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Niobium, Tantalum & Gallium
A new discovery in an evolving alkaline system.
In 2026, drilling at the Nakombe target in the Mpyupyu area confirmed a significant niobium discovery, hosted in an alkaline intrusive and accompanied by tantalum and gallium — a combination seen in some of the world's recognised alkaline-hosted deposits. Niobium strengthens the high-performance steel in pipelines, bridges and offshore platforms, and the superconducting alloys inside MRI machines. Tantalum sits within capacitors, surgical implants and cutting tools. Gallium underpins the semiconductors, LEDs and solar cells driving telecoms, AI and renewables. Three strategic metals, one growing discovery, all recognised as critical minerals by major economies.
Niobium
Overview
A rare metal used primarily as an alloying element to significantly enhance the strength, durability and performance of steel and high-performance materials.
Key Uses
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MRI scanners
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Aerospace alloys and jet engine components
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Superconducting materials and advanced technologies
Strategic Importance
Niobium is one of the most supply-concentrated critical minerals on earth: Brazil accounts for approximately 90% of global production, followed by Canada with about 8%.
A tiny niobium addition lets engineers build stronger, lighter steel using less material — yet almost the entire world relies on a single country to supply it. Designated a critical mineral by the US, EU, Australia and Japan, which makes secure new sources strategically valuable.
Tantalum
Overview
A high-density, corrosion-resistant metal used in advanced electronics and high-performance materials, valued for its reliability and stability under extreme conditions.
Key Uses
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Capacitors in smartphones, laptops and medical devices
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Biocompatible surgical implants and prosthetics
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Cutting tools and defence electronics
Strategic Importance
Tantalum capacitors sit inside almost every advanced electronic device, yet much of the world's supply has historically come from conflict-affected regions — the Democratic Republic of Congo accounts for around 42% of tantalum production.
That makes traceable, responsibly sourced tantalum increasingly valuable. It is designated a critical mineral by the US, EU and Australia.
Gallium
Overview
A strategic metal primarily used in semiconductors and compound materials that enable high-speed and high-efficiency electronic systems.
Key Uses
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Semiconductors (GaAs, GaN) for electronics and communications
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LEDs, solar cells and high-frequency devices
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Defence and advanced technology applications
Strategic Importance
Gallium has become one of the most geopolitically contested metals of the decade. China accounts for roughly 98% of the world's primary gallium supply, and Beijing's export controls, first imposed in 2023, escalated to a full ban on US shipments in late 2024.
With almost no production outside China, secure supply is a national priority across the West. Designated critical by the US, EU, Australia and Japan, with demand climbing fast on AI hardware, EVs.