Association Minière du Québec

This is niobium

Niobium is often described as a strategic metal, or even as the strength behind modern steel. Why is that?

Niobium is considered a strategic metal because many industries depend on it, because it can help reduce the environmental footprint of a number of sectors, and because its production is concentrated at very few sites around the world.

When used as an alloying element in steel, niobium makes it both lighter and stronger while also improving its resistance to corrosion. It is therefore no surprise that niobium is an essential component of materials used primarily in the construction and automotive industries.

Demand for niobium continues to grow, notably in BRICS countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa), where infrastructure development and the rapid expansion of the automotive market are driving its use. However, these are not the only industries benefiting from niobium’s key properties. The advanced medical technology sector, for example, also relies heavily on niobium in the manufacturing of cutting-edge equipment.

 

USES
Niobium helps reduce the weight of vehicles, which in turn lowers fuel consumption. For just CAD $9 worth of niobium used in the construction of a vehicle, its weight can be reduced by 100 kg, resulting in an approximately 5% increase in fuel efficiency. In addition, thanks to its high strength, niobium can be used to build safer vehicles.
Many bridges are built using steel containing niobium. The Millau Viaduct is a good example. The use of ferroniobium in the construction of the bridge deck made it possible to reduce its thickness. Adding niobium therefore reduces the overall amount of steel required, resulting in a lighter structure.

Niobium is also widely used in the oil and gas industry, as it makes it possible to build more reliable pipelines for transporting gases, liquids or solids by helping prevent the formation of cracks.

The aerospace industry uses niobium in the construction of rockets and satellites. The Apollo 11 rocket was built using 60% niobium-containing steel.

Niobium is a component of stainless steel and is used notably in the construction of nuclear reactors.

 

MINES IN QUÉBEC

The main sources of niobium are located in Canada, specifically in Québec, and Brazil, which together account for 98% of global supply. The remaining sources (2%) are located in Australia, Gabon, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Malawi. Global niobium reserves are estimated at 2.7 million tonnes.

In Canada, niobium deposits are mined underground at the Niobec mine (Magris Resources), making it unique in the world. The deposits are located in the Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean region, 200 km north of Québec City. The mine accounts for 8% to 10% of global niobium production.

 

INTERESTING FACTS

Niobium may not seem particularly glamorous at first glance, but think again! That titanium-like metal on your ring might actually be niobium. In fact, jewellery makers appreciate niobium because, much like gold, it can be cold-worked to create some truly surprising results. Search online and you’ll find many examples of jewellery made partly with niobium.

 

Notes

The information contained in this fact sheet comes from public and verifiable sources.

 

References

• NIOBEC

• MERN

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