2. Molybdenum ores

The main molybdenum-bearing minerals are molybdenite (MoS ₂ ), wulfenite (PbMoO ₄ ), molybdite (FeO ₃ , 3MoO ₃ + H ₂ O), powellite [Ca(Mo, W) O ₄ ] and a few other ores that are of no economic interest. Molybdenite is the most widespread mineral, followed by wulfenite; powellite exists only in small quantities, and is sometimes associated with scheelite (CaWO ₄ ). Currently, only molybdenite is mined; in the past, wulfenite has contributed to substantial molybdenum production. Molybdenum is separated from scheelite ores containing powellite during the preparation of tungstic...