1. 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.

2. Moly Porphyrys Have the Classic Bulls-Eye and Zoning
Molybdenum is usually in
The Potassic and
Phyllic zones and
Is carried heavily
In quartz veinlets
Molybdenum also occurs in Porphyry Copper deposits – usually a little further
Out from the center than the best copper

3. Secondary Enrichment Zones are Usually Absent in Moly Porphyry
Moly sulfides tend not to leach well

4. Ore Zones Tend to Be More Shaped around edge of intrusive

5. Ore Zones and Alteration at Henderson (a case example)

6. Moly Porphyry Grade Tonnage
Moly is
Frequently a
By or coproduct
Of copper
Porphyry
Moly Porphyry
Run about
0.1 to 0.45
Moly and
Are about
50 million to
1.5 billion tons
In size

7. Molybdenite MoS2 60% Molybdenum S.G. 4.6-4.7
Hardness very soft and easily
Scratched
Color – Lead gray and platey

8. 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

10. Molybdenum Production and Reserves

11. What is Moly Worth
Moly runs around $7 or $8 a pound with some significant spikes in times when
Industrial growth is believed to be outstripping supply