Q3: Tantalum
Search online to look up the tantalum, or coltan, mining industry in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Identify and list what tantalum is used for and which nations or companies the tantalum is exported to.
What is tantalum (also called coltan) used for?
Where is tantalum located, and which nations import it?
Tantalum is a rare metal that is used in the manufacturing of electronic components like capacitors, high power resistors, and certain types of semiconductors. Tantalum is also used in the aerospace industry for components like heat shields and jet engine components.
The Democratic Republic of Congo is a major source of tantalum, with a significant portion of the world's tantalum supply coming from mines in the country. The tantalum mined in the DRC is often exported to nations like China, Russia, and the United States, where it is used in various industries. Some of the major companies involved in the tantalum mining industry in the DRC include Cabot Corporation, Global Advanced Metals, and Power Resources Group.