fundamentals of the abu dabbab project, page-3

Guess nobody wanted to talk about tin so back to tantalum.

http://minerals.er.usgs.gov/minerals/pubs/commodity/niobium/mcs-2009-tanta.pdf

"Import Sources (2004-07): Tantalum contained in niobium (columbium) and tantalum ore and concentrate; tantalum metal; and tantalum waste and scrap—Australia, 18%; China, 14%; Brazil, 12%; Japan, 10%; and other, 46%."

"Events, Trends, and Issues: U.S. tantalum apparent consumption in 2008 was estimated to decrease about 7% from that of 2007. Tantalum ore and concentrate, metals, and waste and scrap were the leading imported tantalum materials, with each accounting for approximately equal amounts of tantalum. By weight, tantalum mineral concentrate imports for consumption were supplied 77% by Australia and 20% by Canada; metal, 24% by Brazil and 13% each by China and Japan; and waste and scrap, 18% by Australia, 14% by China, and 12% by Brazil. Capital market problems and the subsequent economic slowdown were expected to result in reduced tantalum material consumption, price, and production."

Robert