A backscattered electron image of Niobobaotite. [Photo/WeChat account of Baotou Daily]

Niobobaotite – a new mineral discovered by China Nuclear Geology Technology Co – was officially approved by the International Mineral Association with the approval number IMA 2022-127a on Oct 3.

This is the 13th new mineral discovered in China's nuclear geological system since its establishment nearly 70 years ago.

Niobobaotite was discovered in the Bayan Obo deposit in Baotou, North China's Inner Mongolia autonomous region. The deposit is quite rich in all mineral species, and more than 150 minerals have been discovered there so far.

Niobium is a silver-gray, soft and ductile rare metal. Adding an appropriate amount of niobium to the metal material can significantly improve its corrosion resistance, ductility, electrical conductivity and heat resistance.

The above characteristics make niobium an important material for the research of superconducting technology, information technology, new energy technology and space technology.

Previously, about 90 percent of niobium resources needed by Chinese industries depended on imports. The discovery of Niobobaotite by Chinese scientists is an important scientific achievement that will reduce China's dependence on foreign supplies.