Molybdenum Price

 

The occurrence of molybdenum (Mo) in the crust of the earth is about 1.5 parts per million (ppm), making it the 54th most abundant chemical element on planet earth.

 

Quick Overview of Molybdenum

✔️A brief overview of molybdenum (Mo)
✔️The discovery and production of molybdenum
✔️How to invest in or trade with molybdenum
Price factors that determine the price of molybdenum
Applications and uses of molybdenum

 

A brief overview of molybdenum (Mo)

Molybdenum is not found in isolation in nature but primarily occurs in molybdenite (molybdenum disulfide), a soft blue-grey mineral, similar in appearance to graphite.

It is also found in molybdates such as:

• Wulfenite (lead molybdate), is the second most common ore of molybdenum.
• Powellite is a rare calcium molybdate mineral.

On the periodic table of elements, molybdenum is classified as a transition metal and can be found in group 6, together with three other transition metals, namely chromium (Cr), tungsten (W), and seaborgium (Sg).

What is a transition metal?

Simply put, transition metals, also referred to as transition elements, serve as a link, a transition, between the main group elements in group 1 and group 2 (the active elements) on the left of the periodic table, and those in groups 13 to 18 (the metals, semimetals, and nonmetals) on the right of the table.

There are 34 transition metals in groups 3 to 12 on the periodic table.

Transition metals are, inter alia, malleable and hard. They are good conductors of heat and electricity and have high densities, as well as high melting and boiling points.

The name molybdenum originates from the Greek word molybdos. The reason for this particular name is that in ancient times several minerals were collectively called ‘molybdos,’ meaning lead-like in Greek. Molybdenite, the mineral containing the most molybdenum, was one of this group of minerals, along with graphite, lead, and galena, to name a few.

Molybdenum is commonly referred to by its nickname, ‘moly.’

Characteristics of molybdenum

• It is a refractory metal, meaning it is significantly resistant to heat and eroding.
• Highly resistant to corrosion in its pure form.
• Colour is silvery-white or silvery grey.
• Solid at room temperature (approximately 20° Celsius).
• It is a metal that is hard, ductile, and malleable.
• An excellent conductor of electricity.

 

Properties of molybdenum

• The atomic symbol on the periodic table: Mo
• Atomic number: 42, which is the number of protons in the element’s nucleus
• Melting point: 2 623 degrees Celsius (4 753 degrees Fahrenheit), making it the element with the third-highest melting point, after tantalum (Ta) – 3 017 degrees Celsius (5 463 degrees Fahrenheit) – and tungsten – 3 422 degrees Celsius (6 192 degrees Fahrenheit)
• Boiling point: 4 639 degrees Celsius (8 382 degrees Fahrenheit)
• Density: 10.2 grams (g) per cubic metre (cm³)

 

Molybdenum in the human body

Please note: The content about molybdenum’s role in the human body is solely informative and does not intend to provide any health or medical advice.

Similar to iron and magnesium, molybdenum is an essential mineral in the human body. Although in trace amounts.

Sources of the mineral include milk, cheese, leafy vegetables, beans, lentils, peas, cereal grains, and organ meats, which are the consumable organs of animals such as the liver and kidney.

Molybdenum is essential for a person’s health for reasons such as:

• It acts as a catalyst for enzymes.
• It helps in the breakdown of fats and carbohydrates.
• Molybdenum prevents the build-up of sulfites and toxins in the human body.

Molybdenum deficiency in humans is rare because the human body only requires trace amounts of the mineral, which is abundant in a variety of foods.

 

The discovery and production of molybdenum

Discovery of molybdenum

Until 1778, molybdenite (molybdenum sulfide), a soft black mineral, was considered to be a lead ore or graphite.

1778 was not only the year in which France declared war on Britain in support of the American colonies, it was also the year in which the Swedish-German chemist, Carl Wilhelm Scheele (1742 – 1786), disclosed that molybdenite was neither lead nor graphite, concluding that it was an unknown new element.

Unfortunately, Scheele was not able to identify the new element. Meanwhile, other chemists were also convinced that molybdenite contains a new element but was unsuccessful to prove it because it could not be reduced to metal. The best some researchers could do was to convert the molybdenite to oxide and to create molybdic acid after adding some water.

Eventually, in 1781, Scheele sent Peter Jacob Hjelm (1746 -1813), a Swedish chemist and mineralogist, a sample of molybdic acid, suggesting that his friend must try to isolate the unknown metal. Hjelm then grounded the molybdic acid with carbon in linseed oil to create a paste, which he heated in a closed crucible to isolate the unknown metal, calling it molybdenum.

The discovery of the element was announced in the autumn of 1781.

Carl Scheele was a brilliant chemist who made numerous chemical discoveries such as oxygen (which he named ‘fire air’), chlorine gas, hydrogen fluoride, and manganese. A list of his discoveries include, inter alia, 4 gases, 6 inorganic acids, and 8 organic acids.

Certainly, a discoverer to be remembered and honoured. Alas, not so. Due to various reasons, his discoveries were attributed to some other scientists. Hence, he was later referred to as ‘hard-luck Scheele,’ or ‘the forgotten chemist.’

 

Global production of molybdenum

The global production of molybdenum in 2025 was approximately 300 000 metric tonnes (MT), which is about the same as the 2025-figure.

China is by far the top molybdenum producer in the world, producing 120 000 MT in 2025, according to data from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS).

China is followed by Chile (58 000 MT), the USA (49 000 MT), Peru (30 000 MT), and Mexico (17 000 MT). Other countries producing more than 2 500 metric tonnes of molybdenum during 2025 were Armenia (7 000 MT), Iran (3 500 MT), Russia (2 800 MT), and Canada (2 700 MT).

Global resources of molybdenum

China is also the country with the largest molybdenum resources, followed by the USA and Chile. These three countries possess more than 90 percent of the world’s molybdenum resources.

Molybdenum production

Two methods are used to produce molybdenum, namely mining, and recycling.

• Mining

More than 70 percent of the world’s supply of molybdenum is obtained from mining, which can be categorised into three types of mines:

• Primary mines where the mining of molybdenite (the primary source of molybdenum) is the sole objective.
• By-product mines where the main objective is the recovery of copper-bearing ore. However, the recovery of molybdenum is considered an additional source of income. Approximately two-thirds of the global supply of molybdenum is obtained as a by-product of copper mining.
• Co-product mines where the mining of copper and molybdenite is executed simultaneously in order to enhance the commercial viability of the mine.

The processing of the recovered molybdenum is quite simple. According to Geology for Investors, ‘the ore is crushed in a mill, ground into a powder, mixed with reagent, aerated, and then put into a flotation cell where gangue [the worthless rock in which the molybdenum occurs] is separated from the Molybdenum, and a concentrate is produced.’

‘The concentrate can either be processed into “tech oxide” or into pure Molybdenum powder.’

• Recycling

Molybdenum is fully recyclable. The main sources of recycled molybdenum are steel scrap and superalloy scrap.

Almost 30% of all the molybdenum globally used is recycled.

 

How to invest in or trade with molybdenum

If you are interested to invest in or trade with molybdenum, you need to take measures such as:

• An investment strategy and plan.
• Diversification of your investment portfolio.
• Risk assessment, meaning the level of your willingness and ability to take investment risks.
• Research the molybdenum market and determine the financial instruments to invest in the metal.
• Draw a budget, keeping in mind the golden investment rule: Never invest more money than you can unworriedly afford to lose.
• Find a commodity broker

Make sure it is a regulated, professional, and trustworthy broker or brokerage. An experienced commodity broker will provide you with a trading/investment platform and give advice regarding the financial instruments available to invest in molybdenum as a commodity.

 

Examples of financial instruments available for molybdenum trading:

• Molybdenum contracts for difference (CFDs)

A CFD is a derivative instrument that enables traders to speculate on the price of molybdenum without owning the metal. The value of a molybdenum CFD is the difference between the metal’s purchase price and its spot price, which is the current price in the market.

• Molybdenum exchange-traded funds (ETFs)

Simply put, ETFs allow investors to invest in commodities without having to physically own the commodities.

ETFs are financial instruments that trade as shares on stock exchanges similar to the trading of the shares of a company.

ETFs exclusively focussing on molybdenum do not exist. However, there are ETFs that invest in companies that invest in rare metals, including molybdenum.

• Shares of companies involved in molybdenum production

Information about companies involved in the primary mining of molybdenum, or the mining of the metal as a by-product of copper mining can be obtained from a commodity broker.

 

 

Price factors that determine the price of molybdenum

Similar to other metals, the price of molybdenum is determined by supply and demand.

Factors that can influence the price of molybdenum are, amongst others:

• Infrastructure and industrial sector demand

China is not only the world’s largest producer of molybdenum but also the major consumer of metal, using more than 30 percent of the global production of molybdenum. The industrial sector of China requires large quantities of molybdenum to manufacture steel.

In the United States, the government is busy with large-scale infrastructure products, replacing old and dilapidated bridges, improving airports, and upgrading railway systems. All these projects require strong steel alloys with molybdenum as a major component.

Although, a global recession could put China’s infrastructure expansions on hold, as well as those of the USA. Furthermore, global turmoil like the Russian war in Ukraine can cause the demand for molybdenum to decrease, affecting the price of the metal negatively.

 

• Energy costs

Producing molybdenum is expensive because it requires large amounts of energy sources such as coal and crude oil. The costs of these sources can have a major effect on the production and price of molybdenum. For instance, the price of crude oil has increased dramatically since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

 

• Key role of molybdenum

The important role that molybdenum plays in the aircraft industry and other industries ensures that the demand for the commodity will remain high.

According to Trading Economics, molybdenum is expected to trade at $48.04 per kilogram at the end of the second quarter of 2025. The estimation is that the metal will trade at $53.67 in 12 months’ time.

 

Applications and uses of molybdenum

The main commercial use of molybdenum is in the manufacturing of alloys, including alloy in steels, cast iron, nickel-base alloys, and superalloys, which can be used at temperatures of up to 1 100 degrees Celsius. As a key metal in alloys, molybdenum increases toughness, hardness, strength, resistance to wear and corrosion, and electrical conductivity.

Its high melting point (2 623° Celsius/4 753° Fahrenheit) enables the metal to perform incredibly well under extremely high temperatures. It is specifically useful in goods and inventions that have to stay lubricated under extreme temperatures.

Molybdenum alloys are used in aircraft and missile and rocket engine components, structural work, and forged vehicle parts. For instance, up to 10 percent molybdenum is used in tools steels. It is also used in stainless steel, and armour plates. The metal can be added to cast iron to improve its strength and to iron-, cobalt- and nickel-based alloys developed for extreme heat- and corrosion-resistant applications.

Furthermore, molybdenum is used in a variety of products such as drills, filaments for electric heaters, ink for circuit boards, and protective coatings in boilers, to name a few more applications.

High-temperature lubricants are manufactured from certain molybdenum compounds.

It is also applied as a catalyst in the petroleum industry and metal plays a key role in the construction of nuclear power plants.

As a supplement, molybdenum can be used to prevent tooth decay, help the human body to detoxify itself of sulfites, and to treat rare inherited metabolic diseases, such as Wilson’s disease, where the body is unable to process copper.

 

Note: This article does not constitute investment, financial, or trading advice. Please obtain the advice of a professional and regulated commodity broker before making trading and investment decisions.