Tantalum is a very rare metal in the Earth's crust. We use this metal every time we fly, make a phone call, and ride in our cars. Tantalum is used to make electronic parts, heat-resistant glass, automotive catalytic converters, and corrosion-resistant and lightweight metal parts. The list goes on.
There are several mining, processing, trading, and manufacturing companies that source and use tantalum. One of the largest miners of tantalum is Global Advanced Metals, a private company in Australia. Through its alliances this company has a large impact on the rare earth metals market.
The company has interests in Australia, Brazil, and Africa. It was responsible for over 30% of the tantalum produced each year globally and owns one of the largest tantalum mines. The private company is 10% owned by ArcelorMittal (ADR)?(NYSE:MT)?through its metals and mining trading subsidiary Traxys in Belgium.
Major pubic company competitors include Alkane Resources in Australia, AMG Advanced Metallurgical Group, a Netherlands company, and Avalon Rare Metals Inc (US listing)?(NYSEMKT:AVL), a Canadian company.
In 2012 Global idled its Wodgina tantalum mine in Western Australia. Other?mine closings and conflict-induced supply?disruptions highlight the extreme scarcity of this metal. Without tantalum the world comes to a screeching technological halt.
