Knowra Tantalite Tantalite Tantalite is a tantalum-rich oxide mineral in the columbite–tantalite group. Its composition varies, chiefly involving iron or manganese, tantalum, and niobium.
Columbite–tantalite group : A group of orthorhombic oxide minerals rich in niobium and tantalum, including columbite and tantalite. Tantalite is the tantalum-dominant member of this mineral group.
Oxide mineral : A mineral whose anion is oxygen, commonly combined with one or more metals. Tantalite belongs to this broad mineral class.
Tantalum mining : The extraction of tantalum-bearing minerals from hard-rock deposits or alluvial sediments. Tantalite is one of the principal minerals mined for tantalum.
Tantalite-(Fe) : The iron-dominant species of tantalite, with iron prevailing over manganese at the relevant structural site. It is the iron-rich species within the tantalite series.
Tantalum : A rare, corrosion-resistant chemical element with the symbol Ta and atomic number 73. Tantalum is the defining high-value element concentrated in tantalite.
Solid solution : A single crystalline phase whose composition varies as different elements substitute within its structure. Iron, manganese, niobium, and tantalum vary through substitution in tantalite.
Tantalum capacitors : Electronic capacitors that use tantalum metal or its oxide as a key material. Tantalite-derived tantalum supplies a metal used in compact electronic components.
Tantalite-(Mn) : The manganese-dominant species of tantalite, with manganese prevailing over iron at the relevant structural site. It is the manganese-rich species within the tantalite series.
Niobium : A ductile transition metal with the symbol Nb and atomic number 41. Niobium substitutes for tantalum in tantalite’s crystal structure.
Pegmatite : An exceptionally coarse-grained igneous rock, commonly formed from late-stage, volatile-rich magma. Many tantalite deposits occur in granitic pegmatites enriched in rare elements.
Show all 20