JX Nippon Mining & Metals Corp has tied up with AMG Brasil to produce tantalum concentrate from ore mined from the Mibra mine.

AMG Brasil operates the multi-minerals Mibra mine in Minas Gerais in Brazil where it extracts tantalite and microlite to produce tantalum concentrates. Since 2018, AMG has also operated a lithium concentrate plant at the mine based on spodumene mining.

From this month, under a JV between AMG Brasil and JX, the Japanese company will produce tantalum concentrates from ores produced at the Mibra mine. As part of the deal, JX’s subsidiary ‘Taniobis’ will purchase the concentrates on a priority basis, which will be key in allowing it to expand its business in functional tantalum powders and other advanced materials.

Tantalum is a speciality metal that boosts conductivity and is highly resistant to heat and corrosion. Because of its conductivity, tantalum is used in semiconductors and capacitors so demand for the metal is anticipated to increase in line with the growth in mobile devices and telecommunications infrastructure.

The agreement reportedly provides Taniobis with 20% of its feedstock requirements and significantly will represent a guaranteed source of ‘conflict-free’ material. Tantalum is one of the 3TG elements (tin, tantalum, tungsten and gold) which are so-called ‘conflict minerals’.