Two new niobium-rich minerals discovered at Bayan Obo
2026-01-13 15:47:45 [Print]
Chinese scientists have discovered two new niobium-rich minerals, Zuolin niobite and Hongrui-ite, at the Bayan Obo mine in Baotou, Inner Mongolia. The names have been officially approved by the International Mineralogical Association, marking the 26th and 27th new minerals identified at the site.
Zuolin niobite, which occurs in mineralized dolomite, is rich in barium, strontium and niobium, with niobium oxide content of 52.9%. Hongrui-ite, found in igneous carbonatite dikes, contains magnesium, iron and niobium, with a niobium oxide content of 32.8%. Both minerals contain high levels of niobium, boosting the site's niobium potential.
Bayan Obo is a world-class polymetallic deposit, the world's largest rare earth mine and third-largest niobium deposit, with more than 200 minerals identified to date.
Zuolin niobite, which occurs in mineralized dolomite, is rich in barium, strontium and niobium, with niobium oxide content of 52.9%. Hongrui-ite, found in igneous carbonatite dikes, contains magnesium, iron and niobium, with a niobium oxide content of 32.8%. Both minerals contain high levels of niobium, boosting the site's niobium potential.
Bayan Obo is a world-class polymetallic deposit, the world's largest rare earth mine and third-largest niobium deposit, with more than 200 minerals identified to date.
Niobium Pentoxide 99.99%min, Sb 150ppm max EXW China
Unit:RMB/kg
China niobium oxide producers' number MoM output increase statistics by province by month
Unit: pcs
