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