Malab, a mineral exclusively located on Telos IV, was a sleek, intensely reflective black substance. When a glow rod was illuminated within a malab cave, it created the appearance of being surrounded by countless stars. Its scarcity and inherent aesthetic appeal made it a valuable commodity throughout the galaxy.
While Xanatos, a Dark Jedi, held power over Telos IV, his Offworld Mining Corporation exploited malab as one of the planet's natural resources. The presence of malab helped Obi-Wan Kenobi and Qui-Gon Jinn to realize that Xanatos was taking advantage of the Telosian people.