Molybdenum Production Remains Static

Global molybdenum production remained unchanged in the first quarter of 2019 compared with the same period last year, while global use fell 7%, according to data released July 10 by the International Molybdenum Association (IMOA). Global production was 137.9 million pounds in the first quarter, down 12% from the previous quarter.

China remains the largest producer of molybdenum, with production of 51.5 million pounds. That's up 11% from the same quarter in 2018, but down 13% from the previous quarter. South America is the second largest producer, producing 43.3 million pounds, down 10% from the same period in 2018 and 15% from the previous quarter. North American production increased 1 percent to 33.4 million pounds from a year earlier, although it was down 9% from the previous quarter. Production in other countries held steady at 9.7 million pounds compared with the previous quarter, although it was down 4% from the same period last year.

Global usage fell 7% to 136.6 million pounds from the same period last year, and 1% from the previous quarter. China is still the biggest user at £44.5m, although it was down 18% on the same period last year and down 6% in the previous quarter. Europe was the second largest user at 37.3 million pounds, up 2% from the same period last year and 5% from the previous quarter. Japan used 13.7 million pounds, down 2% from the same period last year but up 1% from the previous quarter. Usage in the United States fell 9% to 13.5 million pounds from the same period last year and was down 10% from the previous quarter. Compared with the same period last year, CIS countries saw the largest increase in usage, with 9% to 5.6 million pounds, up 7% from the previous quarter. Other countries used 21.9 million pounds. That was down 1% from a year earlier, but up 2% from the previous quarter.

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