Types segmentation distinguishes the mineral sources and processing pathways that feed the overall market. The primary division is between primary ores (mined directly from hard‑rock deposits) and secondary ores (recovered from scrap, tailings, or urban mining). Primary tantalum ores, such as columbite‑tantalite, represent roughly 65 % of supply, reflecting the concentration of high‑grade deposits in Central Africa, Brazil, and Australia. Primary niobium ores, principally pyrochlore, account for an additional 20 % of the total, with the majority sourced from Brazil’s Araxá and Canada’s Niobec projects. Secondary streams—re‑processing of electronic waste, catalyst residues, and by‑product recovery—contribute the remaining 15 %, offering a lower‑cost, lower‑environmental‑impact alternative that is increasingly integrated into corporate sustainability strategies. Within each class, further sub‑types (e.g., high‑purity vs. metallurgical grade) dictate downstream pricing and end‑use suitability, thereby shaping the market’s overall value chain.