Columbite, also called
niobite,
niobite-tantalite and
columbate [(
Fe,
Mn)
Nb2O6], is a black
mineral group that is an ore of
niobium. It has a submetallic
luster and a high density and is a niobate of
iron and
manganese. This mineral group was first found in
Haddam, Connecticut, in the
United States. It forms a series with the
tantalum-dominant analogue
ferrotantalite and one with the manganese-dominant analogue
manganocolumbite. The iron-rich member of the columbite group is
ferrocolumbite. Some tin and tungsten may be present in the mineral.
Yttrocolumbite is the yttrium-rich columbite with the formula (Y,U,Fe)(Nb,Ta)O
4. It is a radioactive mineral found in
Mozambique.