tantalum
Coverage of tantalum in the Nexus archive.
- How Chinese scientists created an alloy that can survive 2,400 degrees Celsius
Chinese scientists developed an ultra-high-temperature alloy using tantalum that retains strength above 2,000 degrees Celsius, suitable for aerospace, hypersonic vehicles, and nuclear reactors. Most metals fail under such extreme heat by melting or softening, but this alloy challenges those limits.
- Mozambique mining law looks to tighten state control
Mozambique will take a 15% stake in domestic mining ventures and ban exports of non-processed minerals to prioritize local processing. The policy aligns with similar moves in other African nations, including DR Congo and Zimbabwe, to increase government control over critical minerals like graphite, gold, copper, titanium, and tantalum. Experts warn that smelting and refining could introduce volatility into the value chain.
- DRC adds lithium to higher-tax strategic minerals list
DR Congo added lithium, niobium, tantalum, tungsten, and uranium to a higher 10% royalty tax bracket to increase revenue from natural resources. The move follows similar strategies by other African nations, including Ghana's sliding-scale gold royalties and Zimbabwe's lithium export suspension.