A significant discovery of tantalum has been made in the Bewadze-Mankoadze area of the Kibi-Winneba Belt in southern Ghana, according to a new study led by researchers Emmanuel Daanoba Sunkari, Joshua Nkansah, and Salaam Jansbaka Adams.
Their findings, published in a paper titled “Geochemical Exploration for Tantalum in Coltan-Rich Pegmatites at Bewadze-Mankoadze Area of the Kibi-Winneba Belt Southern Ghana,” detail the identification of tantalum-rich pegmatites, which are abundant in the igneous rock known as pegmatite.
The research involved comprehensive petrographic analysis and statistical evaluations of major and minor elements to pinpoint tantalum deposits in the region.
By examining rock samples from pegmatite outcrops, the team was able to map geochemical anomalies concentrated in the southwestern section of the study area, where they recommend future exploration efforts be concentrated.
Notably, tantalum-rich pegmatites have also been identified in other southern Ghana locations, including Ewoyaa, Biriwa, and Winneba.
Tantalum is increasingly recognized as a critical mineral for modern energy-saving technologies, particularly in capacitors essential for renewable energy systems such as solar panels, wind turbines, and electric vehicles.
The researchers highlighted the potential for Ghana to boost its foreign exchange earnings significantly through the strategic exploitation of these tantalum deposits. Additionally, the mineral’s by-products could support the country’s renewable energy initiatives.
The tantalum-bearing pegmatites also contain other valuable minerals, including spodumene, beryl, and tourmaline, which further enhance their economic viability.
This discovery positions Ghana as a potentially significant player in the global tantalum supply chain, especially at a time when demand for critical minerals is surging due to the global shift towards clean energy solutions.
