A phosphate mineral rich in rare earth elements, primarily used for rare earth extraction and as a source of thorium.

Widely used in the production of rare earth metals for high-performance magnets in wind turbines and electric vehicles, catalysts in petroleum refining, polishing powders for optics, and in some cases as a thorium source for advanced nuclear fuel cycles.

Found as monazite sand or concentrate (rare earth phosphate mineral [(Ce,La,Nd,Th)PO₄]) typically produced as a byproduct of heavy mineral sand mining for titanium and zircon.

A silicate mineral rich in zirconium and hafnium, primarily used for ceramic production and as the principal source of zirconium metal. 

Widely used in the production of opacifiers for ceramic tiles and sanitary ware, refractory materials for high-temperature casting and steel linings, and zirconium metal for nuclear fuel rod cladding and corrosion-resistant chemical piping. 

Found as zircon sand or concentrate (zirconium silicate [ZrSiO₄]) typically produced as a co-product of heavy mineral sand mining alongside titanium minerals (ilmenite, rutile) and monazite.

A heavy, iron- and manganese-bearing tantalum oxide mineral [(Fe,Mn)Ta₂O₆], and the primary ore of tantalum, a critical technology metal.

Tantalum is widely used in the manufacture of capacitors for electronics (smartphones, laptops, automotive systems, aerospace), in superalloys for jet engines, in surgical implants and medical devices (due to tantalum’s biocompatibility), and in specialty glass and cutting tools.

Found in pegmatite deposits and as alluvial concentrates; typically mined in Africa (Nigeria, DRC, Rwanda) and parts of South America and Australia. Often produced as a concentrate (tantalite ore) that must be refined to extract tantalum pentoxide (Ta₂O₅) before further processing.