coltan

British  

/ ˈkɒlˌtæn /

noun

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

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Etymology

Origin of coltan

C20: from _columbite + _tantalite

Example Sentences

Last December, the US and DR Congo agreed a partnership to increase access to the region's vast deposits of minerals such as cobalt, coltan and copper.

From BBC • May 1, 2026

Over the past year, the M23 has made rapid advances across the mineral-rich east of DR Congo, taking more areas where coltan is mined.

From BBC • Mar. 5, 2026

Besides oil, Venezuela is rich in minerals such as gold and diamonds, as well as bauxite, coltan and other rare materials used to make computers and mobile phones.

From Barron's • Mar. 5, 2026

Below the jungle lie diamonds, gold and coltan, a compound containing elements needed for cellphones, electric vehicles and more.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 26, 2026

The Orinoco Mining Arc, covering 112,000 square kilometers, contains an estimated 300,000 metric tons of rare-earth elements, coltan worth $100 billion, and 200 trillion cubic feet of natural gas.

From MarketWatch • Jan. 5, 2026