Niobium development in Africa: potential and risk

CK Nonferrous News, Niobium, a lightweight metal, Niobium Baotite is a silicate mineral rich in barium, niobium, titanium, iron and chlorine, 

which is widely used in the fields of steel, high-temperature alloys, superconducting materials, battery materials, magnetic materials, and optical

 materials, and especially plays a key role in reinforcing steel alloys. Its demand is growing in 5G technology, solar panels and advanced batteries. 

Manufacturers are exploring the use of niobium in energy storage systems and electric vehicle batteries, with the aim of enhancing fast-charging

 capabilities and extending battery life.

While the African continent has a reputation for high risk, its rich mineral resources, including shallow, easily extractable deposits that have not

 been fully exploited, have attracted many foreign mining companies. From the Kalahari copper belt in Botswana to uranium production in Namibia 

to rising gold production in West Africa, Africa's mineral resources have been in the spotlight. Niobium has emerged as an important target for 

new mineral development globally, particularly as it relates to key minerals of the future, and although no niobium mines have yet been produced

 in Africa, Globe Metals and Mining's Kanyika project, located in central Malawi, has been attracting investor interest since it was listed in 2007.

Kanyika is now close to development readiness, having received a US$15 million letter of intent for a loan from Ecobank Malawi.GBE said that 

the first phase of the development financing package is being put in place through intensive discussions on equity financing and pre-shipment 

financing. Successful development of Kanyika is expected to mitigate potential supply risks as three Brazilian niobium mines currently account 

for more than 95% of global supply and no new mine has been brought into production for five decades.GBE plans to utilise the 68.3 million

 tonne resource to produce high purity niobium pentoxide and tantalum pentoxide powders at a cut-off grade of 1,500 ppm niobium pentoxide.

In addition, DMM acquired the Firawa uranium-rare earth-niobium project in Guinea two months ago, which is located in a pro-mining jurisdiction 

with production and development advantages for bauxite, gold and iron ore projects. Substantial exploration capital has been invested and the 

discovery of uranium means that DMM is some five years or more away from the exploration phase.