Figures released by the International Molybdenum Association (IMOA) show that the global production of molybdenum rose by 2% to 146 mlbs when compared to the same quarter of 2020, although this represented a 10% fall when compared to the previous quarter.
China became the largest producer of molybdenum at 51.2 mlbs. Production rose 10% when compared to the same quarter of the previous year. South America saw a 3% rise to 45.9 mlbs when compared to the same quarter of the previous year. North American production fell 4% to 37.7 mlbs when compared to the same quarter of the previous year. Production in other regions fell 8% to 11.2mlbs in comparison to the same quarter of the previous year.
China remained the largest user of molybdenum at 61.7 mlbs, a significant 53% rise when compared to the same quarter of the previous year. Europe remained the second largest user of molybdenum at 34.8 mlbs, a 12% increase when compared to the same quarter of the previous year and a 10% rise when compared to the previous quarter. Usage in other regions increased by 9% to 24.2 mlbs when compared to the same quarter of the previous year.