columbite tantalite
/kəˈlʌmbaɪt tænˈtælaɪt/
noun
- A black mineral that is a source of the metals niobium and tantalum, often used in electronics and specialty alloys.
- The mine produces columbite-tantalite, which is essential for making capacitors in smartphones.
- Recycling columbite-tantalite from old electronics helps reduce the need for new mining.
- Geologists found a large deposit of columbite-tantalite in the remote mountain region.