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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.
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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
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Secondary Enrichment Zones are Usually Absent in Moly Porphyry
Moly sulfides tend not to leach well
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Ore Zones Tend to Be More Shaped around edge of intrusive
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Ore Zones and Alteration at Henderson (a case example)
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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
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Molybdenite
MoS2 60% MolybdenumS.G. 4.6-4.7Hardness 1-1.5 very soft and easilyScratched
Color – Lead gray and platey
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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
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Uses of Molydbenum
57%23%
9%
11%
Steel
Other Alloys
Chemicals / Ceramics
Metal Powder Carbides
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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
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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