Molybdenum
Molybdenum (Mo) is often confused as a lead, or graphite ore. It is used in alloys and electrodes and was used by Germans in WW2 in their artillery gun “Big Bertha.”
Molybdenum is a hard transition metal of a silvery white colour. It was discovered in 1778 but virtually ignored for the following 100 years. Other than finding use for it as a heating element for furnaces and as a supporting ingredient in tungsten light bulbs in 1906, it took the First World War to increase demand for the metal when it became used in the armour plating military vehicles, particularly tanks. It was also found to be a substitute for tungsten. The Second World War gave prominence to Molybdenum once again for its ability to strengthen iron and steel plating. Modern technology since the Second World War has significantly increased the demand for molybdenum.
Molybdenum is obtained from molybdenite, powellite and wulfenite ores which are usually present with the mining of tungsten and tin. It is also sourced as a by-product of mining and processing copper and tungsten.
The Uses of Molybdenum
Molybdenum has a high melting point which makes it useful in many of the following products;
- Electrodes in electrically heated glass making furnaces
- Aircraft and missile parts
- In the nuclear power industry
- A catalyst in the refining of petrol
- An alloy agent in steel making that requires ultra-high strength
- Allowing steel to withstand very high temperatures
- Use in the chemical industry when alloyed with nickel to make corrosion and heat resistant materials
- As a high temperature lubricant
- To facilitate enamels adhering to steel
- An essential trace element for all life forms
Molybdenum is not affected by Heat
Molybdenum can withstand very high temperatures without softening, expanding or changing shape, this makes it essential in the manufacturing of electrical contacts, filaments, industrial motors, aircraft parts and armour.
The future Will see Great Changes in the use of Molybdenum Disulphide
Molybdenum disulphide is widely used as a lubricant but the world in on the verge of it being used for vastly different purposes. Some laboratories are currently manufacturing it into large sheets that can be scaled up into practical use outside the laboratory. The material being produced is so thin it is completely transparent and it can be placed over any other type of material. One usage of this could be as a very large screen for television displays, or computer monitors of the future, where a separate transistor could control each pixel. This material, that is only one molecule in thickness, is far different from the highly purified silicon used in conventional transistors that are millions of atoms thick. A very large molybdenum disulphide screen would require an infinitesimal amount of raw material which equates to reduced cost, reduced weight and an improvement in energy efficiency. It could also be used as a light emitting device. Instead of obtaining light from one light bulb, a whole wall, or ceiling, could be the light source. The circuitry and the antenna of a mobile phone could be woven into fabric providing an improved signal reception and emission that would require less power. It could even be incorporated into clothing.
Australian Mines that produce Bauxite
Gove (NT)
Up to 600 workers employed at the Gove bauxite refinery in the Northern Territory face an uncertain future as Pacific Aluminium suspends alumina production.
Ely (QLD)
The Ely Alcan Queensland Pty Ltd agreement at the Weipa bauxite mine is due to expire in 2041 but an option will give it a further 21 years extension.
Skardon River (QLD)
Gulf Alumina acquired 100 percent of the Skardon River tenement in 2011 from its koalin mining joint partner to develop the mining of bauxite at the site
Weipa (QLD)
The Weipa bauxite mine on the western side of the Cape York Peninsula in northern Queensland is both owned and operated by Rio Tinto Alcan.
Huntly (WA)
The Huntly mine in Western Australia is the largest bauxite mine in the world currently producing about 23 million tonnes of bauxite annually.
Willowdale (WA)
The Willowdale bauxite mine that commenced production in 1984 still processes 10 million tonnes of bauxite a year at the nearby Wagerup Refinery.
Worsley (WA)
The Worsley bauxite mine and alumina refinery in South West Western Australia employs more than 1,800 people and produces 4.6 million tonnes of alumina annually.
South Aurukun (QLD)
The South Aurukun bauxite tenements on the Cape York Peninsula in Far North Queensland are held by Gulf Alumina.
Marchinbar Island (NSW)
The Marchinbar Island bauxite deposit in far north Northern Territory could be mined to satisfy a growing demand from China in the near future.
Kwinana Refinery (WA)
The Kwinana refinery in WA employs around 1,000 direct employees with 60 percent living in the nearby towns of Rockingham, Cockburn and Kwinana.
Wagerup Refinery (WA)
The Alcoa owned Wagerup alumina refinery in W.A. has received governmental approval to lift alumina production from 2.6 to 2.65 million tonnes annually.
Pinjarra Alumina Refinery (WA)
The Pinjarra alumina refinery, near Mandurah south of Perth, is an important part of Alcoa's three refinery system in Western Australia.
Portland Aluminium Smelter (VIC)
The Portland Aluminium smelter in western Victoria, a joint venture operation between Alcoa, CITIC and Marubeni, caters solely to the Asian market.
Felicitas (WA)
The Felicitas bauxite project in Western Australia contains a bauxite resource of 220 million tonnes that will give it a life of mine of 25 years
South Of Embley (QLD)
Despite Rio Tinto placing its South of Embley bauxite project in Cape York, Queensland, on hold for 18 months it still considers it a 'good project.'
Bauxite Hills (QLD)
The Bauxite Hills Project on the Cape York Peninsula in Queensland is hoping to take advantage of an expected increase in the demand for Alumina.
Bald Hill (TAS)
Australian Bauxite Limited's Bald Hill mine, in Tasmania, is to start production in December, 2014. It is the first new bauxite mine in Australia, for over 35 years.
Urquhart Point (QLD)
The Urquhart Point Heavy Mineral Sands Project in Cape York in Far North Queensland is expected to begin production in mid-2015.
Amrun (QLD)
The Amrun bauxite project in far north Queensland, that was previously known as the 'South of Embley' project has been approved for development and expected to be in production by 2019.
