The Cabot Corporation has owned the Tantalum Mining Corporation (TANCO) since 1993. TANCO mines and processes pollucite, spodumene and tantalum ores for various markets worldwide. Mining is carried out using the room and pillar method. Ore is harvested with underground machinery and hoisted to the surface for processing using various techniques, such as gravity concentration, flotation and grinding.

Pollucite is mined, ground to 200 mesh, and processed into cesium formate and fine cesium chemicals. Cesium formate is concentrated through an evaporation process, buffered and packed in IBCs. Tantalum is used in the electronics industry (high-quality capacitors) and for cutting tools. Spodumene is suitable for ceramic and speciality glass industries.

Pollucite ore