Tantalum and Columbite Ore : Quality

In order to have a good result from tantalum and columbite ore, a few observations are necessary:

a) Do not trust the sample sent to you from the producer as you do not know how the ore was sampled.

b) The sample sent is not always the result of sampling in order to have a representative sample.

c) The granulometry is also another important factor, the sampling of the ore must be done within the same range of granulometry, therefore, depending on the size of the ore, it is necessary to have a good mill to reduce the particles;

d) You will also need a good sample divider, in Brazil I always use the Jones model splitter that has about 12 cross 20 mm troughs, with two trays at the bottom, when passing the ore to be sampled in this equipment I reserve a tray and then repeat the process until I have a sample of at least 300 to 500g.

e) You will also need to have at least 4 samples, one for the producer, another for the client, another for the laboratory and another as testimony or counter-proof;

f) You will also need to have a good sampling, inspection team and also a quality laboratory to analyze the tantalum ore, I recommend that a scan analysis of the ore be done in XRF and after the ICP for Ta2O5+ Nb2O5+U3O8 and ThO2.

g) The general scan analysis in XRF helps the producer to have an idea of possible contaminants associated with Ta2O5+Nb2O5 (Fe2O5, Tio02, Sio2)?contents can be eliminated, depending on the concentration, drying and magnetic separation process.

h) That's why I always recommend that the sampling, inspection and analysis services of the ores are all done by Alex Stewart International.

Alex Stewart International and its worldwide group of Companies extends over 40 countries to provide professional inspection and laboratory analysis to the commodity trading, business and government sectors, the latter being the area of fastest expansion during the last few years. Alex Stewart International maintains a dedicated, personalized attention to all of its customers and provides technical expertise for inspection, weighing, sampling, analysis, testing and operational auditing of all commodities and products.

Alex Stewart International's global inspection and sampling services help support to deliver fast and accurate laboratory analysis and laboratory testing at its UKAS ISO 17025 Accredited metal testing laboratory in Liverpool, England covering non ferrous and ferrous ores and concentrates, minor metals, precious and platinum group metals , ferro-alloys, recycled scrap metal, complex materials and plastics, fuels, agricultural and soft commodities, food products and whilst also working towards maintaining a sustainable environment.

Alex Stewart International's inspection services include supervision of loading and discharge, weighing, and sampling services. Our professional and technically experienced inspectors, cargo surveyors and cargo superintendents provide high quality inspection services to meet the specific requirements of industry and commerce including mining companies, international traders, metal producers and refiners, farming and agricultural traders, banks and financial institutions, shipping and the general public in accordance with full TIC approved standard business terms and conditions.

Alex Stewart Internationals’ laboratories tailor their services to deliver cost effective and fast turnaround laboratory analysis without compromising quality and result accuracy. Its UK HQ laboratory is accredited by UKAS to ISO 17025 standards.

All of our laboratories are strategically located to work together with international commerce and industry in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, China, Ecuador, India, Kenya, Malaysia, Peru, Thailand, UAE, Ukraine and the UK. All chemists are fully qualified and experienced and all laboratories are supported by full sample preparation facilities for bulk samples.

Metals and minerals laboratories are purpose built, fully equipped with traditional and modern instrumentation, to provide fast, reliable and accurate results for commercial metal analysis for active mine productions including copper, lead and zinc; metal refineries for end producers and also commodity traders at the consumer end of the value chain, whether metals, minerals or agricultural commodities; for geochemical and environmental analysis for global and junior mining exploration companies, and also mine audits for Governments who require financial due diligence in emerging and developing countries.

Having an excellent laboratory of trust and reference is super important to maintain the quality and safety of the ores, as the sample will need to be prepared, pulverized and go through other necessary processes for better analysis in the equipment.

Alex Stewart Internatinal is an affiliated member of the TANTALUM-NIOBIUM INTERNATIONAL STUDY CENTER.

For inspection and analysis enquiries, please contact:

E-mail: [email protected] [email protected]

Tel: +44 (0) 151 525 1499 / +55 61 98152 2106

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