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Niobium’s rise in West Arunta sparks ASX juniors into global hunt
Niobium, a vital element used to create nanocrystalline materials, is almost rubber-stamped to spark a new wave of technological advances and the West Arunta critical minerals region in WA is emerging as a vital global source of the element.

That’s because Brazil produces ~92% of the world’s of niobium (Nb), predominantly from the China-backed CBMM mine (90%).

As the Middle Kingdom looks to shift the focus of production and manufacturing towards its domestic market, the rest of the globe is looking to create its own supply chains of critical minerals that China has long been heavily relied on for.

We’ve already seen China flex on this, when it enacted export controls of germanium, gallium and graphite last year, sparking a scramble by companies and governments to find new supplies.

Use in new nanocrystalline materials

Nanocrystalline materials are a new generation of advanced soft magnetic alloys that are used to control and convert electricity. By adding niobium to the alloys, the materials can have a crystal size of <10 nanometers. That means high permeability and a high heat tolerance – perfect for making miniature and lightweight materials that advanced technology is increasingly in need of.

They’re already used in high-performance solar, wind turbines and create more efficient industrial applications for a range of technologies. For EVs, niobium’s use in new lithium and titanium oxide batteries could be an absolute game changer by significantly cutting down charge times and increasing driving range.

UK-based Echelon Technologies has raised $37m for its fast-charging battery material so it can scale up production of its XNO niobium battery anode product, backed by miner CBMM and in partnership with major OEMs.

Another British company, Nyobolt, has developed its own 35kWh lithium-ion battery with niobium, which charges a vehicle from 10% to 80% in under five minutes, as showcased in a live demonstration.

Nyobolt’s fast-charging niobium-powered prototype. Source: Nyobolt.

The bulk of niobium is used to strengthen HSLA steel products, yet demand for higher-capacity EV motors can be seen as the primary kicker that’s helping to gain market share for niobium at the moment.

This small, yet significant tweak using it for batteries has enormous potential for mass market adoption.

Leading niobium-focused Encounter Resources (ASX:ENR), exec chair Will Robinson is backing the element to be an important cog in near-future commercialised tech innovations.

“There’s a sound argument to suggest that niobium use is going to expand, particularly with a new wave of battery applications and its growing use in steel alloys on the way,” Robinson says.

“It’s also encouraging to see companies out of Japan such as Toshiba already looking to incorporate niobium into its product base.”

Toshiba says it’s going to use niobium titanium oxide (NTO) as a next-gen anode material that increases battery capacity and has ~3X more volume density than lithium titanium oxide.

It’s also successfully increased the crystallinity of NTO particles without compromising the longer life and rapid-charging performance, making it possible to extend travel distance. The global power innovator is set to release its next generation of niobium-charged batteries next year.

Jury is out on how to find niobium

Primary or even substantial secondary niobium deposits are far and few between, or at least they have been since economic mineralisation outside China has largely been ignored over the decades. Current research aims to understand how niobium is transported on a geological scale and deposited in the Earth’s crust, which is key to figuring out where to look for it.

Looking at the CBMM mine in Brazil, a study last year found its niobium has magma-enriched origins, providing geologists with a starting point for exploration efforts. But just how the pyrochlore mineralisation – which constitutes the main Nb ore in carbonatite deposits in Brazil – is formed, remains a mystery.

As it stands, the 460Mt CBMM mine is by far the global go-to supply for ferroniobium, running between 2.5-3% Nb2O5, while the nearby Anglo American Niobio Brasil deposit contains 18Mt at 1.34% Nb2O5 and adds an extra 2% to global production.

Just 8% comes from outside South America at IAMGOLD Corp’s 2.6Mt at 0.41% Nb2O5 Niobec mine in Quebec, Canada.

All three projects turn the pyrochlore mineral to about ~55-60% niobium oxide concentrate that’s inturn processed into mainly ferroniobium and other metal products.

Source: WA1.

Luni resource spreads niobium fever in West Arunta

In just two years, WA1 Resources (ASX:WA1) has unearthed its Luni discovery into a 200Mt deposit – the most significant niobium resource to be found in more than 70 years.

It’s now a >$1bn market-capped stock, raising $60m to accelerate project development workstreams and expand exploration across the greater tenement package, including its P2 carbonatite prospect.

In that time, ASX explorers have descended around the deposit – another nearology experiment, which could potentially grow West Arunta into a district-scale niobium and rare earths hub.

Niobium, a vital element used to create nanocrystalline materials, is almost rubber-stamped to spark a new wave of technological advances and the West Arunta critical minerals region in WA is emerging as a vital global source of the element.

That’s because Brazil produces ~92% of the world’s of niobium (Nb), predominantly from the China-backed CBMM mine (90%).

As the Middle Kingdom looks to shift the focus of production and manufacturing towards its domestic market, the rest of the globe is looking to create its own supply chains of critical minerals that China has long been heavily relied on for.

We’ve already seen China flex on this, when it enacted export controls of germanium, gallium and graphite last year, sparking a scramble by companies and governments to find new supplies.

Use in new nanocrystalline materials

Nanocrystalline materials are a new generation of advanced soft magnetic alloys that are used to control and convert electricity. By adding niobium to the alloys, the materials can have a crystal size of <10 nanometers. That means high permeability and a high heat tolerance – perfect for making miniature and lightweight materials that advanced technology is increasingly in need of.

They’re already used in high-performance solar, wind turbines and create more efficient industrial applications for a range of technologies. For EVs, niobium’s use in new lithium and titanium oxide batteries could be an absolute game changer by significantly cutting down charge times and increasing driving range.

UK-based Echelon Technologies has raised $37m for its fast-charging battery material so it can scale up production of its XNO niobium battery anode product, backed by miner CBMM and in partnership with major OEMs.

Another British company, Nyobolt, has developed its own 35kWh lithium-ion battery with niobium, which charges a vehicle from 10% to 80% in under five minutes, as showcased in a live demonstration.

Nyobolt’s fast-charging niobium-powered prototype. Source: Nyobolt.

The bulk of niobium is used to strengthen HSLA steel products, yet demand for higher-capacity EV motors can be seen as the primary kicker that’s helping to gain market share for niobium at the moment.

This small, yet significant tweak using it for batteries has enormous potential for mass market adoption.

Leading niobium-focused Encounter Resources (ASX:ENR), exec chair Will Robinson is backing the element to be an important cog in near-future commercialised tech innovations.

“There’s a sound argument to suggest that niobium use is going to expand, particularly with a new wave of battery applications and its growing use in steel alloys on the way,” Robinson says.

“It’s also encouraging to see companies out of Japan such as Toshiba already looking to incorporate niobium into its product base.”

Toshiba says it’s going to use niobium titanium oxide (NTO) as a next-gen anode material that increases battery capacity and has ~3X more volume density than lithium titanium oxide.

It’s also successfully increased the crystallinity of NTO particles without compromising the longer life and rapid-charging performance, making it possible to extend travel distance. The global power innovator is set to release its next generation of niobium-charged batteries next year.

Jury is out on how to find niobium

Primary or even substantial secondary niobium deposits are far and few between, or at least they have been since economic mineralisation outside China has largely been ignored over the decades. Current research aims to understand how niobium is transported on a geological scale and deposited in the Earth’s crust, which is key to figuring out where to look for it.

Looking at the CBMM mine in Brazil, a study last year found its niobium has magma-enriched origins, providing geologists with a starting point for exploration efforts. But just how the pyrochlore mineralisation – which constitutes the main Nb ore in carbonatite deposits in Brazil – is formed, remains a mystery.

As it stands, the 460Mt CBMM mine is by far the global go-to supply for ferroniobium, running between 2.5-3% Nb2O5, while the nearby Anglo American Niobio Brasil deposit contains 18Mt at 1.34% Nb2O5 and adds an extra 2% to global production.

Just 8% comes from outside South America at IAMGOLD Corp’s 2.6Mt at 0.41% Nb2O5 Niobec mine in Quebec, Canada.

All three projects turn the pyrochlore mineral to about ~55-60% niobium oxide concentrate that’s inturn processed into mainly ferroniobium and other metal products.

Source: WA1.

Luni resource spreads niobium fever in West Arunta

In just two years, WA1 Resources (ASX:WA1) has unearthed its Luni discovery into a 200Mt deposit – the most significant niobium resource to be found in more than 70 years.

It’s now a >$1bn market-capped stock, raising $60m to accelerate project development workstreams and expand exploration across the greater tenement package, including its P2 carbonatite prospect.

In that time, ASX explorers have descended around the deposit – another nearology experiment, which could potentially grow West Arunta into a district-scale niobium and rare earths hub.