Market

Industrial Market Size

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Niobium Market Size: PR Newswire

Steel Market Size: Grand View Research

INTRODUCTION

What Is Niobium?

Niobium is an important metal with extreme hardness.
Listed as critical to the economy in North America & EU.
Small amounts added to steel to strengthen it.
Less steel needed, called dematerialization.

Host Mineralogy

Hosted by Carbonatite a very rare but ideal host rock.
Carbonatites have much higher probability of being a successful mine – 10x the average.

Supply & Demand Risk

Concentrated supply: 90% of production from Brazil.
Concentrated demand: 80% of Niobium is used in construction & steel production.
Expected increase in demand due to niobium oxide battery technology.

Details and Uses

Niobium

Niobium is a soft grey ductile metallic element that occurs in niobite and was formerly called columbium. Alloys containing niobium are used in the nuclear industry, jet engines and rockets, and oil and gas pipelines. This element also has superconducting properties.

Nuclear Industry

Jet & Rocket Engines

Gas Pipelines

Lanthanum

Lanthanum’s primary end-uses include automotive and imaging/vision applications. Lanthanum prevents corrosion in EV batteries, adds efficiency to petroleum cracking and enables specialized treatments for lenses and vision systems.

Rechargeable Batteries

Night Vision Goggles

Camera & Telescopic Lenses

Cerium

In addition to its role in various metal alloys and glass polishing compounds, Cerium reduces automobile emissions through its use in catalytic converters and enables energy efficiency by powering LED lighting.

Automotive Catalysts

Glass Polishing

LED Lighting

Praseodymium

Neodymium and Praseodymium power the strongest types of rare earth magnets, which enable the conversion of electrical energy into motion via permanent-magnet motors. These motors power EVs and countless industrial processes.

EV Motors

Mobile Devices

Wind Turbines

Neodymium

Neodymium and Praseodymium power the strongest types of rare earth magnets, which enable the conversion of electrical energy into motion via permanent-magnet motors. These motors power EVs and countless industrial processes.

EV Motors

Mobile Devices

Wind Turbines

WHAT IS A CARBONATITE?

How is it Formed?

Deep-seated magmatic intrusions
Rich carbonate mineral makeup, typically appearing as intrusive plugs or in forms like dykes, sills, breccias, or veins
Enriched with elements like niobium, rare earth elements, phosphorus, tantalum, scandium, and titanium
Carbonatites are relatively rare in geology, with notable sites including Araxá, Bayan Obo, Mt. Weld, Mountain Pass, and Palabora
Of the approximately 600 known carbonatites, about 10% mined

Economic Importance

Produce essential elements like niobium and rare earth elements, crucial for high-tech industries.
Carbonatite production drives economic development in energy, defense, and electronics sectors.

Carbonatite Locations Worldwide

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NIOBIUM DEMAND

Industrial Drivers

ENERGY

EV Batteries (fast charging, longer charges). Wind Turbines (longer life), Solar Panels (ultra-compact, highly-efficient)

10% OF DEMAND

EXPECTED GROWTH

MOBILITY

High-strength steel, lighter cars, press-hardened steels are stronger

10% OF DEMAND

EXPECTED GROWTH

CONSTRUCTION

Small addition of niobium reduces amount of total structural steel used (20%) in projects – thus, reduced cost

80% OF DEMAND

EXPECTED GROWTH

Global Niobium Supply

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Supply

Concentrated in one country (Brazil)
Supply risk

Demand

Driven by North America, Europe, Australia
Listed as critical mineral in high-growth countries

CRITICAL MINERAL RISK

Limited Production

Critical mineral by both the EU & United States due to its essential role & limited supply sources.
Nearly 91% produced in Brazil
Niobec sold to Magris Resources for $500 million in 2015.

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