Niobium’s grasp on Greek mythology and the Jurassic period

Australian Rare Earths (ASX:AR3) has discovered a niobium-rare earth carbonatite mineral system at its Overland Project in South Australia, returning an intersection of 19m @ 0.61% total rare earth oxides (TREO) from 86m to end of hole, including 20% neodymium and praseodymium oxides and 1.70% dysprosium and terbium oxides. Notably, the mineralised interval remains open at depth.

The article uses this discovery as a springboard to explain niobium more broadly, a corrosion-resistant transition metal used in aerospace components, superconductors, and gas pipelines, currently trading at roughly US$60.32/kg. It touches on niobium's mythological namesake (Niobe, daughter of Tantalus in Greek mythology) and its close geological pairing with tantalum, with global reserves of both metals considered sufficient for centuries of demand. Brazil, Canada, and Australia currently lead global production.

Read the full article here: https://mining.com.au/niobiums-grasp-on-greek-mythology-and-the-jurassic-period/?hss_channel=lcp-20373487