Molybdenum Ores and Minerals(Another Porphyry Deposit Metal)

©2009 Dr. B. C. Paul

Acknowledgement is given to SMEnet.org, Mineral Processing Handbook by SME, Manual of Mineralogy after Dana, Geology.com, Webmineral.com,

USGS for information and pictures used in this presentation.

Moly Porphyrys Have the Classic Bulls-Eye and Zoning

Molybdenum is usually inThe Potassic andPhyllic zones andIs carried heavilyIn quartz veinlets

Molybdenum also occurs in Porphyry Copper deposits – usually a little furtherOut from the center than the best copper

Secondary Enrichment Zones are Usually Absent in Moly Porphyry

Moly sulfides tend not to leach well

Ore Zones Tend to Be More Shaped around edge of intrusive

Ore Zones and Alteration at Henderson (a case example)

Moly Porphyry Grade Tonnage

Moly isFrequently aBy or coproductOf copperPorphyry

Moly PorphyryRun about0.1 to 0.45Moly andAre about50 million to1.5 billion tonsIn size

Molybdenite

MoS2 60% MolybdenumS.G. 4.6-4.7Hardness 1-1.5 very soft and easilyScratched

Color – Lead gray and platey

Processing of Molybdenum

• Rock is ground mine to liberate minerals from each other• Flotation is used to separate Molybdenite

– Often there are many stages since we are often trying to avoid copper minerals as well as gange minerals

– Flotation feed is usually about 0.2 to 0.4% Moly

• The flotation concentrates are then roasted (put in a furnace to oxidize the sulfur and make Moly Oxide

• The Moly Oxide may then be leached with acid to reduce any copper impurities

• Moly is commonly marketed as Moly Oxide– Prices normally are for Moly Oxide but cover only the moly in the

oxide

Uses of Molydbenum

57%23%

9%

11%

Steel

Other Alloys

Chemicals / Ceramics

Metal Powder Carbides

Molybdenum Production and Reserves

0

1000000

2000000

3000000

4000000

5000000

6000000

7000000

8000000

9000000

10000000

Mine Prod X20 Reserves

Met

ric

To

nn

es

Uzbekistane

United States

Russiae

Peru

Mongolia

Mexico

Kyrgyzstane

Kazakhstan

Irane

Chinae

Chile

Canada

Armenia

What is Moly WorthMolybdenum Price/lb in $2009

01020304050607080

19

12

19

17

19

22

19

27

19

32

19

37

19

42

19

47

19

52

19

57

19

62

19

67

19

72

19

77

19

82

19

87

19

92

19

97

20

02

20

07

$2009/lb

Moly runs around $7 or $8 a pound with some significant spikes in times whenIndustrial growth is believed to be outstripping supply