Production of niobium metal and compounds from tantalite-columbite natural ores and synthetic tantalum-niobium concentrates

The present paper discusses methods for breaking down tantalum-niobium ores and synthetic tantalum-niobium concentrates and for separating tantalum from niobium. For the production of niobium compounds such as chloride, oxide, metal and carbide a variety of different processes have been developed. Among those, the liquid - liquid extraction, chlorination of ores and ferroalloys, the aluminothermic and carbothermic reduction are the most important ones. (AU)