Tantalum Emerging as A‘Critical’Global Metal

While also considered a critical metal, Smith observed that the tantalum market differed from the tungsten market in that its reserves were more widely dispersed, despite over 50% of the world’s tantalum supply having originated from Africa.

“The risk to the tantalum market is that 16% of supply is estimated to originate from artisanal mining activities, while a further 23% originates from a conflict area,” she noted.

As with a number of minor metals, new technologies, leading to the miniaturisation of electronic devices, had resulted in increased use of tantalum.

Smith commented that tantalum-based capacitors, in particular, were on the rise and were increasingly used in automotive electronics, mobile phones, personal computers and wireless devices.

“Capacitators now account for 60% of tantalum consumption, compared with 51% in 2004. While growth in tantalum demand has been relatively lacklustre over the past 15 years or so.

 Compared to other metals in the electronics sector, this application could lead to three-fold growth from 2007 levels,” Smith said.
 

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