columbite

Thân thiện

Columbite is a black mineral often found in granite pegmatites.

Definition

Noun: A black, heavy mineral that is the principal ore of the metallic elements niobium and tantalum. It is an oxide mineral with the chemical formula (Fe, Mn)(Nb, Ta)₂O₆.

Usage

"Columbite" is used specifically as a geological and mineralogical term. It refers to the mineral itself, which is mined and processed to extract niobium and tantalum metals. * Geologists identified the black mineral in the sample as columbite. * The region is known for its deposits of columbite and tin.

Advanced Usage

• Columbite-tantalite (Coltan): In commerce and geology, columbite is often grouped with the mineral tantalite. The mixed series is commonly referred to as "columbite-tantalite" or, more informally, "coltan," which is a major source of tantalum for electronics.
  • The demand for coltan, a source of tantalum, has increased with the growth of the electronics industry.

Variants and Related Words

• Columbite-tantalite (n): The mineral series between pure columbite (FeNb₂O₆) and pure tantalite (FeTa₂O₆).
• Niobite (n): An older, less common synonym for columbite, emphasizing its role as a source of niobium.

Synonyms

• Niobite (mineralogical synonym)

Notes on Different Meanings

The word "columbite" has a single, specific meaning in mineralogy. It does not have common idiomatic or figurative uses. Its significance lies in its economic value as a source of critical metals.

Học thuật

Noun

1. a black mineral that is an ore of niobium and tantalum

Từ đồng nghĩa

• niobite