Shasteel Hikes Si-Mn Alloy Bid Price for August, SMM Reports

[SMM Express] China continues to dominate the export market for Nigerian tantalum concentrates, accounting for an estimated 80%–90% of formal export volumes. Most shipments are purchased by Chinese trading companies and processors, with downstream refining concentrated in major processing hubs such as Jiangxi, Fujian and Guangdong. Europe remains an important secondary destination, with tantalum concentrates supplied to processors and commodity traders serving markets in Germany, Estonia, Belgium and the Netherlands. Smaller volumes are also routed through trading hubs in Malaysia and Singapore before entering downstream supply chains, while interest from the United States is increasing as efforts to diversify critical mineral supply chains continue. A notable share of Nigerian columbite-tantalite production is also understood to move through informal cross-border trade routes before entering formal international markets. These unofficial flows make it more challenging to accurately monitor export volumes, pricing and end-market destinations, highlighting the importance of improved supply chain transparency in the global tantalum market.

[SMM Express] Nigeria's recent columbite-tantalite (coltan) market has been primarily supplied by artisanal and small-scale mining operations, with 20–30% Ta₂O₅ concentrates accounting for the largest share of production and trade. Higher-grade concentrates containing 30–40% Ta₂O₅ are produced through basic beneficiation and generally command premium prices, while 40%+ Ta₂O₅ material remains relatively limited but is highly valued by downstream processors. Market observations indicate that buyers, particularly tantalum processors, generally prefer concentrates containing 30% Ta₂O₅ or higher, as these reduce processing costs and improve refining efficiency. Material grading below 25% Ta₂O₅ typically trades at a discount owing to the additional upgrading required before refining. Nigerian coltan is commonly produced as a mixed columbite-tantalite concentrate, containing both tantalum pentoxide (Ta₂O₅) and niobium pentoxide (Nb₂O₅). The relative proportions vary by mining area, with some deposits yielding niobium-rich concentrates while others contain higher tantalum content.

[SMM Express] Energy Transition Minerals (ETM) has completed the acquisition of the Penouta tin-tantalum-niobium mine in north-west Spain, marking a significant step towards expanding Europe's domestic supply of critical minerals. Following the acquisition, the company is progressing a new exploitation concession required to restart mining operations. Supporting environmental, rehabilitation and operational studies are expected to be completed between late 2026 and the first half of 2027 as part of the regulatory approval process. The Penouta project is one of Europe's few advanced tin, tantalum and niobium assets and is expected to strengthen regional supply chains for strategic minerals used in electronics, renewable energy technologies and advanced manufacturing. The acquisition also reflects growing efforts to diversify critical mineral supply away from traditional producing regions and improve supply security within Europe. Subject to regulatory approvals, the project could contribute to increasing European production of tantalum and niobium while supporting broader initiatives to develop resilient and sustainable critical mineral value chains.