Sinomine Breaks Ground on Second Ta-Nb Recovery Plant at Bikita

[SMM Tantalum Flash] A seller from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) quotes US$4.70 per kg for each one-percentage-point tantalum (Ta) unit. Using an illustrative grade of 35% Ta, the seller calculates US$822,500 in total, or US$164.50 per kg of ore. The grade, quantity and availability have not been independently verified. This is one seller’s asking indication, not a completed transaction or a market benchmark. The proposal divides payment into five instalments of 10%, 20%, 20%, 20% and 30%, with inspection, weighing, assay and document checks built into the acceptance process. It provides for an independent re-assay if the initial result is disputed. No buyer acceptance, payment or shipment has been confirmed. The quote specifies Ta metal units, so it should not be compared directly with Ta₂O₅-based prices without confirming the assay basis.

[SMM Tantalum and Niobium Flash] NioBay Metals reported initial results on 13 October from its 2026 drilling campaign at the Crevier niobium-tantalum project in Québec, Canada. The company said tantalum intersections in the first 13 holes exceeded the average grade in its latest resource estimate; nine holes included mineralised intervals longer than 15 metres above that average. NioBay holds an 80.2% interest in Crevier. These are exploration results, and the company has not declared a new resource or reserve. The first roughly 5,000 metres targeted a northern area previously associated with higher tantalum grades. NioBay says further results will feed a resource update after the campaign, which it expects to finish later in October. Any increase in resources or eventual supply of tantalum and niobium oxides remains unproven; this is neither a mine start nor commercial production.