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‘It could make China self-sufficient’: new strategic rare metal ore unearthed in Inner Mongolia

  • Scientists confirm discovery of new type of niobium ore in the world’s largest rare earth deposit
  • Niobium is a key component in steel and superconductors, and could dramatically boost battery efficiency, experts say

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Niobium is a rare earth metal that is used mostly in the steel industry, but it has valuable superconducting properties and could transform battery efficiency, experts say. Photo: Shutterstock Images
Victoria Bela
China on Thursday received official confirmation that its geologists had discovered a new type of ore in the world’s largest rare earth deposit, and that it contains niobium, a shiny, light grey metal that is prized in the steel industry for its strength, and also has superconducting properties.
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The niobium ore – dubbed niobobaotite – has received an official approval number from the International Mineralogical Association’s classification committee, according to the state-owned China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC).

The niobobaotite, which was discovered at the Bayan Obo ore deposit in the city of Baotou in Inner Mongolia, is a brown-black ore made up of niobium, barium, titanium, iron and chloride.

Niobium is a rare metal that is used mostly in the steel industry. Steel that is produced with less than 1 per cent niobium is significantly stronger with less weight, according to government organisation Geoscience Australia.
Brazil supplies most of the world’s niobium, but the rare metal has also surfaced in Inner Mongolia. Photo: Shutterstock Images
Brazil supplies most of the world’s niobium, but the rare metal has also surfaced in Inner Mongolia. Photo: Shutterstock Images

Alloys made with niobium are used to make construction materials, oil and gas pipelines, propeller blades and jet engines and more. Niobium is also known as a superconductor at low temperatures, making it useful in the production of superconducting magnets for particle accelerators and MRI machines, according to Geoscience Australia.

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