Year-by-year annual average price for tantalum in USD/kg, sourced from U.S. Geological Survey, Mineral Commodity Summaries 2025. Tantalum pentoxide (Ta₂O₅), 99.5%; price crashed after 2001 coltan bubble.
Tantalum capacitors are essential components in all modern electronics. The DRC's dominant production position and history of conflict minerals issues create both supply and ethical supply chain risks. Demand is driven primarily by Tantalum capacitors in smartphones and electronics, Medical implants and surgical instruments, Superalloys for jet engine components. Supply is concentrated in Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, Australia, so output disruptions or trade-policy shifts in those countries are the main long-run drivers of Tantalum prices.
Tantalum prices held roughly steady at $152 per USD/kg (2023 average: $152) in 2024.
Tantalum prices fell -1.9% from 2022's $155 per USD/kg to $152 per USD/kg in 2023.
Tantalum prices rose +2.0% from 2021's $152 per USD/kg to $155 per USD/kg in 2022. That was the highest 2022 reading in 10 years.
Tantalum prices rose +7.0% from 2020's $142 per USD/kg to $152 per USD/kg in 2021.
Tantalum prices fell -4.1% from 2019's $148 per USD/kg to $142 per USD/kg in 2020.
Movement summaries above are calculated directly from the annual averages shown in the table. Critical Minerals HQ does not attribute price moves to specific events except where backed by sourced reporting.
| Year | Average Price (USD/kg) | YoY Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $152 | +0.0% |
| 2023 | $152 | -1.9% |
| 2022 | $155 | +2.0% |
| 2021 | $152 | +7.0% |
| 2020 | $142 | -4.1% |
| 2019 | $148 | -2.6% |
| 2018 | $152 | +2.7% |
| 2017 | $148 | +13.8% |
| 2016 | $130 | +0.0% |
| 2015 | $130 | +0.0% |
| 2014 | $130 | +0.0% |
| 2013 | $130 | -13.3% |
| 2012 | $150 | -25.0% |
| 2011 | $200 | +66.7% |
| 2010 | $120 | +0.0% |
| 2009 | $120 | -14.3% |
| 2008 | $140 | +16.7% |
| 2007 | $120 | +20.0% |
| 2006 | $100 | +0.0% |
| 2005 | $100 | +11.1% |
| 2004 | $90 | +12.5% |
| 2003 | $80 | -20.0% |
| 2002 | $100 | -75.0% |
| 2001 | $400 | +100.0% |
| 2000 | $200 | — |
Source: U.S. Geological Survey, Mineral Commodity Summaries 2025. Tantalum pentoxide (Ta₂O₅), 99.5%; price crashed after 2001 coltan bubble
The most recent annual average we track is $152 per USD/kg for 2024. Live spot prices are shown on the Tantalum live-price page.
up +0.0% — from $152 per USD/kg in 2023 to $152 per USD/kg in 2024.
up +2.7% — from $148 per USD/kg in 2019 to $152 per USD/kg in 2024.
up +16.9% — from $130 per USD/kg in 2014 to $152 per USD/kg in 2024.
Tantalum capacitors are essential components in all modern electronics. The DRC's dominant production position and history of conflict minerals issues create both supply and ethical supply chain risks. Demand is driven primarily by Tantalum capacitors in smartphones and electronics, Medical implants and surgical instruments, Superalloys for jet engine components. Supply is concentrated in Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, Australia, so output disruptions or trade-policy shifts in those countries are the main long-run drivers of Tantalum prices.
The highest annual average tantalum price in our recorded series was $400 per USD/kg in 2001.
U.S. Geological Survey, Mineral Commodity Summaries 2025. Tantalum pentoxide (Ta₂O₅), 99.5%; price crashed after 2001 coltan bubble