Columbite

Columbite also known as niobite or niobite-tantalite is the most widespread niobium mineral. Columbite was first discovered in Haddam, Connecticut. It makes for one of the most important ores of the industrially used metals. Columbite is a black mineral group.

Properties
Columbites's formula is [(Fe, Mn) Nb2O6]. It is a natural oxide, made up of niobium, tantalum, ferrous iron or manganese. The appearance of Columbite ranges from dark black, iron-black to dark brown. The crystals are near opaque meaning that is not able to be seen through, not transparent, although is transparent in thin splinters. Columbite has been studied showing superconductivity at sufficiently low temperatures. It is also known as Niobium, being studied with other many other different types of metals for a possible breakthrough alloy this new industry field.

Columbite is a series inside a series. A series is where two or more elements can occupy the same space within a crystal structure. As for the iron, manganese and magnesium amounts vary without much effect on the properties, though they are recognized as distinct minerals even though collectors have found this to be cumbersome and rather prefer columbite than the non unique names for example, ferrocolumbite, manganocolumbite, and magnocolumbite.

History
In Haddad, Connecticut, an occurrence of an new mineral in the United States had been discovered. The new mineral, Columbite was first discovered in Connecticut, by the first governor named John Winthrop who was an avid mineral collector. It was then sent to a museum, which sat in the museum for a year. in 1801, Charles Hatchet noticed that the Columbite sitting there had an unknown element in it. Hatchet compared minerals columbite and tantalite and realized that they were similar. With that he had discovered the element niobium in it, which he named Columbium after Christopher Columbus who had discovered America. Columbite and tantalite mineral form a series and they are often grouped together forming as a semi-singular mineral also known as Columbite-Tantalite.

Uses


Columbite has a few ways that it can be used. It has an sub metallic luster and a high density. The columbite ore can be used as an alloy of steel to form weldable high speed steel for radio transmitting values and also sensitive detective devices. Columbite plays a role in being a substitute for tantalum which is used in the electronics and telecommunications industry, making columbite an an valuable resource in these industries.The ROH on columbite ore is 10 to 15 percent according to experts.

Video
Here is a video showing of ore mining machine for columbite used in West Africa dNJue8w9z1Q