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Who We Are
Tantalum Mining Corp. of Canada Ltd (Tanco) is one of the largest locally operated enterprise located on the northwest shore of Bernic Lake, Lac du Bonnet, Canada, it is well known for its large deposit of pollucite and is also one of the world’s largest producers of cesium. Tanco is currently owned by Sinomine (Hong Kong) Rare Metals Resource Co., Ltd. (a subsidiary of publicly traded non-government owned entity – Sinomine Resources Group)
Since the first 500 ton per day tantalum concentrator was built for commercial production in 1969, Tanco has been expanding its production capacity year by year.
Mining on the TANCO property began in the 1920’s, but the commercial mining of the TANCO pegmatite did not begin until 1969. Over the years, the property has commercially produced tin, tantalum, cesium, lithium, and rubidium. The currently mined products are tantalum, cesium, and lithium.
Tantalum is used mainly in the electronics industry, as its electronic properties make it ideal for use in capacitors. Tantalum also has a high melting point, strong resistance to corrosion, and good strength at high temperatures. Because of this, tantalum is included in “superalloys” which are used in aerospace structures and jet engines; in cemented carbides for wear-resistant applications such as cutting tools; and in the chemical industry in corrosion-resistant applications such as heat exchangers and liners for reactors and tanks.
Cesium at TANCO is mined in the form of the mineral pollucite. TANCO currently has 82% of the world’s known reserves of pollucite. Cesium is processed into several different products, the primary of which is cesium formate, a high-density brine used as a drilling fluid in deep-sea oil wells. The remaining products are various conventional cesium chemicals, such as cesium sulphate, cesium hydroxide, cesium carbonate and cesium chloride.
Lithium is produced from the mineral spodumene. Mined spodumene is concentrated into four different grades of lithia product. TANCO’s spodumene is used as a flux in the glass and ceramics industries. Lithia lowers thermal expansion and decreases the firing temperature in the ceramics industry. In glass making, lithia lowers both melting point and viscosity, allowing the improvement of glass quality and faster rates of production.
The majority of employees are from local communities, including the children of some of the original employees. The continuous operation of the mine over the years has produced a very stable workforce.
The TANCO pegmatite was discovered during a drill program by Jack Nutt Mines Limited in 1929. At the time, Jack Nutt Mines was producing tin concentrates from the ore of several pegmatites exposed on the surface of the surrounding claims. Jack Nutt Mines was trenching some of the exposed pegmatites to provide mill feed, and also sank a 2 compartment shaft to an eventual depth of 179 feet to gain access to pegmatites intersected by diamond drilling.
Jack Nutt Mines stopped work on the property in 1930 due to the stock market crash, and the claims eventually reverted back to the crown. No further exploration of the property occurred until 1955, when Montgary Petroleum, which later became Chemalloy Minerals, acquired the property and began an intensive drilling program. During the next 14 years, the pegmatite was drilled from both surface and underground, and evaluated for cesium, lithium, tantalum, quartz, and amblygonite. Limited amounts of quartz, pollucite, and amblygonite were mined and sold, and Montgary began sinking a new, 3-compartment shaft.
In 1967, a tantalum market study was carried out. A 500 ton bulk sample of tantalum ore was mined, and the Tantalum Mining Corporation of Canada, Limited was formed.
In 1968, construction began on a 500 ton per day tantalum concentrator. The new shaft was completed to its current depth of 553 feet, and underground development was accelerated. In 1969, the first tantalum concentrates were produced, with the concentrator reaching full production by September. Also in 1969, sales of pollucite to the Soviet Union began. On September 8, 1969, TANCO celebrated its grand opening.
From 1969 to 1982, TANCO produced over four million pounds of tantalum in concentrate. There was a 9-month tantalum shutdown in 1973, during which spodumene concentrate was produced in a pilot project.
In 1980, the price of tantalum hit a record high of $118 per pound of contained tantalum oxide. The high price was caused by a combination of high demand, low production of concentrate, and forecasts of increased demand for tantalum in the future. Processors of tantalum concentrate built up large inventories of tantalum as a hedge against perceived future shortages. As a result of the high price, the demand for tantalum began to drop as end-users switched to other materials and began recycling more tantalum. The price then began to drop dramatically. TANCO made the decision in 1982 to suspend operations at year end due to the low market demand and price of tantalum concentrate.
In 1984, TANCO began a pilot operation to produce ceramic grade spodumene concentrate. From 1984 until 1988, spodumene was the primary mined mineral. In 1988, TANCO gained “major supplier” status with Corning. Also by 1988, the price of tantalum had increased, due to increased demand for tantalum concentrates. TANCO once again began mining tantalum as a response to this demand. From 1988 to 1992, TANCO mined both spodumene and tantalum ores. Then in 1992, tantalum mining was suspended again, although tantalum concentrate was produced during the following two summers through the reprocessing of tantalum tailings. Cabot Corporation, which had been part of the TANCO joint venture since 1974, became the 100% owner of TANCO in 1993, through the purchase of the remaining interest from Hudson’s Bay Mining and Smelting and the Manitoba government. In 1995, tantalum mining recommenced, and has continued without cessation, along with spodumene ore, through to the present. In 2000, TANCO lost its contract with Corning, but continues to produce spodumene concentrates for a number of smaller customers.
Also in 1995, construction began on a plant for the production of cesium formate. Pollucite became a primary mined ore upon the commissioning of the chemical plant in 1997. The chemical plant was placed under care and maintenance in 1999 due to a drop in the price of petroleum, but resumed operations in 2000. In 2001, the plant was expanded to allow for the production of fine cesium chemicals.
Our Management
Xiangyang (Patrick) Zeng stands as a prominent figure in the mining industry, holding multiple influential positions: Assistant to the CEO of Sinomine Resource Group Co., Ltd., President of Sinomine (HK) Rare Metals Resources Co., Ltd., President and General Manager of Sinomine Specialty Fluids Ltd., and President of Tantalum Mining Corporation of Canada Ltd. (TANCO). With over three decades of experience, Patrick has proven himself a charismatic and visionary leader, significantly contributing to the management and development of the companies he serves. Patrick's collaboration with the CEO of Sinomine Group has been instrumental in driving the company's global success. He has expertly led and completed several large mergers and acquisitions, a testament to his strategic acumen and leadership skills. These successful ventures have played a crucial role in positioning Sinomine Group as a formidable force on the global stage in recent years. In addition to his achievements in mergers and acquisitions, Patrick is deeply involved in high-level corporate strategy development. His expertise spans both internal management and external investment strategies, ensuring that the companies under his leadership are well-positioned for sustained growth and innovation. His intrinsic entrepreneurial spirit is evident in his proactive efforts to establish an integrated lithium supply chain and solidify a strong presence in the North American market. Patrick's educational background is as impressive as his professional accomplishments. He holds a Master of Mining Engineering (M. Eng.) and a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering (BSc), which provide a solid foundation for his technical and managerial expertise. In summary, Xiangyang (Patrick) Zeng's extensive industry experience, strategic leadership, and entrepreneurial vision make him a pivotal figure in the mining sector. His ongoing contributions continue to shape the future of Sinomine Group and the broader mining industry.
Joey Champagne has been a dedicated member of the Tantalum Mining Corporation of Canada Ltd (TANCO) since March 2010. Throughout his tenure, Joey has held several pivotal roles including Safety, Health and Environment Manager, and Production Manager. His current role as the Operations Director sees him at the helm of the TANCO site where he oversees the multifaceted daily operations of the company. Joey's extensive background in both operational and safety management has equipped him with the skills necessary to lead various departments effectively. He is instrumental in steering strategic and tactical operations, ensuring that quality management deliverables meet stringent customer, product, and regulatory standards. His efforts in maintaining high standards of operational excellence have been fundamental to the success and ongoing development of the organization. Aside from his responsibilities at TANCO, Joey serves as Treasurer on the Board of Directors for the Mining Association of Manitoba. This role underscores his commitment to the broader mining community and his proficiency in financial oversight and organizational governance. Joey's academic credentials include formal training from the University of Manitoba and Red River Community College. This solid educational foundation complements his extensive professional experience, enabling him to address the complexities of the mining industry effectively. As a key team leader, Joey's role extends beyond mere management. He is deeply involved in directing company-wide initiatives and projects, ensuring that every department functions seamlessly towards the corporate goals. His leadership style is characterized by a balance of strategic vision and tactical precision, making sure that both immediate operational needs and long-term objectives are met. Under Joey's guidance, the TANCO site has flourished, demonstrating impressive operational efficiency and adherence to safety and environmental standards. His dedication to excellence ensures that the company not only meets but often exceeds industry benchmarks.
Frank Wang currently serves as the Assistant to CEO of Sinomine Group. He is also the President of the North America Division and is responsible for overseeing the operation of Tantalum Mining Corporation of Canada Limited (TANCO), Sinomine US Resources, and all other integral business development in North America. Graduated from St. Mary's University, Nova Scotia, Canada, Frank has over 10 years of industry experience in mine development, international trading, investments, and international Mergers & Acquisitions. He has worked in Canada, Southeast Asia, Australia, Eastern Europe, and Central and Southern Africa for many years. Through rich experience and expertise, he has led and participated in several hundred-million-dollar acquisitions and project investments over the last few years. Currently, Frank is actively exploring and focusing on the development of lithium business /projects in North America. He also endeavors to set up an integrated lithium supply chain for new energy industry.
Bill Curry has over 26 years of mining experience in technical, operational and management roles. His career has advanced through a variety of progressive responsibility roles in underground mining applications in the United States and Canada in both gold and base metal industries. He has been with the company since September 2022. Bill holds a Bachelor's degree in Mining Engineering from Dalhousie University (Technical University of Nova Scotia) and a Masters in Business Administration from Lansbridge University. He is also licensed with the province of Ontario as a professional mining engineer.
Dena Gorrie, Senior Human Resources Manager, is a professional with 35+ years of human resource management experience. She started her career with ITT/Felec Services and was responsible for all aspects of recruitment, compensation, benefits, and training programs for securing manpower for the 21 distant early warning sites which included Cambridge Bay and Hall Beach, NWT. Occupying positions of increasing responsibility, Dena joined the company in March 1995. Focus has been on strategic human resource planning, performance management, staffing, federal and provincial law compliance, employment contract negotiations, employee benefits, compensation and payroll, training and development, and administration. Her formal training included University of Manitoba and Red River Community College.
Gordon Matlock is the Senior Finance Manager of the North American Business Division of the Sinomine Resource Group Company and has over 30 years of project management and finance experience within the natural resource industry. He has been with the Tantalum Mining Corporation of Canada Limited for over five years. Gordon earned a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Saskatchewan and holds a Chartered Accountant designation.
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