U.S.Geological Survey (USGS): Columbium (Nobium)

Statistics and Information: Columbium and niobium are synonymous names for the chemical element with atomic number 41; columbium was the name given in 1801, and niobium (Nb) was the name officially designated by the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry in 1950. Niobium in the form of ferroniobium is used worldwide, mostly as an alloying element in steels and in superalloys. Appreciable amounts of niobium in the form of high-purity ferroniobium and nickel niobium are used in nickel-, cobalt-, and iron-base superalloys for such applications as jet engine components, rocket subassemblies, and heat-resisting and combustion equipment.

The United States does not have a niobium mining industry because resources are of low grade, and the United States must import all of its niobium source materials for processing. ;Brazil and Canada are the major producers of niobium mineral concentrates.

Columbium (Nobium)
(Data in thousand metric tons of columbium content unless otherwise noted)

U.S. Domestic Production and Use: Significant U.S. niobium mine production has not been reported since 1959. U.S domestic niobium resources are of low grade, some are mineralogically complex, and most are not commercially recoverable. Companies in the United States produced ferroniobium and niobium compounds, metal, and other alloys from imported niobium minerals, oxides, and ferroniobium. Niobium was consumed mostly in the form of ferroniobium by the steel industry and as niobium alloys and metal by the aerospace industry. Major end-use distribution of reported niobium consumption was as follows: steels, 78%; and superalloys, 22%. In 2007, the estimated value of niobium consumption was $229 million and was expected to be about $370 million in 2008, as measured by the value of imports.

U.S. Recycling: Niobium was recycled when niobium-bearing steels and superalloys were recycled; scrap recovery specifically for niobium content was negligible. The amount of niobium recycled is not available, but it may be as much as 20% of apparent consumption.

U.S. Import Sources(2004-07): Niobium contained in niobium and tantalum ore and concentrate; ferroniobium; and niobium metal and oxide: Brazil, 82%; Canada, 9%; Estonia, 2%; and other, 7%.

U.S. Tariff:

U.S. Depletion Allowance: 22% (Domestic), 14% (Foreign).

U.S. Government Stockpile: For fiscal year (FY) 2008 (October 1, 2007, through September 30, 2008), the Defense National Stockpile Center (DNSC), Defense Logistics Agency, disposed of no niobium materials. The DNSC’s niobium mineral concentrate inventory was exhausted in FY 2007; niobium carbide powder, in FY 2002; and ferroniobium, in FY 2001. The DNSC announced maximum disposal limits for FY 2009 of about 9 tons9 of niobium metal ingots.

Events, Trends, and Issues: Niobium was imported principally in the form of ferroniobium and niobium unwrought metal, alloy, and powder. Niobium import dependence was expected to be the same as it was in 2007 when Brazil was the leading supplier of niobium. By weight, Brazil supplied 87% of niobium comprising 91% of ferroniobium, 87% of niobium metal, and 63% of niobium oxide. The leading suppliers of niobium in ore and concentrate were Australia (73%) and Canada (22%). Niobium apparent consumption is believed to have increased in 2008 compared with that of 2007. Capital market problems and the subsequent economic slowdown were expected to result in reduced niobium material consumption, price, and production.

World Mine Production, Reserves, and Reserve Base:

World Resources: World resources are more than adequate to supply projected needs. Most of the world’s identified resources of niobium occur mainly as pyrochlore in carbonatite [igneous rocks that contain more than 50% by volume carbonate (CO3) minerals] deposits and are outside the United States. The United States has approximately 150,000 tons of niobium resources in identified deposits, all of which were considered uneconomic at 2008 prices for niobium.

Substitutes: The following materials can be substituted for niobium, but a performance or cost penalty may ensue: molybdenum and vanadium as alloying elements in high-strength low-alloy steels; tantalum and titanium as alloying elements in stainless and high-strength steels; and ceramics, molybdenum, tantalum, and tungsten in high-temperature applications.

(e) Estimated.
(NA) Not available. — Zero.
(1) Actual quantity limited to remaining sales authority; additional legislative authority is required.

U.S. Geological Survey, Mineral Commodity Summaries, January 2009