Chapter 10
I 1. Introduction
II 2. The Role Of Technology
III 3. Some Highlights Of Australian Minerals Technology
IV 4. Other Technological Achievements (in brief)
i Manganese
ii Tin
iii Tungsten
iv Tantalum
v Uranium
vi Gallium
vii Lithium
viii Silicon
ix Platinum
x Rare Earths
xi Phosphate
xii Diamonds
V 5. Export Of Technology
VI 6. Education And Research
VII 7. The Scientific Societies
VIII 8. Conclusion
References
Index
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Tantalum
World demand for tantalum and for the kindred columbium (niobium) varies widely from time to time and the several sources identified in Australia have experienced varied fortunes, especially because of occurrence with other minerals, notably cassiterite, and occasionally beryl. The persistent but variable activity in the alluvial field at Greenbushes, WA, has included periods of significant output in world terms and some complicated metallurgical circuits have been devised. Currently a solvent extraction process for separation of tantalum and columbium is under study. Recent discovery of a poly-metallic deposit in the Kimberley region has revealed a possible new source of tantalum and columbium in association with gallium and yttrium and other high technology minerals.
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Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering |  |
© 1988 Print Edition page 767, Online Edition 2000
Published by Australian Science and Technology Heritage Centre, using the Web Academic Resource Publisher
http://www.austehc.unimelb.edu.au/tia/732.html