The border vidette., 1931-02-07
MOLYBDeNuM PRODUCTION IN
1890 WELL MAiNT AIMED

The production of molydenum
ore in the United States during
1880, though slightly less than
in 1929, was substantially greater
than in 1923 or in any preceding
year, according to data collected
by the United States Bureau OF
Mines, Department of Commerce
The production in 1880, as es
timated from reports from the
leading producers for il months
operation. amounted to approx
matelyg, 167, 900 pounds of molly
bedenum sulphide (MoS2), Most
of this material was represented
by concentrates although small
amount of high-grade ore was
shipped from the mines without
concentrating. The shipments
of concentrates aud ore from the
mines contained an equivalent OF
approximately 100000 pounds
of elemental moly benum valued.
more or less arbitrarily. at 81,
600. 900. Shipments In 1929
amounted to 3, 904 649 pounds; 10
1923 they were 3,329.214 pounds.
Molly bdenum stocks at the
mines and reduction works in
creased relatively little and
actual consumption was sub
stantially larger than during
any previous year except 1929
Since by far the bulk Of the pro
duction was used in stee! man
ufacture and since the produc
tion of steel dropped eff q per
cent last year, it is evident that
the production of molybdenum-
tree ted steels increased relative
~ to the total production OF
plain carbon and other alloy
steels. Molly bdenum is used
extensively in aircraft and auto
motive steels. To a smaller ex
tent it is also used ia various
special steels employed in bear
,ngs, steel castings, and in cor
rosion and high temperature res
listing alloys for various purpos
ca. AZ substantial outlet has
recently been developed in. the
nickel-moly bdenum-iron alloys
containing as much as 2Ot per
cent molly bdenum and capable
Of resisting the action OF hydro
chloric acid. A surprising am
cunt of molibdenum wire and
sheet is used in the radio indus
try. Molybdenum wire. which
is made by at least three com
panies, is used as the support
ing flament in incandescent
lamps and radio tubes. In the
chemical field, q new develop
ment of Importance is the use OF
various catalysts. several of
which contain molly bdenum OK
ide, in connection with the hyd
rogenation of oils and especially
in the production Of motor fuel
from the heavier constituents of
crude petroleum.
The price of colcium molyb
date or molyte was reduced in
October from 95 to IS cents per
pound of molly bdenum contain
ed. Molly bdenum is introduced
into steel principally in this.
form, but the use of ferromolyb
denum is said to be on the in
crease despite the fact that the
price remains at 81 per pound of
contained molly ybdenum.
In April, 1880. the Molyb.
denum Corporation of America
acquired the ferroalloy and
chemical plant and business of
the York Metal and Alloy Go.
and subsequently has produced
molyte and ferromoly bdenum
at it's plant in Washington, Pa,
aud calcium molly bdate. ammon-
ium molly bdate. soeium molyb
date, moly bdic oxide, and other
chemicals at York, Pa. The
capacity of the mine and mill of
this company at Q1esta. New
Mexico was practically doubled
as q result of the installation
new power plant aud the addi.
ton of new fotation cells. In
Colorado, the Climax Molly ybden
um Go the largest molly bdenum
producer in the world, complet
ed it's new crushing plant and
is now in a position to supply
from 100000 to 5000, 900
pounds of the element annually,
practically twice as much as the
world has hitherto consumed in
a single year. The new Phillip
son tunnel, 465 feet below the
present working level. was con-
tinued through the Mosquito
Fault into the mioeralized area.
This tunnel which will be about
OON c.2k oh~,,lJ Ho n4oo