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Glite Dictionary
niobite

niobite

9.9
A black mineral that contains niobium and tantalum and is mined for these metals
  • noun
  • /naɪəˌbaɪt/
  • Specialized
: niobita
  • Extraction of niobium often involves processing niobite ores from mines in Canada.

Examples

  • Samples of niobite revealed traces of tantalum alongside the predominant niobium content.

  • The geologist identified the black rock as niobite during the mineral survey.

  • The geologist discovered a large deposit of niobite in the region.

  • A sample of niobite was analyzed for its composition.

  • The geologist identified the black rock as niobite during the mineral survey.

  • Samples of niobite revealed traces of tantalum alongside the predominant niobium content.

  • Extraction of niobium often involves processing niobite ores from mines in Canada.

Surface Forms

niobite singular
niobites plural

Morphology

niobite = niobium (transparent) = niob + ite

The mineral-forming suffix '-ite' regularly denotes a mineral containing the element niobium, so if a learner knows 'niobium' the meaning is directly derivable.

Etymology

The word niobite comes from the element niobium, which was named after Niobe, a character from Greek myth who is connected to the element tantalum because miners often find the two together. The ending -ite is common in mineral names, like graphite, so niobite is a black mineral or 'ore' of niobium that often contains tantalum.