Kenya Discovers Coltan/Rare Mineral Used In Electric Cars And Electronic Devices

Kenya has announced the discovery of its first deposits of coltan, a rare and valuable mineral that is used in the manufacturing of electric car batteries, mobile phones, laptops, and other electronic devices. The discovery was made in six counties across the country, namely Embu, Kwale, Taita Taveta, Turkana, Marsabit, and West Pokot.

Coltan is the common name for columbite-tantalite, a mineral that contains two elements: niobium and tantalum. Niobium is used to make high-strength steel alloys, while tantalum is used to make capacitors, which store and release electrical energy. Capacitors are essential components of electronic devices, such as smartphones, laptops, tablets, cameras, and gaming consoles. They are also used in electric vehicles, medical equipment, aerospace, and defense industries.

The global demand for coltan has been increasing rapidly in recent years, driven by the growth of the digital economy and the transition to clean energy. According to Forbes, the average price of coltan is $48 per...