Molybdenum Flash News

A newly disclosed lawsuit filed by BHP Group’s wholly owned Spence copper-molybdenum mine estimates that stoppages on June 30–July 1 and July 7–8 cut contained-molybdenum output by 2 metric tonnes. The company also claims losses of 400 metric tonnes of copper cathode and 167 metric tonnes of contained copper in concentrate. Using July molybdenum sales of 74.76 metric tonnes and revenue of 5.48 million United States dollars, Spence derived an average price of 33.24 dollars per pound and valued the lost molybdenum at about 146,545 dollars. This is a newly quantified historical loss, not a new October shutdown; the figures remain allegations in a lawsuit and have not been adjudicated.

Centinela Concentrates produced 900 metric tonnes of contained molybdenum in the third quarter of 2026, up 12.5% from the preceding quarter, although nine-month output remained 11.5% lower year on year at 2,300 metric tonnes. Molybdenum grade increased to 0.016% from 0.014%, while recovery rose to 79.1% from 76.8%. Molybdenum sales increased 14.3% to 800 metric tonnes, despite a 4.7% decline in copper-in-concentrate output. The figures predate the post-quarter strike involving unions representing about 20% of directly employed workers, and no molybdenum loss has been quantified. Production is on a 100% mine basis, not Antofagasta’s 70% attributable share or physical concentrate mass.

Los Pelambres produced 2,000 metric tonnes of contained molybdenum in the third quarter of 2026, down 13.0% from the preceding quarter. Nine-month output fell 23.9% year on year to 6,700 metric tonnes. Molybdenum grade declined to 0.018% from 0.019%, while recovery fell to 76.5% from 81.4%. Sales decreased 24.0% to 1,900 metric tonnes. Copper production rose 17.5% as inventories were released, but molybdenum did not recover, highlighting continuing grade and recovery constraints. The figures are on a 100% mine basis, not Antofagasta’s 60% attributable share or physical concentrate mass.