Tantalum, an aerospace material, reached two-year highs due to upheaval in the Congo

Last week, tensions in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the world’s top supplier of tantalite, which is used in the electronics and aerospace industries, caused supply shortages that sent prices in Europe to two-year highs.

The price of tantalite on the European spot market is between $100 and $105.00 a pound, which is the highest since April 2023 and a 25% increase since the turmoil began in January.

Tantalum, a metal utilized in nuclear reactor components, medical equipment, and capacitors, is found in tantalite.

“Likely tagged tantalite is hard to come by due to the conflict that is affecting the Eastern DRC,” a minor metals merchant stated.

“You may place an order for material in a province that is unaffected by the conflict, only for the rebels to take over the area within two weeks of signing any deal.”

Following the start of a significant offensive by M23 rebels supported by Rwanda, bloodshed has increased in the DRC.

Many Western smelters are not getting tantalum from Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo because of this, according to Sian Morris, senior analyst for essential minerals at information provider Argus.

“They are obtaining their materials from Ethiopia, Mozambique, and Burundi instead. However, they are paying far higher costs because the supply from these nations is significantly smaller.

The United States Geological Survey reports that in 2024, Congo and Rwanda combined produced 1,230 metric tons of tantalum, or more than 58% of the world’s total.

In contrast, the combined contributions of Ethiopia, Mozambique, and Burundi made up only 4.6% of global supplies.

“There are no short-term swing producers to bring on tantalite production, except for artisanal mining which has both ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) and traceability concerns,” Piyush Goel, a consultant with the CRU

President Donald Trump has drawn U.S. attention to Congo’s abundant mineral resources.

Congo and Rwanda have submitted a draft peace proposal, according to his senior adviser for Africa, who made the announcement Monday. The goal of the process is to put an end to war in eastern Congo and draw in billions of dollars in Western investment.