Coltan, tantalum, niobium and lithium are essential minerals used across electronics, batteries, infrastructure and advanced manufacturing. Although they are often hidden inside finished products, these materials play a major role in the modern digital and clean energy economy.
Coltan is short for columbite-tantalite, an ore that contains tantalum and niobium. It is mainly known for its link to the electronics industry, where refined tantalum is used in compact capacitors found in smartphones, laptops, vehicles, medical devices and aerospace systems.
Tantalum is valued because it is highly stable, corrosion-resistant and reliable in small electronic components. Its ability to perform in demanding conditions makes it important for consumer technology, defence, healthcare and industrial equipment.
Niobium is widely used to strengthen steel. Even small amounts can make steel lighter, stronger and more durable, which is useful in bridges, pipelines, cars, aircraft and energy infrastructure. It also has specialist uses in superalloys and superconducting technologies.
Lithium is best known as a battery metal. Lithium-ion batteries power electric vehicles, mobile phones, laptops and energy storage systems. As countries invest in electrification and renewable energy, lithium remains central to battery supply chains.
These minerals support three major global trends: digitalisation, stronger infrastructure and the shift toward cleaner energy.
Switch Metals plc (LON:SWT) is the largest holder of coltan (tantalum and niobium) and lithium licences in Côte d’Ivoire with over 3,000 km2 including our licence applications.
