Overview

Please note that the content of this book primarily consists of articles available from Wikipedia or other free sources online. Coltan is the industrial name for columbite-tantalite, a dull black metallic mineral from which the elements niobium (formerly columbium ) and tantalum are extracted. The niobium-dominant mineral is columbite, hence the col half of the term. The mineral concentrates dominated by tantalum are referred to as tantalite. Tantalum from coltan is used to manufacture electronic capacitors, used in consumer electronics products such as cell phones, DVD players, video game systems and computers. Coltan mining has been cited as helping to finance serious conflict, for example in the Congo. Approximately 71% of global tantalum supply in 2008 was met by newly mined product, 20% from recycling, and the remainder from tin slag and inventory. Tantalum minerals are mined in Australia, Brazil, Canada, Democratic Republic of Congo, China, Ethiopia, and Mozambique. Tantalum is also produced in Thailand and Malaysia as a by-product of tin mining and smelting.

Full Product Details

9786137413975

Table of Contents

Reviews

Author Information

Tab Content 6

Customer Reviews

Recent Reviews

Countries Available