Asian Metal visits Zhaoqing Duoluoshan Rare Metal, Conghua Tantalum & Niobium Smeltery, Guangdong Jiayuan Metal and Guangzhou Conghua Dongyuan Enterprise

On March 25th-26th,2013, June Cai, analyst of TaNb division of Minor Metals Department of Asian Metal, visited Zhaoqing Duoluoshan Rare Metal Co., Ltd, Conghua Tantalum & Niobium Smeltery, Guangdong Jiayuan Metal Co., Ltd and Guangzhou Conghua Dongyuan Enterprise Co., Ltd.

In the morning on March 25th, June Cai visited Zhaoqing Duoluoshan Rare Metal Co., Ltd, and was visited by Yao Weidong, vice-president of the company, and Xiao Jinwei, sales manager of domestic market. The company is the largest domestic private company in the TaNb industry with the most complete series of products and a history of 15 years. The products producing in the company including from potassium fluotantalate to tantalum powder of high specific volume, and from common niobium to niobium bars and products. Mr. Xiao guided June visiting the processing workshop and introduced production status of current products, meanwhile, Mr. Yao exchanged views with Asian Metal on domestic and international market of TaNb market at present.

In the afternoon on Mar 25th, June visited Peng Guangming, general manager of Guangzhou Conghua Dongyuan Enterprise Co., Ltd. which currently does business on the process of common grade oxide and trading of mineral ore. Mr. Peng noted that tantalum concentrate price is still firm on international market at about USD120/lb, while import price of Chinese tantalum concentrate is as high as at USD115/lb. Although current market is sluggish, most manufactures still have confident to future market.

In the morning on Mar 26th, June visited Conghua Tantalum & Niobium Smeltery and was welcomed by Ceng Guozhong, director of the plant, Xiao Wenping, general manager of administration division, Zheng Huiquan, chief of the business department and Zi Chenrui, Mr Zheng’s assistant. Founded in 1960 and originally named 723 Plant, Conghua Tantalum & Niobium Smeltery changed its name in 1970 and came under the jurisdiction of Gaungdong Guangsheng Ferrous Metal Group Co., Ltd. The company acquired green permit into international market after being approved by the Electronic Industry Code of Conduct in December 2012. At first, Mr. Zheng guided Asian Metal visiting the processing factory and made a detailed introduction in the related technologies on work flow of the products. Soon afterwards, June communicated with Mr. Zeng, Mr. Zheng and Ms Zi on current market development and made an exclusive interview to Mr. Zeng.

In the afternoon on Mar 26th, Asian Metal visited Guangdong Jiayuan Metal Co., Ltd which is subordinated to Jiayuan Cobalt Industry Group and mainly operating with procurement and sales of tantalum, niobium, copper and cobalt on international market. June talked with Wu Weiju, general manager of the international business department, and was told that the firm ore price on international market started to become weak as import price of Chinese tantalum concentrate was at USD115/lb. Ms Wu also noted that the company mainly produces niobium oxide and deliver materials on long-term contracts. She also indicated that with uncertainties for future market of tantalum, the company is going to primarily keep a wait-and-see approach to the market.