A Company in Hunan Today Bids for 800 mt in Physical Content of Bismuth Concentrates for August Delivery [SMM Bismuth Market Tracking Report]

[SMM Express] Rubaya mining area in North Kivu of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), remains one of the world’s most important sources of coltan, but its strategic importance is matched by significant supply-chain risks. The site has been under the control of the M23 armed group since 2024, with mineral revenues reportedly contributing to the financing of the conflict. Rubaya is estimated to account for a significant share of global coltan supply, making developments there relevant to the wider tantalum market. The situation also highlights the difference between coltan and cobalt risks in the DRC. While cobalt production is concentrated in the southern Copperbelt and is increasingly subject to formalisation and traceability initiatives, coltan from eastern DRC faces a more direct conflict-financing and territorial-control risk. Cross-border movement of minerals through Rwanda has further complicated origin verification and supply-chain due diligence. For buyers, traders and investors, the key issue is therefore not simply whether material comes from the DRC, but where it was mined and who controls the supply chain at the point of extraction. With Rubaya remaining strategically important to global tantalum supply, verified origin, chain-of-custody controls and conflict-risk due diligence will remain critical when sourcing coltan from the region.

[SMM Express] The UK has introduced sanctions targeting Russian companies involved in the import of tantalum and niobium, alongside broader measures aimed at disrupting supply chains supporting Russia’s defence sector. The move reflects growing government attention to the role of strategic metals in the production of advanced military equipment, including missiles, drones and other weapons. The sanctions could increase scrutiny of Russian-linked tantalum and niobium trade flows, potentially contributing to further supply-chain fragmentation and greater demand for alternative sources. The development nevertheless reinforces the growing relationship between critical minerals, trade policy and geopolitical security.

[SMM Express] Nigeria’s position in the columbite-tantalite (coltan) supply chain is gaining attention as the country seeks to expand its role in global critical-mineral markets. The country was estimated to be the world’s second-largest tantalum producer in 2024, accounting for around 16% of global tantalum production. Nigeria also hosts significant deposits of niobium and tantalum-bearing minerals, particularly columbite-tantalite ores. These minerals are strategically important because tantalum is widely used in high-performance electronics and other advanced applications while niobium is essential for specialised steel and superalloys. The emergence of mineral trading companies focused on consolidating production, verifying grades and improving traceability could help connect Nigeria’s fragmented mining sector with international processors. This is particularly relevant for columbite-tantalite, where ore grade, Ta₂O₅/Nb₂O₅ content, origin and chain-of-custody documentation are important factors for international buyers. Nigeria is also moving towards greater local processing and value addition, potentially creating opportunities beyond the export of raw concentrates. As global buyers seek to diversify critical-mineral supply chains, Nigeria’s columbite-tantalite resources could become increasingly relevant to the international tantalum-niobium market. The key challenge remains converting geological potential into consistent, verifiable and compliant supply capable of meeting international processor requirements.