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METALS &
MINERALS

leading the global energy transition for a resilient future

At Hambrox, our main focus is on commodities essential for the global shift towards clean, renewable energy to combat climate change. The rapid evolution in the energy industry requires vast infrastructure changes and new technologies that are more environmentally friendly to reduce carbon emissions and enhance energy security for the future.

Antimony - Bauxite - Chrome - Copper - Fluospar - Gadolinium - Gallium - Graphite - Iron Ore - Lead - Samarium - Tantalum - Tungsten - Yttrium - Zinc

ANTIMONY

Ore / Concentrate
Ingots / Compounds

Antimony (Sb) is one of six commonly recognised metalloids which are a group of chemical elements that exhibit properties of both metals and non-metals. It is produced from the mineral ore Stibnite (Sb₂S₃) or by recovery as a by-product from the smelting of gold, silver, copper and lead ores. Antimony is further processed and refined into a range of intermediate products such as metal ingots, concentrates and antimony trioxide (Sb₂O₃), which are in turn used in various downstream products and industries.

51

 Sb

                     121.76

Applications

Battery Manufacturing 

Lead-acid battery grids for improved strength and durability

Fire Retardants 

Used in plastics, textiles, and coatings for enhanced fire resistance

Alloys & Metallurgy 

Hardening agent in lead, tin and other metals  for industrial uses

Electronics & Semiconductors

Essential in high-performance electronic components

Glass & Ceramics

Used in decolorizing and refining specialty glass

BAUXITE

Ore / Concentrate

Bauxite is a soft and light sedimentary rock that has a wide range of use thanks to its properties of easy workability, electrical and thermal conductivity, and corrosion resistance. Bauxite also has a relatively high aluminium content and is hence the world's main source of aluminium and gallium. Bauxite ore is mined, processed and then refined to recover alumina which in turn is smelted to produce aluminium metal.

Applications

BAUXITE

Aluminium Production 

Refined into aluminum oxide via the Bayer process, which is then smelted into lightweight, corrosion-resistant aluminum

Refractory Materials 

Utilised in high-temperature industrial settings  — such as linings for steelmaking furnaces, kilns, and stoves—due to its exceptional heat resistance

Abrasives

Processed into calcined bauxite to manufacture hard abrasive grains and tools used for cutting, grinding, sanding and polishing

Cement Manufacturing

Added as a raw material in the production of high-alumina cement, which offers rapid-setting properties and strong resistance to chemical corrosion

Chemical Industry

Used to manufacture various aluminum-based chemicals, including aluminum sulfate for water & wastewater treatment and aluminum chloride

Steel Industry

Employed as a slag corrector to adjust the chemical properties of slag during steel manufacturing

COPPER

Ore / Concentrate

Ore

 

 

Copper ore is a naturally occurring mineral containing copper that can be economically extracted. The most common types of ores are sulfides and oxides. Differrent processes are used to extract copper from the respective ores to produce copper concentrates.

Concentrate

Copper concentrates are used as raw material by smelters to produce the resultant metal which is widely used in various industries becuse of its high electrical and heat conductivity, malleability, ability to form alloys with other metals, and resistance to corrosion.

29

 Cu

                    63.546

Applications

Electrical and Electronics

  • Wiring and Cables: Electrical wiring uses pure copper because it carries power with very little energy loss.

  • Motors and Transformers: Copper coils help convert electricity into motion or change voltage levels efficiently.

  • Circuit Boards: Printed circuit boards use thin copper layers to connect components in computers and phones.

Construction and Plumbing

  • Plumbing Pipes: Copper pipes handle high water pressure and hot or cold temperatures without breaking.

  • Roofing and Architecture: Builders use copper sheets for roofing and gutters because the metal resists rust and forms a protective green outer layer over time.

  • Heating Systems: Underfloor heating and radiators use copper to transfer heat quickly.

Renewable Energy and Transportation

  • Electric Vehicles (EVs): Electric cars use much more copper than standard gas vehicles for their batteries, wiring, and charging stations.

  • Wind and Solar Power: Wind turbines and solar panels rely on copper to capture and move clean electricity safely.

Common Alloys and Other Uses

  • Brass and Bronze: Mixing copper with zinc creates brass for instruments and valves; mixing it with tin creates bronze for statues and bearings.

  • Medical and Antimicrobial: Hospitals use copper on door handles and push plates because its surface kills bacteria naturally.

CHROME

Ore / Concentrate

Ore

Chrome ore is primarily composed of the mineral Chromite, which is the sole commercial source of Chromium metal and its compounds. The vast majority of chrome ore is used in the production of ferrochrome, which is an essential ingredient in stainless steel. Ferrochrome provides the corrosion resistance properties of stainless steel.

Concentrate

Chrome concentrate is refined, high-grade form of chromium processed from raw chrome ore. The process involves screening, scrubbing, and gravity separation to increase the chromium trioxide (Cr₂O₃) content typically to between 40% and 55%. 

24

 Cr

                     51.996

Applications

ORE

  • Stainless Steel: Accounts for the vast majority of consumption; chromium (>11%) provides rust and corrosion resistance.

  • Alloys & Superalloys: Used with nickel and iron for aerospace components, turbine blades, and rocket engines.

  • Refractories & Chemicals: Formed into chrome-magnesite bricks for high-temperature furnaces, or processed into chromium chemicals for electroplating, tanning, and pigments.

CONCENTRATE

  • Metallurgy: Used to charge ferrochrome furnaces for producing stainless steel and other specialized alloys.

  • Refractories: Manufactured into high-temperature resistant industrial linings and magnesia-chrome bricks.

  • Chemicals & Ceramics: serves as a foundational raw material for producing essential chromium chemicals and durable ceramic products.

FLUOSPAR

Ore / Concentrate

Fluorspar is the commercial name for the mineral Fluorite (Calcium Fluoride, CaF₂), which serves as the world's primary industrial source of the element Fluorine. The mineral is categorised into different grades depending on the percentage of CaF₂. It is an important industrial mineral which can be used directly or indirectly to manufacture various products and the specific application depends on its purity.

 9

  F

                     18.998

Commercial Grades

  • Acid Grade (≥ 97% CaF₂): Accounts for the majority of consumption; used to produce hydrogen fluoride (HF) and downstream fluorochemicals.

  • Ceramic Grade (85%–95% CaF₂): Utilized as an opacifier and flux in the manufacture of glass, enamels, and fiberglass.

  • Metallurgical Grade (60%–85% CaF₂): Used directly as a fluxing agent in iron and steel smelting to lower melting temperatures and remove impurities.

  • Cement Grade (35%–60% CaF₂): Used primarily as a mineraliSer and fluxing agent in the cement manufacturing process.

Applications

  • Clean Tech & Batteries: Essential for manufacturing electrolyte salts, binders, and coatings in lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles and renewable energy storage.

  • Chemicals & Refrigerants: Basis for producing hydrofluoric acid, fluoropolymers, and eco-friendly refrigeration/air conditioning gases.

  • Metallurgy: Acts as a critical flux in aluminum production (as aluminum fluoride) and steelmaking.

  • Nuclear & Optics: Used to create uranium hexafluoride (UF₆) for nuclear fuel processing, as well as specialized low-dispersion UV/IR optical lenses.

GADOLINIUM

Oxide

Gadolinium is a silvery-white, rare-earth metal chemical element. It is strongly magnetic below 20 °C (68 °F) and acts as a powerful paramagnetic material at room temperature. In its free, unbonded form, gadolinium is toxic to the human body. As an oxide it is a versatile material used in biomedical and imaging applications. It has excellent chemical and thermal stability, making it ideal for contrast agents in MRI.

64

 Gd

                     157.25

Applications

Medical and Biomedical Imaging

  • MRI Contrast Agents: It serves as a base material to create gadolinium-based agents that enhance the clarity of MRI scans by altering water proton relaxation times.

  • Fluorescence Labeling: Nanoparticles doped with elements like europium provide bright red luminescence for biological tracking and microscopy.

Nuclear Technology

  • Neutron Absorbers: It acts as a burnable poison mixed into nuclear fuel pellets for water-cooled reactors. This absorbs excess neutrons early in the fuel cycle to flatten power output.

  • Radiation Shielding: Its high neutron-capture cross-section makes it useful in compact shielding and radiation detection equipment.

Optics, Electronics, and Lighting

  • Phosphors and Scintillators: It is used to manufacture phosphors for X-ray imaging screens, cathode-ray tubes, and high-efficiency lighting.

  • Optical Glass: Adding it to specialized glass improves thermal stability, refractive index, and durability.

  • Micro-electronics: It acts as a high-dielectric gate insulator in modern semiconductor devices like transistors.

Energy and Advanced Materials

  • Solid Oxide Fuel Cells: Combined with ceria, it forms an electrolyte material (gadolinium-doped ceria) that conducts ions efficiently at lower operational temperatures.

  • Superconductors: It helps produce high-temperature superconducting tapes used in specialized generators and magnets.

  • Metallurgy: Small amounts added to metal alloys increase tensile strength, microhardness, and thermal stability.

GALLIUM

Metal

Gallium is a post-transition metal that is commonly found in trace amounts in other minerals. It does not occur in its elemental form in nature but is extracted from other ores such as bauxite and zinc through refining processes. It is known for its low melting point. Even though Gallium is a solid at room temperature, it is still very soft. It is one of four metals that turn liquid at just above room temperature.

31

 Ga

                    69.723

Applications

Electronics and Semiconductors

  • Gallium arsenide (GaAs): Used in 5G base stations, smartphone chips, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and infrared face-recognition sensors.

  • Gallium nitride (GaN): Powers fast phone chargers, blue and violet LEDs, Blu-ray players, and power converters for electric vehicles.

  • Solar cells: Used in thin-film solar panels and space rovers because it turns sunlight into electricity very well.

Liquid Alloys and Special Uses

  • Galinstan: A mix of gallium, indium, and tin that stays liquid at room temperature. It replaces toxic mercury in thermometers.

  • Medical uses: Radioactive gallium is used in scans to find cancer or infections.

GRAPHITE

Lumps / Powder

Vein Graphite

There are three main types of graphite: flake, vein, and amorphous. Vein Graphite is the rarest. It is extremely pure with very high carbon content of up to 99.5%. It is a naturally occurring form of graphite found in veins within rock fissures in the form of needle-like crystals. Vein Graphite is highly valuable because of its high grade and very limited availability. It is currently comercially mined exclusively in Sri Lanka. It is supplied directly from the mine, and does not require primary beneficiation. Sri Lanka is renowned for its high-quality vein graphite and is the only known producer in commercial quantities. Sri Lankan vein graphite is naturally the highest grade in the world.

 6

  C

                      12.011

Applications

Industrial and Technological Uses

  • Lithium-Ion Batteries: Serves as the primary active anode material for batteries powering electric vehicles, consumer electronics, and energy storage.

  • Refractories and Furnaces: Forms linings for high-temperature industrial furnaces, crucibles, and metallurgical reactors due to its extreme heat tolerance.

  • Steelmaking Electrodes: Molded into synthetic graphite electrodes used in electric arc furnaces to melt and refine iron and steel.

  • Nuclear Reactors: Acts as a high-purity neutron moderator to slow down fast-moving neutrons and control nuclear fission chain reactions

Everyday and Mechanical Applications

  • Lubricants: Utilized as a dry lubricant in powders, fluids, or greases because its layered atomic structure slides easily to reduce friction in machinery, locks, and brakes.

  • Pencils: Mixed with clay to create the marking core (commonly called "lead") in writing and drawing pencils.

  • Brakes and Clutches: Incorporated into automotive friction materials to manage high-temperature stopping transitions and reduce noise.

  • Arts and Coatings: Used in artist sketching materials, water-repellent protective paints, and conductive coatings.

IRON ORE

Fines / Lumps

Iron ores are rocks and minerals from which metallic iron can be economically extracted. The ores are heated in the presence of a reductant to yield metallic iron. The ore almost always consists of iron oxides, the primary forms of which are Magnetite and Hematite. Iron ore is the source of primary iron for the world's iron and steel industries. About 98% of mined iron ore is converted into pig iron and used to manufacture steel for construction, transport, and infrastructure.

26

 Fe

                    55.845

Applications

Steel and Iron Production (98%)

  • Construction: Used to make structural steel for buildings, bridges, and railways.

  • Transportation: Processed into automotive frames, ship hulls, and railway tracks.

  • Manufacturing: Forms machinery, heavy tools, and industrial equipment.

  • Cast Iron & Alloys: Creates specialized items like piping, hardware, stainless steel cookware, and cutlery.

Specialized and Niche Applications (2%)

  • Pigments and Dyes: Ground hematite and limonite form anti-rust paints, ceramics, and yellow-brown ochre pigments.

  • Catalysts and Magnets: Magnetite and powdered iron act as chemical catalysts (such as in the Haber-Bosch process) and components in magnets or ferrofluids.

  • Water Treatment: Used in heavy media separation, coal washing, and removing impurities like cadmium or wastewater pollutants.

  • Medicine and Cosmetics: Utilized in specific cosmetic fillers, polishing compounds, and radioactive iron tracers for biochemical research.

LEAD

Ore / Ingots

Lead ore is a naturally occurring rock or mineral mixture from which metallic lead can be extracted. It is frequently found alongside other metals like zinc, copper, and silver. The most common and important primary ore of lead is Galena which makes up about 86% of the mineral by weight. It is heavy, shiny grey, and forms distinct cubic crystals. Cerussite is a secondary oxidized lead mineral formed by weathering and Anglesite is another secondary oxidized mineral created when galena reacts with sulfate solutions. Raw mined rock typically contains low percentages of lead and must be crushed, ground, and concentrated (often via froth flotation) before it is smelted into pure metal.

Applications

82

 Pb

                      207.2

  • Lead-Acid Batteries: Accounts for roughly 85% to 88% of total lead consumption globally, powering vehicles, emergency backup power systems, and renewable energy storage.

  • Radiation Shielding: Used in medical equipment (such as X-ray room walls and protective aprons) and nuclear facilities because its high density effectively absorbs harmful radiation.

  • Ammunition: Cast into bullets, slugs, and shotgun pellets due to its high density and easy melting point.

  • Construction and Architecture: Utilized for specialized roofing, flashing, and soundproofing or vibration-dampening pads (such as under foundations near subways).

  • Cable Sheathing: Applied as a corrosion-resistant protective coating for underground and underwater power or communication cables.

  • Alloys and Solders: Combined with other metals for specialized casting alloys, weights, and solders, though usage in electronics has declined due to health regulations.

SAMARIUM

Oxides / Compounds

Samarium is one of the most important rare earth elements used today as it plays a critical role in aerospace, defense, medical, and high-tech industries. In its pure form, samarium is a silvery-white metal that tarnishes slowly in air. Samarium alloyed with cobalt makes powerful permanent magnets, which have the highest known resistance to demagnetization. From magnetic materials in defense systems to isotopes used in cancer treatment, samarium plays a critical role in industries that require strength, stability and precision.

Applications

62

Sm

                      150.36

  • High-Temperature Magnets: Alloyed with cobalt to create samarium–cobalt magnets which can resist extreme heat of above 700 °C where other rare-earth magnets fail, making them vital for aerospace, defense, and jet engines.

  • Nuclear Reactors: Uses the isotope samarium-149 as a strong neutron absorber in control rods to regulate nuclear chain reactions safely.

  • Cancer Treatment: Uses the radioisotope samarium-153 in the drug lexidronam (Quadramet) to kill cancer cells and relieve bone pain from metastases.

  • Catalysts and Optics: Acts as a chemical catalyst for reactions like ethanol dehydration and is used in infrared-absorbing glass, phosphors for displays, and lasers.

TANTALUM

Ore / Concentrate

Coltan is a black metallic ore made from a mixture of two minerals, namely columbite and tantalite. The niobium-dominant mineral in coltan is columbite and the tantalum-dominant mineral is tantalite. Coltan is thus of strategic importance as it can be refined into the two critical elements niobium and tantalum. Tantalum is a hard transition metal that is critically important in modern technology due to its exceptional resistance to heat, having a very high melting point, corrosion resistant and unique electrical properties.

73

 Ta

                     180.95

Applications

Electronics and Microelectronics

  • Capacitors: Tantalum capacitors form a stable, microscopic oxide dielectric layer that delivers high capacitance in a tiny volume. They are heavily used in smartphones, laptops, and automotive electronics.

  • Semiconductors: Tantalum compounds like tantalum chloride and tantalum silicide act as thin-film diffusion barriers and conductive layers during microchip manufacturing.

  • Resistors: Tantalum nitride forms stable thin-film resistors for high-reliability microcircuits.

Chemical Processing Industry

  • Equipment Linings: Tantalum resists hot, aggressive acids—including hydrochloric, nitric, and sulfuric acids. It is used to line chemical reactors, heat exchangers and pipelines.

  • Industrial Heaters: Fabricated components like bayonet heaters and pressure vessels operate safely in corrosive refinery and pharmaceutical environments.

Aerospace and Defense

  • Jet Engines: Superalloys containing nickel and tantalum withstand continuous operating temperatures up to 1500°C in turbine blades and combustion chambers.

  • Thermal Shielding: Pure tantalum and its tungsten alloys protect rocket nozzles, missile nose cones, and spacecraft thermal protection systems from extreme re-entry heat.

Medical and Biomedical Technology

  • Surgical Implants: Tantalum is completely biocompatible and non-reactive with body fluids, making it ideal for orthopedic hip replacements, dental implants, and porous bone scaffolds.

  • Radiographic Markers: Used as a radiopaque agent or surgical mesh to repair cranial plates and reinforce soft tissues.

TUNGSTEN

Ore / AMT / APT

Wolfram ore, commonly known as Wolframite, is a dark, heavy iron-manganese tungstate mineral that serves as the primary global commercial source of the metal tungsten. Tungsten is a dense, corrosion-resistant metal with the highest melting point of any element, making it essential for high-performance, high-temperature applications, from electronics to aerospace. Tungsten is often combined with other elements to create hard materials like tungsten carbide or heat-resistant alloys which are more practical for industrial uses.

74

 W

                     183.85

Applications

Industrial and Cutting Tools

  • Tungsten Carbide: Combined with carbon, it creates an extremely hard material used for industrial drills, circular saws, and cutting dies.

  • Tool Steels: Mixed into high-speed steels to make them tough and wear-resistant at high operating speeds.

  • Abrasives: Used to grind, shape, and cut hard surfaces in construction and manufacturing.

Electronics and Lighting

  • Filaments: Used in incandescent light bulbs because it can glow brightly at ultra-high temperatures without melting.

  • Electrical Contacts: Found in high-performance switches and electrical components due to its resistance to heat and electrical wear.

  • Semiconductors: Utilized in integrated circuits and thin-film electrical connections.

Aerospace and Defense

  • Armor-Piercing Shells: Used in kinetic energy heavy military projectiles due to its immense density and strength.

  • Rocket Nozzles: Built into rocket engines and turbine blades to withstand extreme heat and pressure.

  • Counterweights: Acts as high-density ballast in aircraft, sailing keels, and spacecraft.

Medical and Scientific

  • Radiation Shielding: Used for X-ray anodes, syringe shields, and containers for radioactive isotopes because it blocks radiation effectively.

  • Medical Equipment: Found in high-speed dental drills and surgical components.

YTTRIUM

Oxides / Compounds

Yttrium is a highly crystalline iron-gray, rare-earth metal. It is fairly stable in air, because it is proteced by the formation of a stable oxide film on its surface, but oxidizes readily when heated. Yttrium is primarily used to improve the performance of electronic materials, medical technologies, advanced ceramics, and energy systems. As a rare earth element, yttrium enhances thermal stability, luminescence, and mechanical strength in a wide range of materials. These properties make yttrium essential in applications that require high reliability and precision.

Applications

39

  Y

                   88.906

  • LEDs and Displays: Yttrium oxide combined with europium creates the vibrant red color in LED lights, fluorescent lamps, and older color television screens.

  • Lasers (YAG): Yttrium aluminum garnet (YAG) crystals are crucial for high-powered lasers used in industrial metal cutting, welding, and medical surgeries.

  • Alloys and Metallurgy: Adding small amounts of yttrium to aluminum and magnesium alloys increases their strength, reduces grain size, and improves resistance to high temperatures and oxidation for aerospace use.

  • Ceramics and Thermal Barriers: Yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) is used for thermal barrier coatings in jet engines, gas turbines, and as an oxygen sensor or solid oxide fuel cell electrolyte.

  • Superconductors: Yttrium is a core component in yttrium barium copper oxide (YBCO), a high-temperature superconducting material.

  • Cancer Treatment: The radioactive isotope yttrium-90 is used in targeted radioembolization therapy to treat liver tumors. 

ZINC

Ore / Concentrate

Zinc ore is a rock containing minerals from which elemental zinc can be economically extracted. The primary and most common ore mineral for zinc is Sphalerite which accounts for roughly 95% of global zinc production. Zinc is a critical global mineral resource as it ranks as the fourth most consumed metal worldwide behind iron, aluminum, and copper. 

Applications

30

 Zn

                      63.39

  • Galvanisation: Zinc is predominantly used for the galvanisation of iron and steel to prevent rust, which is significant in both construction and the automotive industry.

  • Alloys: Zinc is employed in the production of various alloys; brass, an alloy of zinc and copper, is used in plumbing fixtures, musical instruments and coins.

  • Batteries: Zinc is a component in dry batteries such as alkaline batteries, which are used in everyday electronics.

  • Agriculture: Zinc is a micronutrient for plants and is often included in fertilisers.

  • Cosmetics and Pharmaceuticals: Zinc oxide is incorporated in sunscreens, ointments and lotions due to its skin-protective properties.

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