columbite-tantalite

1 9.9

A black mineral that provides metals used in electronic devices

noun
/kəˈlʌmˌbaɪt ˈtæntəˌlaɪt/

Specialized

: columbita-tantalita

Smartphones and laptops often contain small amounts of columbite-tantalite in their circuitry.

Examples

Mining for columbite-tantalite has dramatically increased in Central Africa due to rising demand for electronics.
The extraction of columbite-tantalite can have serious environmental and social impacts.
The columbite-tantalite mineral is essential for modern electronics.
Many smartphones contain columbite-tantalite components.
Many electronic devices, including smartphones and tablets, rely on columbite-tantalite as a source of niobium and tantalum.
The demand for columbite-tantalite has surged as manufacturers seek materials for advanced technology.
Research shows that columbite-tantalite mining can lead to significant ecological changes in the regions where it is extracted.

Synonyms

coltan

vscolumbite-tantalite

Specialized

3 9.9

A black mineral used to make parts for phones and laptops

is the formal scientific name instead of a common trade label

niobite

vscolumbite-tantalite

Specialized

9.9

A black mineral that contains niobium and tantalum and is mined for these metals

is a mixed mineral formed from two mineral components not oxides

Surface Forms

columbite-tantalite singular

columbite-tantalites plural

Morphology

columbite-tantalite = columbite + tantalite (transparent) = columbite + tantalite

Formed by straightforward compounding of the two mineral names, meaning a material consisting of or containing both columbite and tantalite.

Etymology

Columbite-tantalite comes from the names of two minerals, columbite and tantalite: columbite is named from Columbia ('America'), and tantalite is named after Tantalus, the myth behind the English verb tantalize ('to tease'). So, the name simply says this black mineral is a mix of both minerals and is a source of metals used in electronics.