Experimental Tantalum Smelting Initiative Launched by Solikamsk Magnesium Plant and Ekaterinburg Non-Ferrous Metals Processing Plant
Solikamsk Magnesium Plant, together with Ekaterinburg Non-Ferrous Metals Processing Plant, has embarked on experimental operations in the production of metallic tantalum. This development marks a significant stride in the metallurgical industry, showcasing the successful smelting of an eight-kilogram tantalum ingot from powder at the facilities of Ekaterinburg Non-Ferrous Metals Processing Plant. The tantalum powder, a critical component in this process, was produced by Solikamsk Magnesium Plant. Plans are underway to establish regular production of these metallic tantalum powders, indicating a forward-looking approach to materials science and engineering.
This tantalum metal production venture is part of a broader strategy to rejuvenate the complete production line, from mining the ore to manufacturing finished products, within Russia. The initiative draws on the resources of Lovozero Mining and Processing Plant, another entity within Rosatom's Mining Division, which specializes in mining and processing loparite ore—a source of tantalum.
The future phases of this project involve converting tantalum pentachloride and pentaoxide, produced from loparite concentrate at Solikamsk Magnesium Plant, into pure metallic tantalum. This metallic tantalum will then serve as a foundational material for manufacturing tantalum rolled products and capacitor powders. These products are crucial for the Russian electronics industry, with both Ekaterinburg Non-Ferrous Metals Processing Plant and various enterprises within Rosatom's Fuel Division set to be key producers.
Ruslan Dimukhamedov, the General Director of Solikamsk Magnesium Plant, highlighted the significance of this development for the industry, emphasizing the future processing of pentachlorides and pentaoxides into metallic tantalum. This advancement is expected to bolster domestic production capabilities significantly, ensuring self-sufficiency in tantalum, niobium, zirconium, and several other critical metals. The initiative aims to meet 100% of the domestic production requirements for these materials and about 60% of the need for titanium-containing concentrates, marking a pivotal moment in Russia's materials industry.
