Mining

Molybdenum has been found in various minerals. Only molybdenite (MoS₂) is suitable for the industrial production of marketable molybdenum products.

The Mo content of viable ore bodies ranges between 0.01 and 0.25%, often associated with the sulphide minerals of other metals, notably copper.

Ore bodies and mines are classified in three types:

• Primary mines, where the recovery of molybdenite is the sole objective;
• By-product mines, which separate molybdenite during copper recovery;
• Co-product mines, where commercial viability is dependent upon the extraction of both molybdenite and copper-bearing minerals.

Mining techniques used are:

• Open cast pits; or
• Underground block caving, wherein large blocks of ore are undercut and allowed to collapse under their own weight.