A new guide to niobium and tantalum has been published by the British Geological Survey (BGS) on its http://www.mineralsuk.com/ website. These little-known metals have some unique properties which make them essential ingredients in a wide range of products, from mobile phones to artificial hips. As commodity prices rise and access to some raw materials becomes more difficult, a small group of so-called ‘critical metals’ is causing particular concern. Niobium and tantalum are two of the most widely used metals on this critical list. Because of their unique properties and their essential role in the manufacture of steel and electronic capacitors, they are hard to substitute.

Supply concerns surrounding these metals have been heightened because illegal mining of niobium-tantalum ore (sometimes known as ‘coltan’) has been linked to conflict in some parts of Africa.

The newly-published Niobium-Tantalum Commodity Profile from the BGS provides a concise, authoritative and easy to understand guide to the origins, production and trade of these important metals. Andrew Bloodworth, Head of Minerals and Waste at the BGS said: “Our profile on niobium and tantalum is the latest in a much-respected series from the BGS on critical metals, including rare earths, platinum and tungsten. Its publication is timely as it follows the recent release of the report of the House of Commons Science and Technology Committee inquiry into Strategically Important Metals which calls for more understanding of the role of these metals in our economy”.

The Niobium-Tantalum Commodity Profile is available here: www.bgs.ac.uk/downloads/start.cfm?id=2033