noun
- A mineral containing niobium, typically an oxide or complex compound of niobium with other elements.
Usage: mineralogy; technical
Examples
- Niobite is an important ore mineral for the extraction of niobium.
- Geologists identified niobite deposits in the pegmatite formation.
- The niobite sample showed characteristic crystal structures under the microscope.
- Industrial mining operations target niobite-rich zones for niobium production.