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Top 5 Tantalum-mining Countries
The DRC and Brazil account for most of the world's tantalum production. Find out which other three countries produced significant amounts of the critical metal in 2022.
Tantalum is a key material in steel manufacturing, as well as many modern technologies — the critical metal is used in capacitors for everything from computers and mobile phones to air conditioners and refrigerators.
Yet despite its importance in the world today, tantalum mining takes place in very few countries. What's more, much of the world’s tantalum is mined in areas known for issues related to conflict minerals, such as the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Rwanda. Together they account for more than half of global production.
Brazil, Nigeria and China were the other top countries for tantalum mining in 2022. Read on to learn more about the world’s largest producers of the metal based on the US Geological Survey’s most recent report on tantalum.
1. Democratic Republic of Congo
Mine production: 860 MT
The DRC, the world’s biggest tantalum producer, has increased its tantalum-mining activities in recent years. In total, it put out 860 metric tons (MT) of the metal in 2022, producing 43 percent of the world’s mined supply.
As mentioned, the DRC has a reputation for human rights violations in its mining sector, including child labor. Various organizations have taken steps to discourage companies from purchasing tantalum produced unethically in the country. For instance, the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act was designed in part to stop the flow of conflict minerals from countries like the DRC. However, companies have faced challenges in ensuring their supply chains are clear, and their efforts have not always been effective.
2. Brazil
Mine production: 370 MT
Brazil is the second largest tantalum-producing country, and one of only two on the list outside of Africa. Overall, Brazil is home to 40,000 MT of tantalum reserves.
The country’s largest tantalum mine is the MIBRA project, owned by Advanced Metallurgical Group (AMS:AMG). In light of issues facing tantalum from Rwandan and Congolese suppliers, Brazil could become a major source of tantalum for end-use companies around the world in the coming years.
3. Rwanda
Mine production: 350 MT
Rwanda is the world’s third biggest tantalum producer, but as mentioned it is associated with conflict minerals issues. It is an open secret that much of Rwanda’s purported mineral production is smuggled from countries like the DRC, where conflict minerals are a problem. For that reason, it is difficult to know how much tantalum is actually produced by Rwandan mines.
Intel (NASDAQ:INTC) is one company aiming to make the Rwandan tantalum-mining industry more transparent as it uses the metal in manufacturing. UK-based technology company Circular has designed a blockchain tracing system to help determine the origins of tantalum produced in Rwanda.
In 2022, Rwanda was the second largest source of tantalum ore and concentrate imports to the US.
4. Nigeria
Mine production: 110 MT
Nigeria came in as the fourth largest tantalum-mining country in 2022. The nation is believed to have large tantalum reserves, although the exact figure remains unknown. Much of its tantalum is found in tantalite ore in the Nigerian states of Nasarawa, Kogi, Osun, Ekiti, Kwara and Cross River.
5. China
Mine production: 78 MT
China is another large tantalum producer, but its production has decreased in recent years. Last year, it was the biggest supplier of tantalum metal and powder to US companies, representing 42 percent of US tantalum imports.
Where will tantalum be mined in the future?
While Australia did not make the top tantalum-mining countries list for 2022, the Oceanic country hosts the world’s second largest tantalum reserves with a total of 99,000 MT (39,000 MT JORC compliant). Tantalum exists in the country alongside lithium deposits, such as in the Bald Hill mine, the Kathleen Valley lithium-tantalum project and of course Talison Lithium’s Greenbushes mine in Western Australia.
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Securities Disclosure: I, Melissa Pistilli, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.
Melissa Pistilli has been reporting on the markets and educating investors since 2006. She has covered a wide variety of industries in the investment space including mining, cannabis, tech and pharmaceuticals. She helps to educate investors about opportunities in a variety of growth markets. Melissa holds a bachelor's degree in English education as well as a master's degree in the teaching of writing, both from Humboldt State University, California.
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Melissa Pistilli has been reporting on the markets and educating investors since 2006. She has covered a wide variety of industries in the investment space including mining, cannabis, tech and pharmaceuticals. She helps to educate investors about opportunities in a variety of growth markets. Melissa holds a bachelor's degree in English education as well as a master's degree in the teaching of writing, both from Humboldt State University, California.
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