Tantalum at Shaakichiuwaanaan
Lithium anchors PMET’s development strategy at Shaakichiuwaanaan; alongside it, significant caesium and tantalum resources create opportunities
Tantalum
One of the Largest and Highest-Grade Tantalum Pegmatites Globally
Shaakichiuwaanaan combines large-scale lithium potential with one of the world’s largest tantalum pegmatite resource, offering low-cost, high-value by-product opportunities that enhance the Project’s strategic appeal.
Tantalum Pegmatite Resource
- 108.0 Mt at 166 ppm Ta₂O₅ (indicated)
- 33.4 Mt at 155 ppm Ta₂O₅ (inferred)
- translates to approximately 23,100 tonnes of contained tantalum oxide
High‑Grade Zones Already Identified
- Drill results reveal tantalum-rich zones overlapping with lithium-rich zones
By‑Product Strategy Reduces Risk and Capex
Tantalum, primarily found in tantalite within lithium-caesium-tantalum (LCT) pegmatites, could be recovered as a cost-effective by-product, leveraging existing lithium processing infrastructure and opening a low-risk avenue to add high-margin value
Critical Mineral with Strong Market Demand
As a key component in capacitors, aerospace, medical devices, and defense electronics, tantalum is a strategically critical mineral. Adding this to a secure, Canadian-based resource strengthens the Shaakichiuwaanaan Project’s global relevance
Supporting advanced technology and supply diversification
Tantalum is high-value mineral, currently valued at over US$220/lbs for concentrate grading 30%. It’s used in electronic components and specialized industrial materials, including capacitor powders and wires, surface acoustic wave filters, semiconductor manufacturing materials and high-performance alloys. Its end markets include communications, computing, aerospace and defence.
Research from OnG Commodities forecasts tantalum demand increasing from approximately 3,000 tonnes of Ta₂O₅ in 2026 to 5,500 tonnes in 2036, with the AI investment cycle as a big contributor to the increased demand.
For customers, continuity of supply can be especially important where replacing a material requires component redesign and requalification.
Why an additional Canadian source could matter
Tantalum supply is exposed to geographic concentration and disruption. Central Africa is accounting for approximately 65% of global supply and artisanal mining makes up almost 80% of the global supply.
A potential new source associated with a Canadian hard-rock lithium operation could help diversify that supply base. For PMET, the opportunity is to recover an additional saleable mineral from material being mined as part of the lithium operation.
Evaluating tantalum recovery at Shaakichiuwaanaan
PMET’s consolidated CV5+CV13 Mineral Resource contains tantalum alongside lithium, including 108.0 million tonnes grading 166 ppm Ta₂O₅ in the Indicated category and 33.4 million tonnes grading 155 ppm Ta₂O₅ in the Inferred category. The updated CV5 Feasibility Study, targeted for Q4 2026, is assessing a tantalite recovery circuit and the inclusion of tantalum as a co-product.
The commercial rationale is straightforward: recovering more than one valuable mineral from the same mined material could broaden the Project’s revenue base.
Tantalum will also be included with lithium and caesium in the broader CV5+CV13 PEA, likewise targeted for Q4 2026. The two studies will provide different levels of assessment: an updated feasibility case for CV5 and a preliminary evaluation of the broader Project.
