coltan

col·tan | \ ˈkōl-ˌtan

How to pronounce coltan (audio)

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Definition of coltan

: a dull black ore that consists of a mixture of columbite and tantalite and is a minor source of tantalum

Examples of coltan in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web But mining operations are destroying these forests to extract minerals such as coltan—used in making electronics like cell phones and laptops. — National Geographic, "See the Full Archive," 21 Apr. 2020 Then there were the critical minerals in their phones and computers—the coltan, cobalt, and lithium—that are mined in Afghanistan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. — Eliza Griswold, The New Yorker, "Giving Up Carbon for Lent," 23 Mar. 2020 Congo produces some two-thirds of the world’s cobalt, a mineral key in the production of lithium-ion batteries that power laptops and electric cars, as well as coltan, copper, tantalum and tin, all used in modern electronics. — Gabriele Steinhauser, WSJ, "Congo Votes in Contentious Election," 30 Dec. 2018 The Western lowland gorilla's native habitat in Africa is shrinking due in part to mining of a metallic ore called coltan, a key ingredient in manufacturing batteries, including the kind found in our phones. — Jennifer Larino, NOLA.com, "Meet Audubon Zoo's new Western lowland gorilla troop," 1 Mar. 2018 Wakanda’s entire Vibranium economy is based on Congo’s exclusive rights to the rare mineral coltan (which is in basically EVERY cellphone). — Jason Johnson, The Root, "Hey, Dude: Black Panther Wasn’t Filmed in Africa, Just Like Star Wars Wasn’t Filmed in Space," 22 Jan. 2018 Race organizers ask for these donations because recycling cell phones reduces the need for additional coltan, a mineral extracted from the forests of Congo, home to endangered lowland gorillas. — Chris Barlow, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "With a new year upon us, try these 7 interesting and new workout options in Milwaukee area," 3 Jan. 2018 Congo produces some two-thirds of the world’s cobalt, a mineral key in the production of lithium-ion batteries that power laptops and electric cars, as well as coltan, copper, tantalum and tin, all used in modern electronics. — Gabriele Steinhauser, WSJ, "Congo Votes in Contentious Election," 30 Dec. 2018 Congo produces some two-thirds of the world’s cobalt, a mineral used in the production of lithium-ion batteries that power laptops and electric cars, and coltan, copper, tantalum and tin, all used in modern electronics. — Nicholas Bariyo, WSJ, "Congo Keeps Voters in the Dark About Election Results," 2 Jan. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'coltan.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Cite this Entry

“Coltan.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/coltan. Accessed 13 Jul. 2020.

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