Venezuela Explores Initial Stages of Coltan Mining

source: Telesurtv news

Tantalum from coltan is used to manufacture tantalum capacitors, used in electronic products. Venezuela has recently begun exploring the initial stages of coltan mining.

Coltan (short for columbite–tantalite and known industrially as tantalite) is a dull black metallic ore from which the elements niobium and tantalum are extracted. Tantalum from coltan is used to manufacture tantalum capacitors, used in electronic products.

The Venezuelan Minister of Minerals Production, Victor Cano, visited Amazonas State, where the mining will take place, to tour the facilities on Friday. Cano said the needs of the Indigenous communities will be met.

They gave him a list of demands, which include schools, hospitals and inclusion in the decision-making processes for the project. Cano was accompanied by the Minister of Indigenous Peoples, Yamilet Mirabal Calderon. Calderon assured the Indigenous groups that they will be not be forgotten, and that the project will beneift their communities.

Indigenous residents of Amazonas State gave a small show, and presented the details of their demands to the Ministers. The Coltan Mining facility remains in the initial phase but it has not yet been determined how much coltan could be extracted from the site.

If it is deemed viable, the colton will be used solely for export. The ministers say the funds could contribute to the diversify the Venezuelan economy as it moves away from its dependence on oil and gas.