Coltan (short for columbite–tantalite and known industrially as tantalite) is a dull black metallic ore from which the elements niobium and tantalum are extracted.

Aug 22, 2024 · Coltan is essential to our lives. Explore what coltan is, what it's used for, where and how it’s mined and why it’s a conflict mineral.

Sep 7, 2025 · Coltan is prized for its high concentrations of tantalum, a mineral critical to the electronics and aerospace industries. It’s essential in the production of capacitors used in …

The mines produce coltan — short for columbite-tantalite — an ore from which the metals tantalum and niobium are extracted. Both are considered critical raw materials by the United …

Jun 8, 2011 · Coltan is short for columbite-tantalite, a dull metallic ore. When refined, coltan becomes a heat resistant powder, metallic tantalum, which has unique properties for storing …

What is Coltan? Coltan is short for Columbite-tantalite - a black tar-like mineral found in major quantities in the Congo. The Congo possesses 64 percent of the world's reserves of coltan. …

Mar 25, 2025 · What is coltan, and why is it a “strategic” mineral? The term “coltan” was coined by Congolese miners to refer to columbite-tantalite, which consists of two minerals: columbite, …

Jan 5, 2026 · Coltan is the name for the composite mineral niobium-tantalite; a dark black metal mineral containing tantalum and niobium. Coltan is a basic component of a range of electronic …

Coltan, short for (Columbite-Tantalite), is a dull metallic ore used in many different industries, mainly for its high content of Tantalite: the main component in the production of Tantalum.

4 Facts to know about Coltan What is Coltan? Coltan is a black, metallic ore from which two critical elements are derived: niobium (formerly columbium) and tantalum.