Growth for steel demand in China is expected to dip below 10 percent for the first time in recent years. Growth in the steel market, and consequently growth for moly is expected to improve, however, at a slower pace than in recent years. These factors may influence moly price in 2011.
Many molybdenum firms benefited from higher prices for moly in 2010 as well as massive investments from moly hungry China. Backed by growing steel demand from the urbanization of China, moly prices rose from the abysmal $8 lows in 2008 up to $18 per pound in April 2010, prices have since settled to around $16 per pound.
Many molybdenum mining companies have released Second Quarter results, as well as updates for ongoing projects. Results for the companies are mixed as some have benefited from rising moly prices, while others have struggled to get new projects online.
Molybdenum is obtained from two different types of mines: primary mines and by-product mines. By-product mines are most commonly referred to as Copper-Molybdenum ore bodies, while ‘primary’ mines focus solely on molybdenum production.
While rising Molybdenum prices have helped the revenues of most all molybdenum mining companies, new projects and other miscellaneous costs have hampered first quarter profits. As the results for Q1 come in, which companies have capitalized on rising demand for moly? Also, an update for the merger between Quadra Mining and FNX Mining.
Thompson Creek Metals and General Moly released first quarter results. While the price of molybdenum has been steadily increasing the two companies have posted a loss for the quarter. However, long term outlook for the two remain strong based on increased production and rising prices. They may be a bargain for investors looking to capitalize on long term molybdenum forecasts.
China’s stockpiling of molybdenum, now 30 percent of the world’s total inventory, may be attributable to their nuclear energy build up. Massive amounts of moly are needed for the highly specialized tubing needed for the reactors. These factors, as well as the rapid urbanization of China and India, and the modernization of the two powers, will be the driving influences for moly in the future.
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