porphyry molybdenum deposit
Quick Summary
A porphyry molybdenum deposit is a large body of rock, typically a porphyry of granitic to dioritic composition, that has been fractured and contains disseminated molybdenum minerals. These deposits are a type of hydrothermal mineral deposit, meaning they form when hot water, often in the form of brines, acts as a solvent and transporting agent for ore minerals.12
The primary ore mineral for molybdenum is molybdenite (MoS2). These deposits are often found in association with igneous intrusions and can be either primary molybdenum deposits or complex copper-molybdenum deposits, where molybdenum is recovered as a byproduct of copper mining. While low-grade, the large scale of these deposits makes them significant sources of molybdenum, which is a vital metal used in various alloys, particularly steels, due to its ability to enhance hardness, toughness, and strength.31
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