3.14.3.1 Availability and Consumption

The domestic demand for molybdenum up to 4,000~5,000 tons (metal) has been stable for a long time, corresponding to the level of about 10,000 tons of concentrate.   

Judging from the present production capacity, China is more than self-sufficient in molybdenum, and the volume of its export constitutes a large proportion.   

In 1997, China exported 2,653.1 tons of molybdenum concentrates, 2,166 tons of ferro-molybdenum and 21,290.8 tons of molybdenum oxide and hydroxide, and ammonium molybdate in 1997, and imported 6,340.6 tons of molybdenum ores and concentrates in the same year.    

A great variation usually takes place in both China's import and export of molybdenum-related commodities under the influence of the international market.   

Table 3.14.4 shows the import and export of molybdenum-related products of China in recent years.

Table 3.14.4 China's import and export of molybdenum-related products (t)

3.14.3.2 Trends   

China is abundant in molybdenum resources, with a number of large and medium-sized deposits, many of which are easy to mine and to dress. A certain scale of the molybdenum industry base has been taken shape as a result of over many years development. In terms of present resources and production capacity of molybdenum mines of China, it seems to be unquestionable to meet a long-term domestic demand for molybdenum and to sustain a certain export volume of molybdenum.