MinorMetals.com :: MMTA CONFERENCE - Molybdenum market turns corner, price seen rising to $35/lb by 2014

London, 27 April 2010 - The molybdenum market has seen its worst with demand now recovering, and although there will be small supply surpluses over the next few years, prices are seen strengthening to around $35 per pound by 2014, Judith Chegwidden, managing director of Roskill Information Services said on Tuesday.

"[The market] will be in surplus over the next few years. Beyond 2011 it will become tight, and deficits could arise up to 2014 if planned new capacity does not come in on time," she said at the Minor Metals Trade Association (MMTA) conference, organised by Metal-Events.

Molybdenum oxide (MO3) supply, which ranged between 120,000 and 140,000 tonnes between the mid-1990s and 2003, spurted to peak at some 220,000 tonnes in 2008, only to fall back by some 12 percent last year due to the economic crisis. Global capacity is around 300,000 tonnes, of which China and the US account for 37 and 27 percent respectively.

In China capacity is fragmented, and in some regions such as Huladao, production costs around $11/12 per pound are relatively high, leaving mines vulnerable to closures on cost grounds. MO3 spot prices are currently around $17.50/18.00 per pound.

Meanwhile, some 120,000 tonnes of new capacity is pencilled to come onstream by 2014, although this may be delayed due to the current difficult financing regime, Chegwidden said.

"If prices were to go to $15, then some of this will not happen."

Demand, which is driven by MO3's use in steel-alloys and principally stainless steel, was knocked out of its stride of five percent annual growth by the 2009 economic downturn, having peaked at some 200,000 tonnes in 2008.

"We think there will be a recovery in 2010. China and the US account for over 50 percent of demand (25 and 27 percent respectively) and China may have overtaken the US. China is likely to be the largest consumer, going forward," Chegwidden said.

"It (demand) will increase across all regions to 2014, largely in China, and stainless-steel will take a slightly larger proportion."

Prices, which will average around current levels this year, are seen rising to around $20 and $25 in 2011 and 2012 respectively.

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