A symposium on the extraction, working and applications of tantalum and niobium is being planned for the fall of 1988, the Tantalum- Niobium International Study Centre reports.
The tantalum industry, the centre says, is expecting “a slightly better future” and since the last major meeting on tantalum occurred in 1978 and on niobium in 1981, the time is considered right for such a review.
Supply and demand for tantalum, out of balance since 1982, is expected to remain so for two or three more years. However, the market for tantalum raw materials, tantalite and slag, should start to get better as processor inventories fall. The collapse of the tin market hurt byproduct tantalum and has improved conditions for tantalite concentrates.
About 50% of tantalum production finds its way into electronic capacitors, 30% into carbide tools for metal cutting, 10% becomes a superalloy additive, and 10% is used for equipment fabrication, mainly for corrosive chemicals.
Niobium is used in steel making and has application in superalloys.
Last week The Northern Miner reported Tantalum Mining Corp. of Canada plans to resume production of tantalum concentrates at Bernic Lake, Man., next year.
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