coltan

/ ˈkɒlˌtæn /

noun

1. a metallic ore found esp in the E Congo, consisting of columbite and tantalite (a source of the element tantalum)

Word History and Origins

Origin of coltan¹

C20: from _columbite + _tantalite

Example Sentences

Eastern Congo is home to large deposits of gold, diamonds and coltan, which is critical in the manufacture of electric vehicles and smartphones.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Some were deep underground digging up ore with shovels, others then hoisted sacks of the extracted rock containing coltan, which is used to make many electronic devices, on to their shoulders.

Read more on BBC

Eastern DR Congo is rich in coltan and other resources vital to the global electronics industries.

Read more on BBC

Eastern DR Congo is rich in coltan and other resources vital to global electronics industries.

Read more on BBC

DR Congo has large deposits of coltan and cobalt, used in electronic equipment and batteries for electric cars, which are currently largely extracted by Chinese mining companies.

Read more on BBC