The Millau viaduc in France was built using 0.025% niobium, reducing the weight of steel and concrete by 60%
$9 of niobium added to a mid-sized automobile reduces its weight by 100 kg, increasing fuel efficiency by 5% (Source:world steel association)
About Niobium
Both rare and indispensable to modern steelmaking, niobium (Nb) is the main metal in value of Mabounié’s deposit.
Used to improve steel strength and resistance to corrosion, niobium is mostly added to steel as ferroniobium (FeNb) and is a key element in the automotive industry, modern architecture and the oil & gas sector.
Niobium demand is expected to grow steadily at 5-6 % p.a. until 2030 driven by steel demand growth and greater intensity of use in steel by emerging countries.
Niobium market is underpinned by a low number of current and potential producers among which Maboumine could be the most significant after industry leader CBMM from Brazil.
About Rare Earths
Rare earths (RE) are a strategic group of 15 metals with unique properties making them indispensable to many cutting-edge technologies in a variety of sectors such as aerospace, medical equipment, clean energy, nuclear power and oil refining.
After decades of significant growth, global demand of rare earths remains strong especially in the permanent magnets sector, which is expected to continue to grow.
its polymetallic characteristics (reduced exposition to RE price volatility) and favorable RE distribution, Maboumine is well positioned to be the next rare earths oxides (REO) producer out of China.