By Chisom Ibemere
Columbite is regarded as the most universal niobium mineral. It is a black mineral group which are used in the metal industry.
Columbite is also known as niobite, Columbate or niobite-tantalite. Columbite was first discovered in Haddam, Connecticut, in the United State. It has an iron rich member known as the ferrocolumbite. Most tungsten and tin minerals may be found in it.
Columbite has the same arrangements and composition as tantalite hence, may be grouped together as a semi singular mineral known as Columbite-tantalite. Columbite may have a lesser specific gravity of 5.0 when compared to tantalite with specific gravity of 8.0.
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Columbite contain Thorium and Uranium in varying amounts which gives its radioactive properties.
Columbite is deposited in large quantities in Nigeria, West Africa, and it has been one of the exported natural solid minerals in Nigeria.
Columbite is mostly found in the Northern parts of the country like the Plateau, Kogi, Bauchi, Nasarawa, Kaduna and Kano States. However they occur in smaller amount in the Northern parts of the country as accessory minerals but has its highest deposits in the Plateau State.
Nigeria has various mining and exploration companies on Columbites in Bauchi, Oyo, Lagos, Plateau and Nasarawa States. Nigeria remains one of the major producers of this mineral and accounts for up to 95% of world output.
Columbites are used in the industries as the Ore of most industrial metals. They are used in automotive systems and in healthcare products/ devices. They are conductive metal used to improve the strength of alloy. Columbite-tantalites are also used in the production of capacitors (tantalite) which are used in electronics
