Figures released by the International Molybdenum Association (IMOA) show an increase in the global production of molybdenum in the second quarter of 2010 with a total of 129.1 million lbs of molybdenum produced compared to 119.3 million lbs in the first quarter of the year. The biggest producer was China with 44 million lbs; North America had 41.1 million lbs, South America had 29.7 million lbs and the remaining producing countries accounted for 14.3 million lbs. China also had the most usage, consuming 39.7 million lbs. Europe consumed 30.9 million lbs, USA used 17.5 million lbs, Japan used 15.4 million lbs, CIS consumed 5.1 million lbs and the remaining countries consumed a combined total of 14.9 million lbs. The total usage for the second quarter was 123.5 million lbs