Anglo American

The Process

Ferroniobium production starts with the open pit extraction and transportation of the ore to the crushing facility and formation of homogeneous piles. Material then undergoes several stages of concentration to have impurities removed in high temperature reactors through acid and alcaline reagents. The purified concentrate is exposed to temperatures between 900ºC and 1,000ºC for drying and removal of organic elements.

The next stage is an aluminothermic reaction in which other reagents such as fluorite and blue dust are added besides the reducing agent - aluminium powder. Special quantities and a specific balance of these inputs produce a ferroniobium alloy with an average of 66% Nb content.