noun
- a mixture of columbite and tantalite ores, mined for tantalum and niobium metals used in electronics and aerospace applications
Usage: uncountable; technical; also called columbite-tantalite
Examples
- Coltan is a crucial mineral for manufacturing capacitors in mobile phones.
- The Democratic Republic of Congo is a major producer of coltan.
- Mining coltan has raised concerns about environmental damage and labor practices.
- Electronics manufacturers depend on a steady supply of coltan for their products.
- Conflict over coltan resources has affected several African nations.