DOCSLIB.ORG

Tantalum 2016

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Tantalum 2016 2016 Minerals Yearbook TANTALUM [ADVANCE RELEASE] U.S. Department of the Interior May 2019 U.S. Geological Survey Tantalum By Abraham J. Padilla, Zachary T. Ghalayini, and John F. Papp Domestic survey data and tables were prepared by Robin C. Kaiser, statistical assistant. In 2016, U.S. apparent consumption of tantalum (measured Production in contained tantalum) was 458 metric tons (t), 22% less than that revised of 2015 (table 1). No domestic mine production of The leading marketable tantalum materials are tantalum metal tantalum ore was reported. In 2016, the United States exported (unwrought and wrought alloys, metal, and powder), ore, and 604 t of tantalum contained in tantalum-bearing metal, alloys, scrap. In 2016, no domestic tantalum mine production was ores, and concentrates (8% less than that of 2015). In the reported. National tantalum resources are of low grade, some same period, the United States imported 1,060 t of tantalum are mineralogically complex, and most are not commercially contained in alloys, metals, ores, and concentrates (15% less recoverable. Companies in the United States produced tantalum than that of 2015) (table 1). The principal uses of tantalum were alloys, compounds, and metal from imported tantalum- in electronic capacitors and in superalloys for aircraft engines containing materials and from foreign and domestic scrap, but and turbines. Tantalum content of world mine production was the available information was inadequate for a reliable estimate 1,220 t in 2016, a slight increase compared with that of the of output. previous year (table 4). Consumption Because tantalum resources in the United States are of low grade and not commercially recoverable at current prices, Domestic consumption of tantalum materials was developed domestic supply has been a concern. World tantalum resources by the U.S. Geological Survey using the “Columbium and mining capacity are concentrated in Australia, Brazil, (Niobium) and Tantalum,” “Consolidated Consumers,” and Canada, China, Congo (Kinshasa), Nigeria, and Rwanda. “Specialty Ferroalloys” surveys. For tantalum materials, World tantalum reserves are adequate to meet anticipated world one consumer responded to the “Columbium (Niobium) consumption. Materials for recycling and stocks are the only and Tantalum” canvass, one responded to the “Specialty domestic supply sources of tantalum. Ferroalloys” canvass, and 26 responded to the “Consolidated Traded tantalum materials included chemicals, metal, Consumers” canvass. In 2016, the steel industry accounted for potassium hepta fluorotantalate (commercially known as about 80% of reported consumption. K-salt), residue, scrap, slag, and tantalum ores and concentrates. ATI Specialty Alloys and Components, Global Advanced K-salt and tantalum pentoxide do not have unique Harmonized Metals Pty Ltd (GAM), H.C. Starck Inc., and Kemet Corp. Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTS) codes. As a result, consumed tantalum feed materials to produce intermediate a potentially significant part of tantalum material trade is tantalum materials used in industrial manufacturing undocumented. There is no unique 6-digit HTS code for tantalum processes and products. ores and concentrates. As a result, world trade of tantalum ores and concentrates cannot reliably be documented. The absence Prices of unique HTS codes for these tantalum materials eliminates international movement transparency for those materials and may Tantalum materials were not openly traded. Purchase thereby facilitate covert movement of illicit materials. contracts were confidential between buyer and seller; however, trade journals reported composite prices of tantalite based on Legislation and Government Programs interviews with buyers and sellers, and traders declared the value of tantalum materials that they imported or exported The Defense Logistics Agency Strategic Materials (DLA (table 1). In 2016, the annual average price of tantalite ore Strategic Materials), U.S. Department of Defense, did not was $193 per kilogram of contained tantalum pentoxide designate tantalum materials for disposal under its fiscal year (Ta2O5), unchanged from that of 2015. The average monthly 2017 Annual Materials Plan; however, the DLA Strategic tantalite ore price in 2016 was $193 per kilogram of contained Materials assigned 1.71 t of tantalum carbide powder for potential Ta2O5 in January, where it remained through December (CRU upgrade and (or) disposal (Defense Logistics Agency Strategic Group, 2017). Materials, 2016a). The DLA Strategic Materials designated a ceiling quantity of 15.4 t of tantalum for potential acquisition Foreign Trade (Defense Logistics Agency Strategic Materials, 2016b), which was later revised to 21.2 t (Office of the Under Secretary of Tantalum material exports from and imports to the Defense for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics, 2017, p. 12). United States included tantalum metal, ores, powders, and The Department of Labor identified coltan, a niobium- and waste and scrap. In 2016, the United States exported tantalum tantalum-containing ore, from Congo (Kinshasa) as a good materials valued at $154 million (about 12% less than that of produced by child labor and forced labor (U.S. Department of 2015) and imported tantalum materials valued at $197 million Labor, 2016, p. 30, 32). (about 28% less than that of 2015) (table 2). TANTALUM—2016 [ADVANCE RELEASE] 76.1 World Industry Structure determining prices on a weekly basis, and improving rail service (Chambre des Mines, 2016, p. 9). Tantalum global primary production from tantalum United Materials Congo SARL (UMC) signed agreements concentrates, tin slags, and other concentrates was estimated at with La Coopérative Minière pour le Développement Intégré about 1,220 t of contained tantalum in 2016. Congo (Kinshasa) du Congo (CMDIC), La Coopérative Minière LUBI (CML), and Rwanda were the leading producers of tantalum mineral and La Coopérative Minière pour la Production Artisanale concentrates (table 4). Tantalum-bearing tin slags, which are au Katanga (COMIPAK). Under the agreements, CMDIC, byproducts from tin smelting, principally from Asia, Australia, CML, and COMIPAK will become subcontractors to UMC and Brazil, were another source of tantalum. The leading in artisanal mining of tantalum in the Province of Katanga, tantalum ore and concentrate producers were artisanal mining north Congo (Kinshasa). UMC, a wholly owned subsidiary of operations in Congo (Kinshasa) and Rwanda, and vertically Tantalex Resources Corp. (Canada), will hold exclusive rights integrated mining operations of AVX Corp. and Kemet Corp. in to the entirety of the Ta2O5 produced by CMDIC, CML, and Congo (Kinshasa). COMIPAK (Tantalex Resources Corp., 2016a–c). In 2015, the most recent year for which data were available, Ethiopia.—The Ethiopian Minerals, Petroleum and Bio- capacitors accounted for 33% of global tantalum consumption; Fuel Corporation (EMPBC) began operating in June. It carbides, 8%; chemicals, 11%; mill products, 9%; sputtering was established by the Ethiopian Government to replace targets, 17%; and superalloys, 22% (Roskill Information the Ethiopian Mineral Development Share Company, a Services Ltd., 2016, p. 1, 18–21, 108–110). Government-owned mining operation, and to engage in exploration, development, and trading of petroleum; exploration World Review and development of minerals; and development of biofuels. Australia.—In June, Mineral Resources Ltd. acquired from In addition, EMPBC sought an international partner with the GAM the Wodgina Mine and its associated assets, including the technological and financial capability to jointly develop a power station, camp, and mineral processing equipment. GAM manufacturing plant to process tantalum concentrate; to produce retained the mineral rights to the mine’s substantial 40,000-t tantalum value-added products within Ethiopia, such as foil, tantalum reserves (Mineral Resources Ltd., 2016). GAM powder, and wire; and to recover lithium that is associated with continued to process and concentrate crude tantalum material at the tantalum (Bekele, 2016; Precise Ethiopia, 2016). its Greenbushes Mine in Western Australia (Global Advanced Mozambique.—Highland African Mining Co., previously Metals Pty Ltd, 2016). known as Noventa Ltd., is the owner of the Marropino and General Mining Corp. and Galaxy Resources Ltd. planned to Morrua deposits, which were acquired in 2003. The Marropino restart production at the Mt. Cattlin spodumene and tantalum Mine produced an estimated 91 t of Ta2O5 in 2012 but has project near Ravensthorpe under a 3-year lease agreement. been closed since 2013 owing to the radioactivity level of the Galaxy put Mt. Cattlin on care-and-maintenance status in material. Production from tailings and soft rock at Morrua has July 2012. The operation redesigned its mineral processing to an output capacity of 90 t/yr (Roskill Information Services Ltd., achieve a throughput of 800,000 metric tons per year (t/yr) and 2016, p. 80). to increase yield of tantalum concentrate to 70% to 75% from Namibia.—African Tantalum Pty. Ltd. (75% owned by 50% to 55%, which would produce approximately 79 t/yr of Kennedy Ventures plc) recommisioned the Tantalite Valley Mine contained Ta O (Galaxy Resources Ltd., 2016). 2 5 (TVM) near Warmbad, Karas District, Namibia. Following Pilbara Minerals Ltd. announced that the commisioning upgrades to plant equipment, TVM returned to commercial process for their Tabba Tabba tantalum project was suspended indefinitely. Engineering assessments found
Load more

Recommended publications
  • LPI to Recommence Exploration Activity Adjacent to the Greenbushes Lithium Mine
    ASX RELEASE LPI.ASX 7 January 2021 LPI to Recommence Exploration Activity Adjacent to the Greenbushes Lithium Mine Lithium Power International Limited (ASX: LPI) (LPI or the Company) is pleased to provide an update on its exploration strategy in Western Australia, focused on the company’s Greenbushes project in the south-west of the state. The project is wholly-owned by LPI and is located adjacent to the world’s highest grade spodumene lithium mine. HIGHLIGHTS • The 100 per cent-owned Greenbushes tenements cover 39,800 ha north and south of the Greenbushes mine owned and operated by major lithium producers Albemarle and Tianqi. • The northern tenement is immediately adjacent to the Greenbushes mine and has been the focus of most exploration activity by LPI in late 2019 and early 2020. • Exploration defined the 3 by 1 km Balingup East Target as a continuation of the large arsenic lithium halo around the nearby giant Greenbushes lithium mine. 201 Surface samples were taken over 60 km2, with further sampling planned to define drill targets. • LPI identified further drill targets in the East Kirup area to the north of Balingup, over 3 by 0.5 km, with pegmatite outcrop in the prospective amphibolite unit. • LPI has received drilling approval and will be conducting additional geochemical sampling before drilling commences. Project Background LPI wishes to update shareholders regarding the reactivation of the company’s Western Australian exploration projects. They have been on hold during most of 2020 due to Covid restrictions and low lithium prices. We are now seeing substantial improvement in current and forecast demand for lithium, with prices forecast to increase during 2021 and beyond.
    [Show full text]
  • Comprehensive Strategic Analysis of the Tantalum Industry
    COMPREHENSIVE STRATEGIC ANALYSIS OF THE TANTALUM INDUSTRY by Joel JEANGRAND PROJECT SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION In the Faculty of Business Administration O Joel JEANGRAND 2005 SIMON FRASER UNIVERSITY Summer 2005 All rights reserved. This work may not be reproduced in whole or in part, by photocopy or other means, without permission of the author. APPROVAL Name: Joel Jeangrand Degree: Master of Business Administration Title of Project: Comprehensive Strategic Analysis of the Tantalum Industry Supervisory Committee: Senior Supervisor Mark Selman, Adjunct Professor Second Reader Neil Abramson, Associate Professor Date Approved: DECLARATION OF PARTIAL COPYRIGHT LICENCE The author, whose copyright is declared on the title page of this work, has granted to Simon Fraser University the right to lend this thesis, project or extended essay to users of the Simon Fraser University Library, and to make partial or single copies only for such users or in response to a request from the library of any other university, or other educational institution, on its own behalf or for one of its users. The author has further granted permission to Simon Fraser University to keep or make a digital copy for use in its circulating collection, and, without changing the content, to translate the thesislproject or extended essays, if technically possible, to any medium or format for the purpose of preservation of the digital work. The author has further agreed that permission for multiple copying of this work for scholarly purposes may be granted by either the author or the Dean of Graduate Studies.
    [Show full text]
  • AUSTRALIA's Identified Mineral Resources 2009
    AUSTRALIA’S IDENTIFIED MINERAL RESOURCES 2009 AUSTRALIA’S IDENTIFIED MINERAL RESOURCES 2009 ­­Australian Government Geoscience Australia Resources, Energy and Tourism Portfolio Minister for Resources, Energy and Tourism: The Hon. the Hon Martin Ferguson AM, MP Geoscience Australia Chief Executive Officer: Dr Neil Williams © Commonwealth of Australia, 2008 This work is copyright. Apart from any fair dealings for the purposes of study, research, criticism, or review, as permitted under the Copyright Act 1968, no part may be reproduced by any process without written permission. Copyright is the responsibility of the Chief Executive Officer, Geoscience Australia. Requests and enquiries should be directed to the Chief Executive Officer, Geoscience Australia, GPO Box 378, Canberra ACT 2601. ABN: 80 091 799 039. Geoscience Australia has tried to make the information in this product as accurate as possible. However, it does not guarantee that the information is totally accurate or complete. Therefore, you should not rely solely on this information when making a commercial decision. ISSN 1327-1466 Bibliographic reference: Geoscience Australia 2009. Australia’s Identified Mineral Resources 2009. Geoscience Australia, Canberra. FRONT COVER: Iron ore loading at Cape Lambert port facilities, Western Australia (Rio Tinto Iron Ore). DESI GN AND LAYOUT: Henry Pippan, Geoscience Australia AUSTRALIA’S IDENTIFIED MINERAL RESOURCES 2009 Foreword Geoscience Australia provides important information on Australia’s future mineral production capacity. Australia’s Identified Mineral Resources is an annual nation-wide assessment which takes a long term view of what is potentially economic. Data on mining company estimates of ore reserves, which are generally based on short to medium-term commercial considerations, are included for comparison.
    [Show full text]
  • 2007 Minerals Yearbook
    2007 Minerals Yearbook NIOBIUM (COLUMBIUM) AND TANTALUM U.S. Department of the Interior May 2010 U.S. Geological Survey NIOBIUM (COLUMBIUM) AND TANTALUM By John F. Papp Domestic survey data and tables were prepared by Robin C. Kaiser, statistical assistant, and the world production table was prepared by Lisa D. Miller, international data coordinator. In 2007, U.S. niobium (Nb) apparent consumption (measured powder. In 2007, neither niobium nor tantalum domestic mine in contained niobium) was 9,020 metric tons (t), a decrease of production was reported. The last signifi cant mining of niobium 10% compared with that of 2006. U.S. tantalum (Ta) apparent and tantalum in the United States was during the Korean War consumption (measured in contained tantalum) was 644 t, an (1950-53), when increased military demand resulted in niobium increase of 29% compared with that of 2006 (revised). No and tantalum ore shortages. domestic mine production of niobium or tantalum ore was The Kougarok prospect, on Seward Peninsula in Alaska, reported. hosts signifi cant tantalum resources in a lithium-fl uorine granite The leading use of niobium is as an alloying element in steel. (Fetherston, 2004, p. 69). The leading use of tantalum is in electronic capacitors. Because the United States has no niobium or tantalum Consumption ore reserves, domestic supply has been a concern during every national military emergency since World War I. World Niobium and tantalum were consumed in the United States niobium and tantalum ore resources and mining capacity are by the electronics and metallurgical industries. Niobium geographically concentrated in Brazil (niobium and tantalum) masteralloys—ferroniobium and niobium-nickel alloy—were and Canada (niobium) in the Western Hemisphere and in consumed to produce steel and superalloys.
    [Show full text]
  • Investment in Tier 1 Lithium Business to Complement the World-Class Nova Ni-Cu-Co Mine
    Not for Distribution or Release in the United States CREATING A UNIQUE CLEAN ENERGY METALS COMPANY Investment in Tier 1 lithium business to complement the world-class Nova Ni-Cu-Co mine 9 December 2020 For personal use only Not for Distribution or Release in the United States Not for Distribution or Release in the United States Important Notes The following notice and disclaimer applies to this investor presentation (Presentation) and you are therefore advised to read this Each recipient of this Presentation should make its own enquiries and investigations regarding all information in this Presentation carefully before reading or making any other use of this Presentation or any information contained in this Presentation. By accepting including but not limited to the assumptions, uncertainties and contingencies which may affect future operations of IGO and the this Presentation you represent and warrant that you are entitled to receive this Presentation in accordance with the restrictions, and impact that different future outcomes might have on IGO. Information in this Presentation is not intended to be relied upon as advice agree to be bound by the limitations, contained within it. to investors or potential investors and has been prepared without taking account of any person’s individual investment objectives, This Presentation is dated 9 December 2020 and has been prepared by IGO Limited (ABN 46 092 786 304) (IGO). This financial situation or particular needs. Before making an investment decision, prospective investors should consider the Presentation has been prepared in connection with IGO’s: appropriateness of the information having regard to their own investment objectives, financial situation and needs and seek • proposed acquisition of a 49% non-controlling shareholding in TL Energy Australia (Lithium HoldCo), the 51% owner of the appropriate advice, including legal, accounting and taxation advice appropriate to their jurisdiction and circumstances.
    [Show full text]
  • CREATING a UNIQUE CLEAN ENERGY METALS COMPANY Investment in Tier 1 Lithium Business to Complement the World-Class Nova Ni-Cu-Co Mine
    Not for Distribution or Release in the United States CREATING A UNIQUE CLEAN ENERGY METALS COMPANY Investment in Tier 1 lithium business to complement the world-class Nova Ni-Cu-Co mine 9 December 2020 Not for Distribution or Release in the United States Not for Distribution or Release in the United States Important Notes The following notice and disclaimer applies to this investor presentation (Presentation) and you are therefore advised to read this Each recipient of this Presentation should make its own enquiries and investigations regarding all information in this Presentation carefully before reading or making any other use of this Presentation or any information contained in this Presentation. By accepting including but not limited to the assumptions, uncertainties and contingencies which may affect future operations of IGO and the this Presentation you represent and warrant that you are entitled to receive this Presentation in accordance with the restrictions, and impact that different future outcomes might have on IGO. Information in this Presentation is not intended to be relied upon as advice agree to be bound by the limitations, contained within it. to investors or potential investors and has been prepared without taking account of any person’s individual investment objectives, This Presentation is dated 9 December 2020 and has been prepared by IGO Limited (ABN 46 092 786 304) (IGO). This financial situation or particular needs. Before making an investment decision, prospective investors should consider the Presentation has been prepared in connection with IGO’s: appropriateness of the information having regard to their own investment objectives, financial situation and needs and seek • proposed acquisition of a 49% non-controlling shareholding in TL Energy Australia (Lithium HoldCo), the 51% owner of the appropriate advice, including legal, accounting and taxation advice appropriate to their jurisdiction and circumstances.
    [Show full text]
  • Niobium and Tantalum
    Niobium and Tantalum Chapter M of Critical Mineral Resources of the United States—Economic and Environmental Geology and Prospects for Future Supply Figure M4. Professional Paper 1802–M U.S. Department of the Interior U.S. Geological Survey Periodic Table of Elements 1A 8A 1 2 hydrogen helium 1.008 2A 3A 4A 5A 6A 7A 4.003 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 lithium beryllium boron carbon nitrogen oxygen fluorine neon 6.94 9.012 10.81 12.01 14.01 16.00 19.00 20.18 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 sodium magnesium aluminum silicon phosphorus sulfur chlorine argon 22.99 24.31 3B 4B 5B 6B 7B 8B 11B 12B 26.98 28.09 30.97 32.06 35.45 39.95 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 potassium calcium scandium titanium vanadium chromium manganese iron cobalt nickel copper zinc gallium germanium arsenic selenium bromine krypton 39.10 40.08 44.96 47.88 50.94 52.00 54.94 55.85 58.93 58.69 63.55 65.39 69.72 72.64 74.92 78.96 79.90 83.79 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 rubidium strontium yttrium zirconium niobium molybdenum technetium ruthenium rhodium palladium silver cadmium indium tin antimony tellurium iodine xenon 85.47 87.62 88.91 91.22 92.91 95.96 (98) 101.1 102.9 106.4 107.9 112.4 114.8 118.7 121.8 127.6 126.9 131.3 55 56 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 cesium barium hafnium tantalum tungsten rhenium osmium iridium platinum gold mercury thallium lead bismuth polonium astatine radon 132.9 137.3 178.5 180.9 183.9 186.2 190.2 192.2 195.1 197.0 200.5 204.4 207.2 209.0 (209) (210)(222) 87 88 104 105 106 107 108 109 110 111 112
    [Show full text]
  • ASX RELEASE 9 December 2020
    ASX RELEASE 9 December 2020 NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION OR RELEASE IN THE UNITED STATES IGO TO ACQUIRE INTEREST IN GLOBAL LITHIUM JV WITH TIANQI — SECURING EXPOSURE TO THE TIER 1 GREENBUSHES AND KWINANA ASSETS IGO Limited (ASX: IGO) (IGO or the Company) is pleased to announce that it has entered into a binding agreement (Agreement) with Tianqi Lithium Corporation (SZSE: 002466) (Tianqi) to acquire a 49% non- controlling interest in Tianqi Lithium Energy Australia Pty Ltd (Lithium HoldCo) through a subscription for new shares in Lithium HoldCo. This will provide IGO with a 24.99% indirect interest in the world-class Greenbushes Lithium Mining and Processing Operation (Greenbushes) and a 49% indirect interest in the Kwinana Lithium Hydroxide Plant (Kwinana), both located in Western Australia, for a total consideration of US$1.4 billion (A$1.9 billion1) (Transaction). Lithium HoldCo will become the exclusive vehicle for all lithium related investments for IGO and Tianqi outside of China2. IGO intends to fund the Transaction through a combination of A$1,100 million new debt facilities (New Debt), an equity raising of up to A$766 million (Equity Raising), and existing cash reserves of between A$85 million and A$149 million3. Transaction Highlights • Transformational transaction aligned with IGO’s strategy of becoming a globally relevant supplier of metals critical to enabling clean energy • Establishes IGO as a leading ASX-listed company for production of clean energy metals with a high- quality portfolio of Western Australian assets across lithium,
    [Show full text]
  • Bercshop Strategic Metals Presentation
    Strategic Metals in Batteries: Clean Tech Possibilities BERCShop, UC Berkeley Laurie Reemeyer, Haas FTMBA 2010 Principal Consultant, ResourceFul Paths 01 Mar 2017 ProFitably reducing impacts From mining 1 Outline • Introduction to metals and where they come From • Battery technologies – old and new • Batteries ingredients supply – extraction and economics • Lithium, Cobalt, Nickel, Manganese • Complexities oF geology, geography, trade • Sustainability Factors • Circular economy opportunities – reuse and recycling • Conclusions ProFitably reducing impacts From mining 2 Metals and where they come From ProFitably reducing impacts From mining 3 Where do metals come from? • All metals in use, at one point, were mined • Once metals extracted and produced there is potential for recycling ProFitably reducing impacts From mining 4 Metals mining 101 • Geological concentrations oF metals, usually in mineral Form: • Copper in chalcopyrite, a copper iron sulFide – CuFeS2 • Cobalt in cobaltite, a cobalt arsenic sulFide – CoAsS • Nickel in Ni bearing limonite (iron rich clay), etc. • Mining method – depends on geology, geometry and economic parameters • Processing to recover and reFine metals – depends on geology, customer requirements, cost oF energy and consumables, location ProFitably reducing impacts From mining 5 Resources and reserves • Leading codes in the world: • JORC - Australia • CIM – Canada (NI 43-101) • SpeciFic deFinitions oF resources and reserves, require competent or qualiFied persons to assess • Resources and reserves determined by geological attributes and economics (metal prices, costs) => economic cut-ofF grade • Reserves needed to get Funded to build a mine ProFitably reducing impacts From mining 6 Mineral resource • “a concentration or occurrence oF natural, solid, inorganic, or fossilized organic material in or on the Earth’s crust in such form and quantity and of such a grade or quality that it has reasonable prospects for economic extraction.
    [Show full text]
  • Mineral Profiles | Niobium-Tantalum
    Niobium–tantalum April 2011 Definitions, mineralogy and Niobium (Nb) Tantalum (Ta) nt deposits Atomic number 41 73 opme Atomic weight 92.90638 180.9479 vel Definitions and characteristics de Density at 293 K 8.581 16.677 l Niobium (Nb) and tantalum (Ta) are transition metals with 3 ra UK very similar physical and chemical properties, and are (g/cm ) ne mi thus commonly grouped together (Table 1). Niobium was Melting point °C 2468 2996 e bl discovered in 1801 by Charles Hatchett, and was originally Boiling point °C 4930 5425 na ai named ‘columbium’; it was subsequently also recog- Vickers hardness 1320 873 st nised by a German chemist, Heinrich Rose, who named su MPa r it ‘niobium’. The names were used interchangeably for fo Electrical 152 at 0°C 131 at 20°C re some time, before ‘niobium’ was finally accepted in 1949. nt resistivity (nano Tantalum was discovered in 1802 by a Swedish scientist, Ce Minerals ohm-metres) Anders Ekeberg. Crystal structure Body centred Body centred Niobium is a shiny, ductile metal with a white lustre. Nat- cubic cubic urally-occurring niobium consists almost exclusively of the Table 1 Selected properties of niobium and tantalum. isotope 93Nb; natural tantalum is mainly 181Ta, with 0.012 per cent 180Ta. A number of other radioactive isotopes of The columbite-tantalite mineral group (Figure 1) is the both elements have been synthesised. most common group of tantalum- and niobium-bearing minerals. Wodginite is also an important source of The overall abundances of niobium and tantalum in the tantalum. The pyrochlore group (Figure 2) is of great average continental crust are relatively low, niobium economic importance, particularly for niobium.
    [Show full text]
  • United States Securities and Exchange Commission Form
    UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549 _________________________________ FORM 8-K _________________________________ CURRENT REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported) February 2, 2021 _________________________________ ALBEMARLE CORPORATION (Exact name of Registrant as specified in charter) _________________________________ Virginia 001-12658 54-1692118 (State or other jurisdiction (Commission (IRS employer of incorporation) file number) identification no.) 4250 Congress Street, Suite 900 Charlotte, North Carolina 28209 (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code) Registrant’s telephone number, including area code (980) 299-5700 Not applicable (Former name or former address, if changed since last report) _________________________________ Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below): ☐ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425) ☐ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a- 12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12) ☐ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b)) ☐ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c)) Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (17 CFR 230.405) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (17 CFR 240.12b-2) Emerging growth company ☐ If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.
    [Show full text]
  • WA Battery Minerals Profile – November 2019 Includes the Production and Exports/Sales of Battery Minerals Not Exclusively for Battery Manufacturing
    Western Australia Battery Minerals Profile November 2019 WORLD BATTERY MINERALS MARKET Major global battery minerals mine production: 2018 Western Australia is the world’s largest lithium producer and a significant producer Lithium(a) of other battery minerals. Graphite Western Australia accounted for 57% of Nickel global lithium production in 2018, followed by Chile (19%), China (9%) and Argentina Cobalt (7%). Manganese Western Australia ranked among the top 5 Rare earths global producers for nickel (7% global share), manganese (6%), rare earths (6%) Copper and cobalt (3%) in 2018. Vanadium China was the world’s largest producer of 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% rare earths (71%), graphite (68%) and vanadium (54%) in 2018, and a major Western Australia China Rest of Asia(b) producer of all other battery minerals. Russia Americas Africa In 2018, the world’s largest producer of: Other • Nickel was Indonesia (24%). (a) Lithium content of brine, spodumene, other hard rock or clay mine production. (b) Excludes China. • Cobalt was Congo (64%). Source: US Geological Survey, Mineral Commodity Summaries; Office of the Chief Economist, Resources and Energy Quarterly; and Geoscience Australia. • Manganese was South Africa (31%). • Copper was Chile (28%). World lithium-ion battery manufacturing capacity forecast1 Lithium-ion batteries are made from 1,500GWh mostly lithium, followed by graphite, nickel, cobalt and manganese. World lithium-ion battery manufacturing capacity rose 54% to 335 gigawatt hours 1,000GWh (GWh) in 2018. China accounted for 74% of global lithium-ion battery manufacturing capacity in 2018, followed by the United States 500GWh (9%), Japan (8%), South Korea (4%) and Europe(a) (3%).
    [Show full text]