Indian Minerals Yearbook 2014

MOLYBDENUM Indian Minerals Yearbook 2014 (Part- II : Metals & Alloys) 53rd Edition MOLYBDENUM (ADVANCE RELEASE) GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF MINE...
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MOLYBDENUM

Indian Minerals Yearbook 2014 (Part- II : Metals & Alloys) 53rd Edition MOLYBDENUM (ADVANCE RELEASE)

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF MINES INDIAN BUREAU OF MINES Indira Bhavan, Civil Lines, NAGPUR – 440 001 PHONE/FAX NO. (0712) 2565471 PBX : (0712) 2562649, 2560544, 2560648

E-MAIL : [email protected] Website: www.ibm.gov.in

November, 2015 11-1

MOLYBDENUM

11 Molybdenum

M

olybdenum (Mo) is a refractory metal used principally as an alloying agent in steel, cast iron & superalloys to enhance strength and wear and corrosion resistance. It does not occur in nature in free state. Usually, it is found in chemically combined form with other elements. Molybdenite (MoS2) is the principal ore of molybdenum. About two-thirds of global molybdenum production is as by-product of copper mining and only about one-third is obtained from primary molybdenum mines. In India, by-product concentrates of molybdenum are produced intermittently from uranium ore of Jaduguda mine belonging to Uranium Corporation of India Ltd (UCIL) in Jharkhand. The internal demand for molybdenum and its products is met mostly through imports.

different proportions for imparting desired properties, such as increased strength, hardness and resistance to corrosion, temperature and chipping. It also finds application in permanent magnet alloys. As a refractory metal, it is used in many electrical and electronic components and as resistance element in electric furnaces and other equipment which are operated at extremely high temperatures. Its non-metallurgical uses are in lubricants, catalysts, pigments, as an additive in oil and greases, in aerosol sprays, in reducing surface friction and as an antiwear and antifriction agent in plastics. Molybdenum plays a vital role in the energy industry and it may become an increasingly essential factor in green technology.

SUBSTITUTES

RESOURCES India continues to lack in several critical minerals and one of them is molybdenum. In India, molybdenum is associated generally with copper, lead and zinc ores. Rakha copper deposit in Jharkhand contains 45 to 48 ppm molybdenum. Malanjkhand copper deposit in Madhya Pradesh contains 0.04% recoverable molybdenum. Dariba-Rajpura lead-zinc deposit in Rajasthan contains molybdenum besides bismuth, arsenic and cadmium. The multimetal deposit at Umpyrtha in Khasi and Jaintia Hills, Meghalaya, reportedly contains molybdenum in association with copper, lead and tungsten. Molybdenum deposit in Karadikuttam in Madurai district, Tamil Nadu, contains 0.02 to 0.14% recoverable molybdenum. As per the UNFC System, the resources of molybdenum ore in the country as on 1.4.2010 are estimated at about 19.29 million tonnes containing about 12,640 tonnes MoS2. The above resources are located in Tamil Nadu (9.97 million tonnes), Madhya Pradesh (8 million tonnes) and Karnataka (1.32 million tonnes) (Table-1).

EXPLORATION & DEVELOPMENT GSI carried out exploration activities in Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu which is furnished in Table - 2.

USES Molybdenum is a versatile alloying agent for alloy steel, cast iron, nickel, cobalt and titanium alloys. For desired metallurgical properties, it is used in the form of molybdic oxide or ferro-molybdenum. It is used in

There is little substitution for molybdenum in its major application, viz, as an alloying element in steel and cast irons. Owing to the availability and versatility of molybdenum, industry has sought to develop new materials that benefit from the alloying properties of the metal. Potential substitutes for molybdenum include chromium, vanadium, niobium (columbium) and boron in alloy steels; tungsten in tool steels; tungsten and tantalum for refractory materials in high temperature electric furnaces and chrome-orange, cadmium-red and organic-orange pigments for molybdenum orange.

MINING Molybdenum concentrate is produced intermittently incidental to uranium mining at Jaduguda mine of UCIL.

INDUSTRY AND CONSUMPTION Usually, molybdenum is used in the form of roasted concentrates, oxide or ferro-molybdenum in the defence industries. HCL has installed a pilot plant for producing molybdenum concentrate from copper ore containing 0.3% Mo at Rakha mine, East Singhbhum district, Jharkhand. However, molybdenum recovery at Rakha is not found economical. Molybdenum is used chiefly in the form of ferro-molybdenum. The production of ferromolybdenum increased from 1,076 tonnes in 2012-13 to 1,231 tonnes in 2013-14. The consumption of ferromolybdenum in 2013-14 was 663 tonnes and 666 tonnes in 2012-13. Alloy steel industry alone accounted for

11-2

-

Contained MoS2

11-3

-

Contained MoS 2

-

Contained MoS 2

-

Contained MoS 2

Figures rounded off.

-

Ore

Tamil Nadu

-

Ore

Madhya Pradesh

-

Ore

Karnataka

B y St a t e s

-

To t a l (A)

Ore

All India : Total

Grade/State

Reserves

1050

1500000

-

-

-

-

1050

1500000

Pre-feasibility STD221

83

36000

-

-

-

-

83

36000

Measured STD331

287

569304

-

-

-

-

287

569304

Indicated STD332

4431

7692728

5020

8000000

1719

1320900

111 7 0

17013628

Inferred STD333

Remaining resources

50

167800

-

-

-

-

50

167800

Reconnaissance STD334

Table – 1 : Reserves/Resources of Molybdenum as on 1.4.2010 (By Grades/States)

5901

9965832

5020

8000000

1719

1320900

12640

19286732

To t a l (B)

5901

9965832

5020

8000000

1719

1320900

12640

19286732

To t a l resources (A+B)

(In tonnes)

MOLYBDENUM

MOLYBDENUM

Table – 2 : Details of Exploration Activities for Molybdenum, 2013-14 Agency/ State/ District

Location Area/ Block

GSI Maharashtra

Nagpur Sakoli fold belt Khobna

Tamil Nadu Dharamapuri

Mapping Scale

Drilling

Area No. of (sq km) boreholes

1:12,500

55

1:5000

30

-

Velampatti South Block

Meterage

430.40

Sampling (No.)

120

Remarks Reserves/Resources estimated Reconnaissance stage (G4) investigation carried out to identify zones of molybdenum and associated mineralisation and evaluation of its potentiality.The rock types in this area are granitic gneiss, chlorite mica schist, mica schist, pegmatites, milky white and smoky quartz veins and laterite. The general trend of the foliation is NNE-SSW. The molybdenum mineralisation occurs near the contact of foliated granite whereas the tungsten mineralisation occucrs well within the greisen zone and at its contact with the chlorite mica schist. Specks of molybdenite present in greisens are observed in the dump material excavated from shafts.

Prospecting (G-3) stage investigation was carried out reassess the Molybdenite resources. The HUB is divided into a southern Harur sector and a northern Uttangarai sector on either side of the easterly flowing river Ponnaiyar. Three sub-parallel mineralized shear zones are established in the HUB. The main shear zone extends from Velampatti in the south to Nochchipatti in the north. The other two subparallel shear zones occur west of the main shear zone. The sub surface probing by drilling in 6 boreholes (each up to 150 m depth) indicated a number of both high and low grademineralized zones. In view of absence of lodes towards deeper levels the investigation was closed. The investigation has been completed.

11-4

MOLYBDENUM

about 66% consumption followed by iron & steel (24%) and foundry (8%). The data on production and consumption of ferro-molybdenum are given in Tables - 3 and 4, respectively. Non-ferrous Technology Development Centre at the Defence Metallurgical Research Laboratory, Hyderabad has a pilot plant for producing molybdenum powder. Institute of Minerals and Materials Technology (formerly RRL), Bhubaneswar, is carrying out basic research on recovery of molybdenum from spent catalysts.

WORLD REVIEW The world reserves of molybdenum are 11 million tonnes, located mainly in China (39%), USA (25%), Chile (16%), Peru (4%), besides Russia, Armenia, Canada and Mexico (Table-5). The world production of molybdenum in terms of metal increased to 2.70 lakh tonnes in 2013 from 2.56 lakh tonnes in the previous year. China (41%), USA (23%) and Chile (14%) together accounted for about 78% of world production (Table-6). Table – 5 : World Reserves of Molybdenum (By Principal Countries)

Table – 3 : Production of Ferro-molybdenum 2009-10 to 2013-14

(In '000 tonnes of molybdenum content)

(In tonnes) Ye a r

Production

2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 2013-14

2822 3090 4362 1076 1231

Source: Monthly Statistics of Mineral Production March 2014.

Table – 4 : Reported Consumption of Ferro-molybdenum, 2011-12 to 2013-14(P) (By Industries) (In tonnes) Industry

2011-12

All Industries Alloy steel Electrode Foundry Iron & steel

678 435 (8) 3 1 (2) 5 0 (8) 162 ( 1 4 )

2012-13 666 435 (8) 22 (2) 50 (8) 159 (10)

2013-14(P) 663 435 (8) 20 (2) 50 (8) 158 (10)

Country

Reserves

World: Total (rounded) Armenia Australia Canada Chile China Iran Kazakhstan Kyrgyzstan Mexico Mongolia Peru Russia (e) Turkey USA U z b e k i s t a n (e)

11 0 0 0 150 200 260 1800 4300 50 130 100 130 160 450 250 100 2700 60

Source: Mineral Commodity Summaries, 2015.

Table – 6 : World Mine Production of Molybdenum (By Principal Countries)

Figures in parentheses denote the number of units in organised sector. (* Includes actual reported consumption and for estimates made wherever required).

TRADE POLICY As per Foreign Trade Policy, 2009-2014, imports of molybdenum ores & concentrates under heading No. 2613 and molybdenum and articles thereof under heading No. 8102 are allowed freely, except molybdenum waste & scrap (under ITC-HS Code No. 8102 9700) which are restricted.

(In Country World: Total Armenia Canada Chile China Iran Mexico Peru Russia USA Other countries

tonnes of metal content)

2011

2012

2013

263000 4822 8674 40698 103320 3365 10787 19141 4842 63700 3651

256000 5446 8954 35090 104000 3512 11366 16790 4838 60400 5604

270000 5934 9000 38715 e 110000 e 3500 12562 18140 e 4800 e 61000 6349

Source: World Mineral Production, 2009-2013.

11-5

MOLYBDENUM

In North America, most Canadian molybdenum reserves are porphyry molybdenum and porphyry copper-molybdenum deposits in British Columbia. The La Caridad deposit in Mexico was a leading producer.

China Yichun Luming Molybdenum Mining Co. Ltd (a subsidiary of China Railway Resources Group) announced commercial production at its Luming molybdenum mine in Heilongjiang Province was expected to begin in July, 2014. The mine had a capacity to produce 30,000 t/yr of molybdenum concentrate.

Canada TCMC announced that its Endako Mine produced 4,110 tonnes of molybdenum in 2013 compared to 2,810 tonnes in 2012. The Endako operation was an open pit molybdenum mine, concentrator and roaster, 190 km west of Prince George, British Columbia with an estimated mine life of 16 years.

of Molybednum in 2013 as against 10,968 tonnes in 2012. The company also announced that the new molybdenum processing plant at Group Mexico's Buenavista del Cobre Mine in Cananea, "Sonora produced 360 tonne of molybdenum in 2013. Province was expected to begin in July 2014. The mine had a capacity to process 30,000t/yr of molybdenum concentrate.

Peru Cerro Verde Mine continued construction of its large scale expansion project which would expand its concentrator facilities from 120,000 to 360,000 tonnes per day of ore and would have the capacity to produce 6800 tonnes per year molybdenum beginning in 2016.

FOREIGN TRADE Exports

Taseko Mines Ltd produced 680 tonnes of molybdenum in 2013 compared to 598 tonnes produced in 2012 from its Gibraltar mine. The new molybdenum separation facility commissioned in mid 2013 was still in ramp up but significant strides were made in 4 th quarter.

Exports of molybdenum ores & concentrates increased drastically to 351 tonnes in 2013-14 from 107 tonnes in the previous year. In 2013-14, exports were mainly to China (58%) and Mexico ( 34%). Exports of molybdenum and scrap also increased drastically to 77 tonnes in 2013-14 from 10 tonnes in 2012-13. Exports were

Chile

mainly to UK ( 68%) & Netherlands (13%) (Tables - 7 and 8 ).

Corporacion Nacioal del Cobre de Chile (codelco) the state controlled molybdenum & copper producer announced that it produced 23,000 tonnes of molybdenum in 2013 compared to 20,000 tonnes in 2012. Antofagasta plc announced that, in 2013, molybdenum production at its Los Pelambres Mine was 9,000 tonnes a 26% decrease compared to 12,200 tonnes in 2012.

Mexico Group Mexico S.A.B. de C.V. reported that its La Caridad Mine produced a record 11,740 tonnes

Imports Imports of molybdenum ores & concentrate decreased marginally to 5,572 tonnes in 2013-14 from 6,863 tonnes in the previous year. Imports were mainly from Chile, USA and Thailand & Mexico. Imports of molybdenum and scrap also decreased to 339 tonnes in 2013-14 from 487 tonnes in the previous year. China and Austria were the main suppliers (Tables-9 & 10).

11-6

MOLYBDENUM

Table – 7 : Exports of Molybdenum Ore & Conc. (By Countries) 2012-13

2013-14

Country Qty (t) All Countries

Value (L '000)

Qty (t)

Value (L '000)

107

1026

351

324538

Mexico

-

-

120

193944

China

-

-

203

112275

Netherlands

-

-

28

18184

Kuwait

28

144

++

135

Other countries

79

882

-

-

Table – 8 : Exports of Molybdenum & Scrap (By Countries) 2012-13

2013-14

Country Qty (t)

Value (L '000)

Qty (t)

10

11 0 8 1 9

77

161373

++

5630

1

24917

1

21619

++

20992

++

205

52

19109

Germany

1

8198

1

17524

Austria

1

11581

2

15812

++

1466

1

13429

2

10223

1

11218

++

5724

1

10467

Netherlands

-

-

10

3420

Egypt

1

5527

++

3214

Other countries

4

40646

8

21271

All Countries Belgium Japan UK

Singapore Poland USA

11-7

Value (L '000)

MOLYBDENUM

Table – 9 : Imports of Molybdenum Ore and Conc. (By Countries) 2012-13

2013-14

Country

All Countries

Qty (t)

Value (L '000)

Qty (t)

Value (L '000)

6863

7522327

5572

5558080

USA

1981

2002775

1747

1751217

Chile

2736

3001011

1180

1125369

Mexico

495

589074

1098

1100214

Thailand

706

876259

296

389058

Korea Rep, of

148

192469

244

293838

China

127

149761

225

251582

Belgium

119

161734

121

104118

Canada

240

215958

110

92281

-

-

100

88238

52

73129

113

77411

259

260157

338

284754

UAE South Africa Other countries

Table –10 : Imports of Molybdenum & Scrap (By Countries) 2012-13

2013-14

Country Qty (t)

Value (L '000)

Qty (t)

Value (L '000)

All Countries

487

1285590

339

111 9 6 5 8

China

364

832090

208

562681

Austria

62

231487

73

347177

USA

24

81203

25

95542

Germany

27

104715

14

53095

UAE

++

518

7

12823

Hong Kong

++

490

2

11371

Vietnam, Soc.Rep

-

-

4

7626

UK

3

11025

2

5977

Hungary

1

3766

1

5500

Australia

3

10370

1

4825

Other countries

3

9926

2

13041

FUTURE OUTLOOK The principal use of molybdenum to be in chemical and catalyst and as an additive in steel manufacturing, most importantly alloy and stainless steel are expected to continue. Molybdenum plays a vital role in the energy industry and it may become increasingly important factor in environment protection

technology, where it is used in high strength steels for automobiles to reduce weight and improve fuel economy and safety. Molybdenumbased catalysts have a number of important applications in petroleum and plastic industries. In India, it is expected that demand for molybdenum will be increasing and this internal demand for molybdenum will continue to be met through imports.

11-8