US molybdenum production increases by 5%

US molybdenum concentrate production rose to 10 400 t in the first quarter, up from 9920 t a year earlier, according to the US Geological Survey.

Shipments of molybdenum concentrate increased by 6% to 10 500 t over the same period.

Total US consumption of molybdenum products was up by 2% to 39 800 t in the first quarter, rising from 3910 t from the prior year. Consumption of molybdenum oxide edged up to 1914 t from 1880 t, while ferro-molybdenum demand increased by 7% to 821 t.

Stocks of molybdenum products grew to 1750 t on 31 March, from 1710 t from a year prior.

The US imported 14% more for a total of 16 400 t by gross weight of molybdenum products in the first quarter. Greater ferro-molybdenum imports were largely responsible for the rise. Imports of the alloy over doubled to 3130 t by gross weight.

The US exported 9440 t of molybdenum ores and concentrates by content in the quarter, down from 10 000 t a year earlier, on lower volumes sent to the Netherlands and Belgium.

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