Molybdenum extraction process: An overview

An ever-increasing quantity of low-grade molybdenite concentrates are being produced from secondary sources especially as by-products of copper and uranium mining. Such low-grade MoS, concentrates are nor amenable for the extraction of Mo metal by traditional methods. A critical survey indicates that over the past three decades significant research efforts have been directed not only to improve and modify the conventional methods, but also to develop new methods for the extraction of molybdenum satisfying indigenous needs and environmental considerations. In this paper, the various methods of extracting molybdenum from its primary and secondary sources are critically reviewed. Ten distinct new approaches have been considered as potentially useful methods and a critical appraisal has been made of the new routes investigated during the past two decades. At the end, the Indian status on this subject is critically reviewed and potentially useful processes have been identified.