Coltan (Columbite-Tantalite)

Coltan is the informal name for columbite-tantalite, a metallic ore from which tantalum is extracted. Coltan is listed by name in Dodd-Frank Section 1502 as one of the conflict mineral ores. The DRC is one of the world’s largest coltan producers, and eastern DRC coltan mining has been directly linked to funding armed groups. Coltan is processed at tantalum refiners/processors, which are audited under RMAP for responsible sourcing.

Dodd-Frank Act Section 1502; Form SD Item 1.01(d)(3); Regulation (EU) 2017/821, Annex I.

Coltan from the DRC carries the highest geopolitical and compliance risk among 3TG ores. Electronics companies — particularly those using tantalum capacitors — must verify that their tantalum processors do not source coltan from non-responsible DRC or regional origins. RMAP-conformant tantalum processors have verified controls preventing conflict coltan from entering their processing stream.

A mobile phone manufacturer’s supply chain includes tantalum capacitors sourced from a Japanese processor. CMRT data confirms the processor is RMAP conformant for tantalum. The processor’s RMAP audit report notes that DRC coltan is excluded from its inputs based on supply origin controls, providing assurance to downstream customers.