Scientists in China have unearthed a previously unseen type of ore containing a rare earth element sought after for its superconducting properties.
This new ore, named niobobotite, was discovered at the Bayan Obo mine in Inner Mongolia and contains niobium – a valuable metal that acts as a superconductor and could revolutionize battery technology.
China has just discovered a new ore containing the rare earth element niobium. (Photo: Shutterstock)
According to the South China Morning Post, this ore, known as niobobotite, is composed of niobium, barium, titanium, iron, and chloride.
Notably, niobium is a light gray metal primarily used in steel production, enhancing strength without significantly adding weight.
According to the Royal Society of Chemistry, niobium is also used to create other alloys (materials made from metal mixtures) and can be found in particle accelerators and other advanced scientific equipment because it is a superconductor at low temperatures.
According to the China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC), this black-brown ore is the 17th new type found at this mine and one of 150 new minerals identified in the region.
The South China Morning Post reports that this discovery could be a fortuitous turn of events for China, a country that currently imports up to 95% of its niobium.
Antonio H. Castro Neto, a professor of electrical and computer engineering at the National University of Singapore (NUS), stated: “Depending on the volume and quality of this niobium, it could enable China to become self-sufficient.”
Brazil is the largest supplier of rare metals in the world, with Canada in second place. According to the U.S. Geological Survey, a niobium mining and processing project is underway in southern Nebraska. The Elk Creek Critical Minerals Project will be the only niobium mine in the U.S.
Niobium-Based Batteries Charge Faster, Reducing Fire Risks
Aerial view of the Bayan Obo mine where the new ore was discovered. (Photo: Getty Images).
This metal may also see increased demand in the future as researchers work to develop niobium-lithium and niobium-graphene batteries.
According to S&P Global, these battery types could significantly reduce the risk of fire compared to those using lithium. Niobium-lithium batteries also charge faster and can be recharged more frequently than traditional lithium batteries.
In May, researchers at the Advanced 2D Materials Center (CA2DM) at NUS, which is developing niobium-graphene batteries, reported that these batteries could last about 30 years – ten times longer than lithium-ion batteries – and could charge fully in less than 10 minutes.
