Tantalum ores are naturally occurring minerals that contain the element tantalum, which is a rare and valuable metal. The most common tantalum ore is columbite-tantalite, often referred to as "coltan." Tantalum is primarily used in the electronics industry for manufacturing capacitors and high-performance alloys. These ores are typically mined in regions rich in mineral deposits, such as parts of Africa and Australia. The extraction process involves crushing the ore and using chemical methods to separate tantalum from other elements. Due to its high demand, the mining of tantalum ores has significant economic implications for producing countries.