Top 5 Tantalum-mining Countries

1. Democratic Republic of Congo

Mine production: 980 MT

The DRC, the world’s biggest tantalum producer, has increased its tantalum-mining activities in recent years. In total, it put out 980 metric tons (MT) of the metal in 2023, producing nearly 41 percent of the world’s mined supply. Much of the tantalum produced in the DRC comes from coltan, a mineral that hosts tantalum and niobium.

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, in the US, 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.

In 2023, the DRC accounted for 11 percent of US tantalum imports. The US is involved in the development of the Lobito Corridor and the Zambia-Lobito rail line connecting the DRC and Zambia to Angola’s Port of Lobito.

"When complete, the project is expected to reduce transportation time, lower costs, and decrease the carbon footprint associated with exporting metals and other products," the US Geological Survey states.

2. Rwanda

Mine production: 520 MT

Rwanda is the world’s second biggest tantalum producer, with output of 520 MT in 2023.

However, it is difficult to know how much tantalum is actually produced by Rwandan mines. 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, and Rwanda is associated with conflict minerals issues as well.

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 2023, Rwanda was the third largest source of tantalum ore and concentrate imports to the US.

3. Brazil

Mine production: 360 MT

Brazil is the third largest tantalum-producing country, and one of only two top miners of the material located outside of Africa. Overall Brazil is home to 40,000 MT of tantalum reserves.

The country’s largest tantalum mine is the Mibra lithium-tantalum mine, which began operations in 1945 and is 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.

4. Nigeria

Mine production: 110 MT

Nigeria came in as the fourth largest tantalum-mining country in 2023. The country produced 110 MT of tantalum last year, some of which came from artisanal mining.

The nation is believed to have large tantalum reserves, although the exact figure remains unknown. Nigeria is another country that extracts tantalum from coltan. 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: 79 MT

China is the fifth largest tantalum producer, but its production has decreased in recent years. The country has large reserves of 240,000 MT of the metal; however, it currently has only one operation that produces substantial tantalum, the Yichun tantalum and niobium mine.