Tantalum

Tantalum (Ta) is one of the four 3TG conflict minerals, primarily extracted from coltan ore (columbite-tantalite). Tantalum is used in capacitors found in smartphones, laptops, game consoles, and other electronics; in medical implants; and in aerospace applications. A significant portion of the world’s tantalum comes from the DRC and neighboring Rwanda and Burundi, making it a high-priority mineral for conflict minerals compliance. Tantalum refiners/processors are audited under RMAP for responsible sourcing practices.

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

Tantalum is frequently cited in conflict minerals literature as the mineral most directly linked to DRC conflict funding, due to the dominance of DRC/Central African region mining in global tantalum supply. Companies using tantalum capacitors (ubiquitous in electronics) must identify all tantalum processors in their supply chain through CMRT collection and verify RMAP conformance. The RMAP conformant list for tantalum is maintained by RMI.

A consumer electronics manufacturer identifies through CMRT that 8 tantalum processors supply its capacitor manufacturers. 7 are RMAP conformant; 1 is not listed. The manufacturer engages the unlisted processor, requests information on its sourcing practices, and provides a 6-month timeline to initiate RMAP participation or be removed from the approved supplier list.