and or rare earth metals wherein the first reduction stage is carried out as far as an average composition corresponding to o x where x 0 5 to 1 5 and before the second stage the reduction product from the first stage is freed from alkaline earth oxides and or rare earth metal oxides which are formed by washing with mineral acids application_number US 40039999 A description fig1 shows a conical reactor vessel 1 with a motor m driven stirrer 2 feed parts 3 4 for reducing agent and oxide charge components a further inlet not shown is used to supply protective gas the charge is heated to melting stage for the reducing agent and the ta nb oxide is converted to target metal particles which pass through exit tube 5 having an angled outlet section 6 exiting through a channel feed stopper 7 to small trays 8 on a conveyor or belt not shown for transport through chambers 9 11 and beyond passing interlock valves 10 12 to control inert atmosphere and eventual air release for cool down of the newly formed particles according to a preferred embodiment of the process the first reduction stage is carried out continuously in this procedure the melt of the reducing agent is placed in a conical container and the pentoxide and the reducing agent are continuously added to the melt simultaneously or alternately via the above mentioned parts 3 4 due to their higher densities the nbo x formed and.