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

The eastern part of DR Congo is replete with vast deposits of key minerals, including gold and coltan.

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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.

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

Read more on BBC