Tantalum Recovery Could Boost Shaakichiuwaanaan Project Economics—But Risks Remain

A Critical Minerals Powerhouse Emerges

Patriot Battery Metals Inc. is rapidly positioning its Shaakichiuwaanaan Project in Quebec as a critical minerals hub, with tantalum now emerging as a potentially lucrative by-product alongside its primary lithium focus. The project’s mineral resource estimate places it among the top five tantalum pegmatite deposits worldwide by both grade and tonnage, underscoring its strategic importance in the global critical metals landscape.

The Shaakichiuwaanaan deposit, comprising the CV5 and CV13 spodumene pegmatites, boasts an indicated resource of 108 million tonnes grading 1.40% lithium oxide and 166 parts per million tantalum oxide, with an additional inferred resource of 33 million tonnes at similar grades. This translates to over 23,000 tonnes of contained tantalum oxide, a metal critical for high-tech applications.

Unlocking Tantalum Value Through Conventional Processing

Patriot has commenced metallurgical testwork at SGS Canada’s Lakefield facility to evaluate tantalum recovery from lithium process waste streams. Early results are encouraging, with a concentrate grading approximately 19% tantalum oxide produced using simple magnetic and gravity separation techniques. These methods are well-established in the industry and have been successfully applied at other lithium pegmatite operations globally.

Importantly, the tantalum recovery circuit is designed as a bolt-on to the lithium processing plant, leveraging waste streams without compromising lithium recovery rates. This approach could enhance the project’s economics by generating additional revenue streams with minimal incremental processing costs.

Strategic Importance of Tantalum

Tantalum is a critical metal prized for its high melting point, corrosion resistance, and excellent electrical properties, making it indispensable in capacitors, aerospace components, medical devices, and emerging technologies such as quantum computing and 5G infrastructure. Global tantalum supply is currently dominated by conflict-affected regions in Africa, heightening demand for secure, conflict-free sources.

Shaakichiuwaanaan’s tantalum resource offers a stable North American supply alternative, aligning with increasing geopolitical and supply chain security concerns. Market forecasts anticipate tantalum demand growth of 4-6% annually through the decade, supported by technological innovation and strategic industrial shifts.

Next Steps and Market Implications

Patriot’s immediate focus remains on completing a lithium-only Feasibility Study for the CV5 pegmatite by Q3 2025. Following this, the company plans to integrate tantalum and other critical metals such as caesium and gallium into the project’s economic framework. Ongoing metallurgical testing and engagement with potential end-users aim to refine recovery processes and commercial strategies for these by-products.

With Shaakichiuwaanaan’s unique combination of scale, grade, and critical metal diversity, Patriot Battery Metals is well-placed to contribute meaningfully to North America’s critical minerals supply chain, potentially enhancing project returns and supporting broader strategic objectives.