Co-authored by Arthur Thomas FGA(GB), GG(USA), CE(RSA) and Craig Thomas FGA(GB), GG(USA), B.Comm(RSA).
The three major, extensively-worked, mineral rich pegmatites in Mozambique run from the Muiâne mine of Alto Ligonha province in the north, by way of the central Morrua Mine to the Marropino Mine of Zambeze province in the South.
There are also numerous smaller scale operations, worked by garimpeiros many of them being situated in the Tete and Manica provinces.
Muiâne:
Muiâne, is a granite pegmatite some 400 meters in diameter, that hosts numerous exotic minerals. It was probably originally worked for a combination of sheet mica and the abundance of gem materials. However when the entrepreneur Pio Cabral mined the deposit his aim was to supply the growing demand for colombo-tantalite. Cabral sold the recovered andalusite, aquamarine, microcline, morganite, spodumene, topaz, tourmaline, zircon and other gem materials as by-products.
Columbium:
Columbium, now also known as niobium, is a chemical element with the symbol Nb and the atomic number of 41. It is a light grey, crystalline, ductile, transition metal in many respects bearing a close resemblance to tantalum. It is mainly used in the manufacture of special steels since a small percentage of niobium can enhance the strength of a steel alloy to a remarkable extent. Niobium is regarded as a technologically critical element and the temperature stability of niobium superalloys is of great importance in the manufacture of jet and rocket engines.
Niobium is also employed in a range of superconducting materials. Superconducting alloys that also contain titanium and tin are used in the superconducting magnets of MRI scanners. Other niobium applications include electronics, jewellery, nuclear physics, numismatics, optics and welding.
Tantalum:
Tantalum is a blue-grey transition metal, symbol Ta, atomic number 73 and a member of the refractory metals group. It forms the basis of numerous compounds that are extremely heat resistant and durable. It is hard, easily fabricated, extremely corrosion resistant, and a good conductor of electricity and heat. Tantalum is employed in mobile phones, DVD players, video cameras, computers, video game systems, television and other electronic equipment; capacitors, high power resistors, special high strength alloys, jet engine components, missile parts, nuclear reactors, metalworking tools, chemical processing equipment, camera lenses, dental and surgical instruments and implants.
Lithium:
Lithium symbol Li atomic number 3. Lithium batteries are the preferred choice for portable electronic devices.
Rare Earth Elements REEs are commonly used in TVs, tablet computers, cameras, cell-phones, rechargeable batteries, automobile catalytic converters
Co-authored by Arthur Thomas FGA(GB), GG(USA), CE(RSA) and Craig Thomas FGA(GB), GG(USA), B.Comm(RSA).