Molybdenum

Molybdenum (Mo) is a silver-white metal, the element symbol is Mo, the atomic number is 42, the density is 10.2g/cm³, the melting point is 2610°C, and the boiling point is 5560°C.

Reserves of Mo resources.

The average content of Mo in the crust is about 0.00011%. About 20 kinds of Mo ores have been discovered, among which molybdenite has the highest industrial value, followed by tungsten calcium ore, colored molybdenite and platinum-copper ore. According to the data released by the US Geological Survey in 2015, the global Mo resource reserves are about 11 million tons, and the proven reserves are about 19.4 million tons.

Country distribution of molybdenum resources

According to data released by the US Geological Survey in 2015, China is the country with the most abundant Mo resources in the world, with reserves of 4.3 million tons, followed by the United States (2.7 million tons) and Chile (1.8 million tons). The Mo resource reserves of these three countries account for about 80% of the world's total reserves.

Countries with rich Mo resources include Peru (450,000 tons), Canada (260,000 tons), Russia (250,000 tons), Australia (200,000 tons), Mongolia (160,000 tons), Armenia (150,000 tons), Mexico (130,000 tons), Kazakhstan (130,000 tons), Kyrgyzstan (100,000 tons), Turkey (100,000 tons), Uzbekistan (60,000 tons) and Iran (50,000 tons).

Global Mo production

According to data released by the US Geological Survey in 2015, the global Mo mine production in 2014 was 266,000 tons, an increase of 3% from 258,000 tons in 2013. China is the largest producer of Mo ore. In 2014, Mo production was 100,000 tons, accounting for about 38% of the global total. In 2014, the United States ranked second with 65,500 tons of Mo production, followed by Chile (39,000 tons) and Peru (18,100 tons), which ranked third and fourth, respectively.

In addition, other major Mo ore producing countries in the world include Mexico (11,000 tons), Canada (950,000 tons), Armenia (670,000 tons), Iran (630,000 tons), Russia (480,000 tons), Turkey (280,000 tons) 10,000 tons)), Mongolia (20,000 tons) and Uzbekistan (0.55 million tons).

Application of Mo

The application of Mo in the steel industry ranks first, accounting for about 80% of the total consumption of Mo, followed by the chemical industry, accounting for about 10%. In addition, Mo is also used in electrical and electronic technology, medicine and agriculture, accounting for about 10% of total consumption.

Reuse of Mo

With the continuous development of the Mo industry, the consumption of raw materials is increasing, and the resources that can be developed are becoming less and less.

In order to protect the environment and improve the utilization rate of Mo resources, developed countries have begun to pay attention to the value of Mo-containing waste catalysts since the mid-1980s. For example, in 1995 the United States recovered 3,800 tons of Mo from spent catalysts, accounting for about 30% of the total supply.

Effects of Molybdenum on Human Health

Mo is one of the essential trace elements for the human body and has a great impact on human health. The main effects of Mo on health are: 1) Mo is an indispensable trace element in the formation of uric acid. 2) Mo is an important part of various enzymes, it is involved in the utilization of iron in the body, can prevent anemia, promote development, and help the metabolism of carbohydrates and fats.

3) Mo can maintain myocardial energy metabolism and prevent Keshan disease. 4) Mo can maintain the elasticity of arteries and prevent cardiovascular diseases. 5) Mo element can maintain the immune function of the human body. 6) Mo can regulate the thyroid. 7) Mo can prevent dental caries, kidney stones, cancer, etc. 8) Mo is an important part of the iris of the eye.