Ore processing
Extractive metallurgy of molybdenum

The processing of molybdenum ores is primarily based on the flotation of molybdenite. In molybdenum porphyries, molybdenite is the main component to be recovered. In contrast, in copper porphyries, it can only be economically viable as a by-product.

For molybdenite-only porphyries, flotation processing is straightforward. Given the excellent floatability of molybdenite, kerosene, fuel oil, steam-distilled oil, and other hydrocarbon reagents can be used. These reagents are preferred over xanthates and other collectors that adsorb onto other accessory sulfides (copper and iron), whose co-flotation with molybdenite is undesirable.

For copper-molybdenum porphyries, Cu/Mo separation must be achieved by using activators or...