Mining, ore preparation and ferroniobium production at CBMM

The paper presents a chronology of the history and development of the Araxa carbonatite complex with respect to the production of niobium products. Mining and geology are described, including the background on methods used for defining reserves. patterns are described in detail, together with descriptions on impurity removal by calcination and leaching. The ore treatment technology and material flow ferroniobium is produced aluminothermically in simple, yet massive, reactors and details of the process are given. (AU)