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This table presents detailed data on global molybdenum mine production by country or locality, measured in metric tons of molybdenum content from 2019 through 2023. This information is crucial for understanding the supply dynamics of molybdenum, a metal widely used in steel alloys, electronics, and chemical applications due to its high strength and resistance to corrosion. Tracking production trends helps industries and policymakers anticipate market shifts, manage resource dependencies, and plan for economic impacts related to this critical mineral.
Analysis of the data reveals that China remains the world’s largest producer, although its output has gradually declined from an estimated 116,000 metric tons in 2019 to about 96,400 metric tons in 2023. Chile and the United States follow as significant producers, with Chile’s production decreasing from 54,759 metric tons in 2019 to 44,118 metric tons in 2023, and U.S. production falling from 43,600 metric tons to 34,000 metric tons over the same period. Notably, Kazakhstan has shown remarkable growth, increasing production from 209 metric tons in 2019 to 3,727 metric tons in 2023, indicating emerging capacity. Mexico and Peru have maintained relatively stable outputs, with Mexico producing 17,497 metric tons and Peru 33,476 metric tons in 2023. Overall, global production has declined from a revised total of 281,000 metric tons in 2019 to an estimated 248,000 metric tons in 2023, reflecting shifts in mining activity and possibly market demand or operational challenges.
| TABLE 10 | ||||||||||||
| MOLYBDENUM: WORLD MINE PRODUCTION, BY COUNTRY OR LOCALITY1 | ||||||||||||
| (Metric tons, molybdenum content) | ||||||||||||
| Country or locality2 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | |||||||
| Armenia | 5051 | 8696 | 7762 | 7818 | r | 7600 | e | |||||
| Australia | -- | -- | -- | 277 | 660 | |||||||
| Canada | 3896 | 2525 | 1385 | 952 | 1145 | |||||||
| Chile | 54759 | 59381 | 49427 | 45627 | 44118 | |||||||
| China | 116000 | 107000 | e | 106000 | e | 106000 | e | 96400 | e | |||
| Iran | 2073 | r | 2389 | r | 2022 | r | 2401 | r | 2500 | e | ||
| Kazakhstan | 209 | 384 | 777 | 2005 | 3727 | |||||||
| Korea, Northe | 600 | 100 | -- | 700 | 400 | |||||||
| Korea, Republic of | 266 | 411 | 408 | 367 | 339 | |||||||
| Mexico | 16890 | 18562 | 16319 | 15496 | 17497 | |||||||
| Mongolia | 3203 | r | 3443 | r | 3543 | r | 3312 | r | 3161 | |||
| Peru | 30441 | 32185 | 34148 | 31588 | 33476 | |||||||
| Russia, concentrate | 1989 | 1707 | 1691 | r | 1700 | e | 1700 | e | ||||
| Turkey | 400 | e | -- | -- | -- | -- | ||||||
| United States | 43600 | 51100 | 41100 | 34600 | 34000 | |||||||
| Uzbekistan | 1502 | 1670 | 1669 | r | 1846 | r | 1700 | e | ||||
| Total | 281000 | r | 290000 | r | 266000 | 255000 | r | 248000 | ||||
eEstimated. rRevised. -- Zero.
1Table includes data available through August 27, 2024. All data are reported unless otherwise noted; totals may include estimated data. Totals, U.S. data, and estimated data are rounded to no more than three significant digits; may not add to totals shown.
2In addition to the countries and (or) localities listed, Bulgaria and Kyrgyzstan may have produced molybdenum, but available information was inadequate to make reliable estimates of output.
Source: United States Geological Survey Mineral Resources Program
See also: Molybdenum statistics | Mineral commodity prices