Scientists in China have unearthed an never before seen ore containing a rare earth element sought out for its superconductive. The ore has been dubbed as niobobaotite made out of niobium, barium, titanium, iron, and chloride, according to the South China Morning Post. 

The niobium is causing excitement and the light grey metal is mostly in the production of steel, which strengthens without adding significant weight. Niobium can also be found in particle accelerators in other advanced scientific equipment because it is a superconductor at low temperatures.  

The deposit is found in the Bayan Ubo or deposits in the city of Baotou in inner Mongolia on October 3, 2023. The brownish-black ore is the 17th new type found in the deposit and 150 new minerals found in the region.

Brazil is the world’s largest supplier of earth metal, with Canada in a distant second. According to the U.S Geological Survey, a project to open a niobium mine and processing facility is underway in Southern Nebraska.

The metal might be in higher demand shortly as researchers work on Niobium-Lithium and niobium-graphene batteries. These batteries should help prevent fires because of the Lithuim and the batteries will be able to charge faster and can be more often than traditional Lithuim batteries. This could change how we use batteries.