Ann: Flash Metals Presentation Deck, page-8

The Chinese are well set with their niobium. The second largest niobium producer in Brazil is a Chinese company named China Molybdenum.

I can't see it taking too long for Australia's western allies to come knocking on MTM's door. The science is well-known so you would think that we could just value-add ourselves.

From Wikipedia:

Niobium is used mostly in alloys, the largest part in special steel such as that used in gas pipelines. Although these alloys contain a maximum of 0.1%, the small percentage of niobium enhances the strength of the steel by scavenging carbide and nitride.

The temperature stability of niobium-containing superalloys is important for its use in jet and rocket engines.

Niobium is used in various superconducting materials. These alloys, also containing titanium and tin, are widely used in the superconducting magnets of MRI scanners.

Other applications of niobium include welding, nuclear industries, electronics, optics, numismatics, and jewellery.

In the last two applications, the low toxicity and iridescence produced by anodization are highly desired properties.

Niobium is considered a technology-critical element.