Ann: Commencement of Bulk Sampling at Equador Niobium Project, page-36

As announced bulk sampling will also be used for prelim met work.
Everyone expects they can separate the Nb from the Ta and other minerals, but to go forward they must have proof.
That is just one of the many steps that have to be taken. If all the steps come up trumps, this could be a cash cow like rarely seen before.

DYOR - IMO they will already have some specific ideas about met work to a concentrate. Ore sorting by gravity or colour comes to mind first, but maybe a fine grind and cyclone or gravity table will produce a more valuable and saleable product.

Almost certainly they would leave final processing to alloying metal, electronic grade Ta or a battery grade product to specialist processors.

Please note that these are just general comments - not specific advise or prediction. If someone has detailed first hand experience of these ores please share.