Minor and critical metals 05 / 06

Small volumes.Critical chains.

Minor and critical metals move in small volumes through narrow processing chains, to very specific buyers. The family also covers mineral sands. We know what each processor requires, and the documents each market asks for.

ConcentrateOxidesAPT

What we cover

Rare earths, Ta-Nb, Tungsten, Antimony,Mineral sands

Material	Commercial forms	Typical buyers
Rare earths	Monazite and bastnäsite concentrate, oxides	Separation plants, magnet and alloy makers
Tantalum and niobium	Tantalite, columbite, coltan concentrate	Tantalum and niobium processors
Tungsten	Wolframite and scheelite concentrate, APT	Tungsten processors, carbide makers
Antimony	Stibnite concentrate, trioxide, ingot	Flame-retardant, alloy and glass producers
Mineral sands	Ilmenite, rutile, zircon	TiO₂ pigment, titanium metal, ceramics

Market context

Small markets, strategic uses.

Many governments list these metals as critical raw materials: they are essential to magnets, electronics, aerospace, defence and pigments, and their supply depends on few producers. Markets are small and specialised, so a single plant or policy change can shift the balance.

Processing is concentrated: rare-earth separation, tungsten and tantalum refining each take place in a limited number of plants worldwide. Buyers specify not only grade but also impurities and radioactivity, and expect full supply-chain documentation for 3TG minerals.

How we handle it

From sample todelivery.

Few processors worldwide treat each of these materials, and each accepts a specific profile. Before presenting a material we check its assay and documents against the buyer's requirements.

How we handle it

01
Sampling
Representative samples taken under the procedure agreed between the parties.
02
Independent assay
Tests at independent laboratories; results are shared with buyer and seller.
03
Inspection
Weight, quality and packing verified by an inspection company at loading or at destination.
04
Logistics coordination
Transport, storage and documents with the providers chosen by the parties.

Specification

What buyers usually specify.

Material	Specification
Rare earths	Total rare-earth oxide content, element distribution (NdPr, dysprosium, terbium), thorium and uranium; for oxides, purity of each element.
Tantalum and niobium	Ta₂O₅ and Nb₂O₅, radioactivity and 3TG documentation with CMRT.
Tungsten	WO₃ and impurities (tin, arsenic, molybdenum, phosphorus, sulphur); for APT, chemical purity.
Antimony	Antimony grade, arsenic and lead, payable precious metals; purity of trioxide or ingot.
Mineral sands	TiO₂ and iron in ilmenite and rutile, ZrO₂ in zircon, radioactivity and particle size.

Common industry practice. Each transaction sets its own specification and assay methods.

Minor and critical metals

Rare earths, tantalum-niobium,tungsten, antimony and mineralsands.

Markets and end uses

Where the material goes.

01
Magnets and motors
Rare earths for permanent magnets.
02
Electronics and aerospace
Tantalum, niobium and tungsten in capacitors, superalloys and tools.
03
Pigments and ceramics
Ilmenite, rutile and zircon for TiO₂ and ceramics.
04
Alloys and fire safety
Antimony and tungsten for alloys, hard metals and flame retardants.

Compliance

Verification first, then thetransaction.

Tantalum and tungsten are 3TG minerals: the OECD Due Diligence Guidance and the CMRT apply. Rare-earth concentrates are checked for thorium and uranium content, which determines how they may be shipped.

Minex Industries only writes from @minexindustries.com addresses. If you receive an offer in our name from any other address, do not act on it and let us know at info@minexindustries.com.

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