The Tantalum-Niobium International Study Center (T.I.C.) has raised serious concerns about the future of tantalum supply from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). As the global industry association for tantalum-niobium, the T.I.C.’s warning highlights growing risks to supply chains, which directly impacts companies like Capacitor Metals Corp., a member of the T.I.C.

The DRC Supply Chain Crisis

The DRC has been a dominant source of tantalum worldwide for years. However, the region’s political instability, particularly due to the M23 group’s control over mine sites and trade routes, is threatening the global supply of tantalum. According to the T.I.C. President, Ms. Silvana Fehling:

“The situation in the DRC is disturbing and concerning both from the perspective of the safety and livelihood of those locally affected as well as from a commercial perspective. The continued incursions by the M23, their control of mine sites and trade routes, in combination with the undisciplined approach of the DRC government, does not bode well for the expectation of a reasonable solution any time soon. As such, responsible sourcing from the region will only become more difficult and complicated moving forward.”

The T.I.C. is actively working to address these concerns. To combat unethical sourcing and improve transparency, the organization has partnered with KUMI to develop Enhanced Due Diligence Guidelines (EHDD) aimed specifically at the tantalum supply chain. These guidelines will help auditors and companies establish the provenance of minerals sourced from high-risk areas and improve their due diligence practices.

Additionally, the T.I.C. is committed to investigating reports suggesting that some supply chain actors are using dubious means to source conflict-related or smuggled minerals. The organization has stated that membership suspension is a possibility for those found violating ethical standards.

Government sanctioned Tantalum production in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

The T.I.C. has also emphasized the importance of diversifying tantalum sources globally to reduce the industry’s dependence on Central Africa. This initiative aims to secure a more reliable and ethical supply chain for tantalum worldwide.

To learn more about the T.I.C and their initiatives, please visit: https://www.tanb.org/index

How This Affects Capacitor Metals Corp.

Capacitor Metals Corp. President Chris Grove addressed the T.I.C. update, stating:

“This announcement from Ms. Silvana Fehling, the President of the T.I.C., is a very important update on the immediate and growing threats to existing tantalum supply from the conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. This area has been the dominant source for tantalum globally for some time now, and we believe that everyone should understand the current and increasingly negative dynamics affecting tantalum supply there. Ms. Fehling also makes it clear that ‘the T.I.C. continues to support a more globally diverse tantalum sourcing strategy such that one region cannot unduly impact the supply chain and market as a whole.’”

Capacitor Metals Corp. aims to provide a responsible alternative to the ethically complicated sourcing of tantalum from the DRC. As a member of the T.I.C., Capacitor Metals supports the push for more globally diverse tantalum sourcing strategies. The company’s flagship project, the Upper Fir Tantalum & Niobium Deposit, is located in the mining-friendly region of British Columbia, Canada.

The site boasts:

• Three known deposits of tantalum and niobium
• 20+ known exploration targets
• $34M CAD of completed work, including over 59,000 meters of drilling and a historical Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA)

Capacitor Metals Corp. is positioning itself as one of the lowest-cost, ethically sourced tantalum-niobium producers globally. As the world continues to demand more advanced electronics and other tantalum-dependent technologies, companies like Capacitor Metals are essential to providing stable and ethical supply chains.

Why Ethical Sourcing Matters

Tantalum’s importance to modern electronics cannot be overstated. Without it, our devices would be much larger and significantly less efficient. Ethical sourcing is not just a matter of good business practice; it’s essential for securing a reliable supply of this vital mineral.

For more information, visit Capacitor Metals Corp. or email jschroenn@capacitormetals.com.

Last modified: March 24, 2025