Tantalite
Overview
The mineral group tantalite [(Fe, Mn)Ta2O6] is the primary source of the chemical element tantalum. It is chemically similar to columbite, and the two are often grouped together as a semi-singular mineral called coltan or “columbite-tantalite” in many mineral guides. However, tantalite has a much greater specific gravity than columbite (8.0+ compared to columbite’s 5.2). Iron-rich tantalite is the mineral tantalite-(Fe) or ferrotantalite and manganese-rich is tantalite-(Mn) or manganotantalite.
Tantalite is also very close to tapiolite. Those minerals have same chemical composition, but different crystal symmetry orthorhombic for tantalite and tetragonal for tapiolite.
Tantalite is black to brown in both color and streak. Manganese-rich tantalites can be brown and translucent.
Geological Occurrence
OCCURS
in pegmatite bodies and alluvial deposits
OFTEN
mined alongside columbite
CONCENTRATED
by gravity separation methods
Key Uses
TRADE PROCESS
OverviewHere’s what they entails:
1). Cost Insurance and Freight (CIF): Seller will handle everything from loading the vessel, paying for insurance, and sending the product to wherever the buyer wants it delivered.
2). Freight On Board (FOB): Seller pays for the transportation of the goods to the port of shipment, plus loading costs, while the buyer pays the cost of marine freight transport, insurance, unloading, and transportation from the originating port to the final destination.
TRADE SPECIFICATIONS
SpecificsMineral Type: Tantalite/Tantalum
Physical Specification: Based On Buyer's Specification
Quantity: Based On Buyer’s Specification
Price: Negotiable/Metric Tonne
Trade Process: Ex Works/FOB/CIF
Payment Method: 100% irrevocable SBLC or L/C at sight from a top 25 prime bank
Shipping Time: 15 days after confirmation of L/C
Loading Port: Lagos, Nigeria
