Summary and Potential

‘Niobium consumption has increased rapidly in recent years and demand is expected to continue to increase as production of
high quality and specialist steels continues to increase, especially in Asia.’ CSA Global

Niobium
Niobium is a metal with unique properties that is increasingly used in the nuclear industry and in heat-resistant super alloys for jet engines and space technology. Niobium alloys are hypoallergenic and so are often utilised in medical implants, such as pacemakers and artificial joints, as well as being particularly suited to jewellery. Niobium becomes a superconductor at low temperatures and is used in the production of super magnets (eg in MRI Scanners and the new HADRON particle accelerator in CERN).

‘The ferroniobium price based on US import figures has increased from ca US$8500/t during the first half of the decade, to US$9100/t in 2006 and reached nearly US$14,200/t in 2007. The benchmark contract price for Brazilian ferroniobium announced for the fourth quarter of 2008 was 5-12% higher than in the previous period, at US$43,000/t FeNb.’ CSA Global

Tantalum
Tantalum has a high melting point and resistance to chemical attack meaning that it is often used as a substitute for platinum and for components for chemical plants, nuclear power plants, aircraft and missiles. It is also a constituent of the capacitors used in computers, mobiles, cameras, PDAs and other electronic devices and is used in surgical equipment such as sutures, artificial joints and plates.of economic minerals.

Cryolite
The primary use for cryolite is as a flux in the smelting of aluminium. Investment in the Kaffo Valley Project offers the opportunity to supply Nigerian Cryolite to Nigeria’s ALSCON aluminium smelter in Akwa Ibom State. This project is now being re-developed under 77.5% ownership by RUSAL, 15% by the Nigerian Government and 7.5% by FerroStaal AG of Germany.

‘Recovery of cryolite in particular could be a significant contributor to project economies, with possible grades of up to 3.5wt %.’ CSA Global