Tantalum

[hardcase]

Still looking for Tantalum mines?

I found these notes I kept from some research I did a few months ago and thought you tantalum bugs might be interested.... ( Don't know if the URLs are still good....

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Avalon is exploring two targets in Ontario and one on the border in Manitoba. It has a deal with a private company in the tantalum industry giving that firm the right to earn a 50-per-cent interest in any of Avalon's tantalum targets by spending $5-million ( Canadian ) on exploration.Tantalum Mining has a joint venture with Gossan Resources Ltd. of Winnipeg to explore a property near Kenora.Other Canadian juniors looking for tantalum in Ontario include Houston Lake Mining Inc. of Val Caron, Ont., and Champion Bear Resources Ltd. of Calgary.One of the largest U.S. producers of tantalum capacitors, Kemet Corp. of South Carolina, has reached a deal to help an Australian company develop tantalum properties in that country.Mine expansions and some exploration success could result in tantalum prices falling dramatically as they did in 1979-80 when another supply squeeze came to an end.

http://www.globeandmail.ca/gam/ROB/20010105/RTANT.html
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Leader Acquires Second Tantalum Project

CALGARY, Alberta-- ( BUSINESS WIRE ) --March 20, 2001--Leader Mining International Inc. ( OTCBB: LDRMF - news; CDNX: LMN. - news ) is pleased to announce that it has entered into an option agreement with Champlain Resources ( a private company ) to acquire up to 70% working interest in the New Ross Tantalum Project; which consists of approximately 21,000 acres of mineral claims within a historic tin-tungsten mineral district.

The properties are located approximately 70 km west of Halifax, Nova Scotia and possess excellent infrastructure with paved roads and power supply to provide for year round exploration and easy development.

Grab samples, by Champlain Resources, yielded Ta2O5 values up to 390ppm, 395ppm, and 972ppm Ta2O5 from a flat lying pegmatite outcrop and boulders over a strike length of 2,000 feet. In 1970, the Nova Scotia Department of Mines drilled 600 feet northwest of the primary pegmatite, and intersected another 2 foot wide pegmatite zone which produced a Ta2O5 value of 265ppm. For comparison, 25% of the world tantalum production comes from two Australian mines which grade 230ppm and 414ppm Ta2O5.

In addition to the tantalum bearing pegmatites, the underlying granites also show enrichment in tantalum. These highly fractionated, topaz bearing leucogranites could host large scale porphyry-type tantalum deposits, amenable to large-scale, low-cost open pit mining. Ta2O5 values of up to 50ppm have been obtained from these granites.

Leader is expecting to start detailed geological mapping and geochemical sampling in May. Diamond drilling program will follow. Leader has budgeted $150,000 for this initial work program, and a total expenditure of $600,000 is anticipated over the next 18 months.

This more advanced tantalum project compliments Leader's early-stage Bright Lake Tantalum Project and represents Leader's belief in the short-term, as well as the long-term, strength of the price and demand for tantalum; Leader's guiding philosophy is to capitalize on strategic opportunities in geologically under-explored terrains among politically stable jurisdictions.

Financing: Leader Mining has signed a letter of intent with Mr. Ernst Baer of Weinfelden, Switzerland to arrange a private placement in the amount of $500,000 @ $0.50/share with a half a share purchase warrant attached at $0.75 over 12 months. A 10% finders fee is payable on this transaction. The funds will be used for the tantalum projects and for general working capital.

http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/010320/0815.html

Have fun......
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