Kenya Discovered Deposits of Coltan, A Valuable Mineral
Utkarsh Classes
Last Updated
02-02-2024
Science and Technology
3 min read
Kenya has discovered its first reserves of the valuable mineral Coltan. This rare mineral is used to manufacture electric car batteries, mobile phones and other electronic devices.
About Colton Search
- The Democratic Republic of Congo has more than 70% of the world's coltan reserves, which has fueled violent conflict in the country's east for decades.
- Coltan is often refined into metallic tantalum, a heat-resistant powder used to produce capacitors, which are used to manufacture electronic components.
- The price of coltan depends on how much tantalum it contains, but on average, a kilogram of the rare ore costs $48 (£37), according to Forbes.
- Analysts say international demand for coltan is growing rapidly and has become one of the driving forces behind the conflict in eastern DR Congo, as rival militias fight for control of mines that produce coltan and other valuable minerals.
DR Congo, along with neighboring Rwanda, are the world's two top coltan suppliers.
About Coltan
- Coltan is short for columbite-tantalite, a dull metal ore. When refined, coltan becomes metallic tantalum, a heat-resistant powder, which has unique properties of storing electrical charge.
- Coltan is found in granitic pegmatites, places where deep-seated molten rock finally crystallizes. Pegmatites contain giant crystals of many rare metals as well as some common minerals.
Use of Colton:
Tantalum from coltan is used to make tantalum capacitors that are used for mobile phones, personal computers, automotive electronics, and cameras.
Where is it found:
- Democratic Republic of the Congo (80%)
- Western Australia
- Canada
- Brazil
- China
- Ethiopia
- Mozambique
Coltan is also produced in Thailand and Malaysia as a by-product of tin mining and smelting.
About Republic of Kenya
- Capital: Nairobi
- Language: Swahili, English
- Currency: Kenyan Shilling
- Mountain ranges: Aberdare Range, Mau Escarpment
- Rivers: Athi/Galana, Tana
- Lake Victoria is also located here along with Tanzania and Uganda.
FAQ
Answer: Coltan
Answer: Africa
Answer: Used for mobile phones, personal computers, automotive electronics, and cameras.
Answer: Nairobi
Answer: Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda
Leave a Review
Today's Article
Tags
Agreements and MoU
Agriculture
Place in News
Art & Culture
Person in News
Award and Honour
Visits
Banking and Finance
Bilateral Relations
Summit and Conference
Bill and Act
Economy
Defence
Energy
International news
Transport
Industry
Environment
Report
Science and Technology
Space
Loan and Grant
Rajasthan
Uttar Pradesh
Science
Art and Culture
Government Scheme
Census
Death
Festival
Important Day
Important Days
State news
Science and Technology
Union Budget
App
Portal
law and act
Appointment
Banking
Banking & Finance
International Organisations
High Court
Supreme Court
Sport
Dance
Himachal Pradesh
Haryana
Tribe
Bihar
Committee and Commission
Tourism
Festivals
Uttrakhand
Government Initiative
Index
Jharkhand
Chhattisgarh
Body
Election
Books and Author
Books and Authors
Madhya Pradesh
Military exercise
Infrastructure
Exercise
Export
Education
Health and Disease
Supreme Court
Meeting
Law & Order
Paris Olympic
Travel & Transport
Ranking
Research
