• 315 days Will The ECB Continue To Hike Rates?
  • 315 days Forbes: Aramco Remains Largest Company In The Middle East
  • 317 days Caltech Scientists Succesfully Beam Back Solar Power From Space
  • 717 days Could Crypto Overtake Traditional Investment?
  • 721 days Americans Still Quitting Jobs At Record Pace
  • 723 days FinTech Startups Tapping VC Money for ‘Immigrant Banking’
  • 726 days Is The Dollar Too Strong?
  • 727 days Big Tech Disappoints Investors on Earnings Calls
  • 728 days Fear And Celebration On Twitter as Musk Takes The Reins
  • 729 days China Is Quietly Trying To Distance Itself From Russia
  • 730 days Tech and Internet Giants’ Earnings In Focus After Netflix’s Stinker
  • 734 days Crypto Investors Won Big In 2021
  • 734 days The ‘Metaverse’ Economy Could be Worth $13 Trillion By 2030
  • 735 days Food Prices Are Skyrocketing As Putin’s War Persists
  • 737 days Pentagon Resignations Illustrate Our ‘Commercial’ Defense Dilemma
  • 737 days US Banks Shrug off Nearly $15 Billion In Russian Write-Offs
  • 741 days Cannabis Stocks in Holding Pattern Despite Positive Momentum
  • 741 days Is Musk A Bastion Of Free Speech Or Will His Absolutist Stance Backfire?
  • 741 days Two ETFs That Could Hedge Against Extreme Market Volatility
  • 744 days Are NFTs About To Take Over Gaming?
  1. Home
  2. Markets
  3. Other

Why Molybdenum Miners Are Soaring?

On September 27th, 2010 I wrote an article mentioning that uranium miners and molybdenum miners were poised for a breakout. I wrote in the article, "There have been some recent breakouts in some uranium and molybdenum plays which I will be telling my premium readers about in the next couple of days." Since that article the molybdenum and uranium miners have made huge gains due to supply concerns globally. While investors are concerned of a global currency devaluation, a global race is occurring to control molybdenum and uranium assets.

The primary molybdenum miners such as Thompson Creek(TC) and General Moly(GMO) are up today on speculation that China will curb molybdenum production as they classify the metal as a natural resource. General Moly (GMO) released their earnings today and mentioned that China remains a net importer of 5.5 million pounds year to date. This development will have a huge impact on the global supply of molybdenum as China is the largest producer and supplier of over one third of the global supply. These primarily molybdenum producers will receive a premium as molybdenum is usually a byproduct of copper production which is usually fixed. Primary molybdenum producers will receive a premium for their assets as demand accelerates.

The price of molybdenum is more than 50% off pre credit crisis highs yet demand is seriously exceeding supply. China has imposed mining quotas in the past and is expected to curb exports again in 2011. China has also a need for high strength steel. Even though it produced 50% of the world's steel, China only consumed 30% of global supply. If they consume more molybdenum similar to other producers they will demand a much higher amount of imports. They have a need for high strength steel which requires molybdenum. China's recent stimulus which focussed on infrastructure requires a large supply of molybdenum as it is needed for bridges, power plants and pipelines.

This trend has a huge impact on many emerging markets which was relying on the Chinese supply. Korea and the Japanese are under pressure to find supply for their own needs. Other growing economies which require high performance steel are going to look for ways to control future supply.

Recently the Chinese Government accelerated and approved funding through Hanlong Investments for General Moly's Mt. Hope project accelerating the funding and showing their commitment to the project. Mt. Hope is the largest and highest grade primarily molybdenum project in development. Shares have soared on the news and the enthusiasm from the Chinese Government.

General Moly Inc Chart

I expect to see more transactions to occur in natural resource stocks in 2011 especially in molybdenum and uranium. Buying these assets provide investors with a hedge against currency devaluation and leverage to emerging market growth. As many nations will be forced to devalue their currency to increase economic growth, major natural resource assets will gain interest from countries experiencing economic growth. Shareholders in these key junior mining companies which control these world class assets may receive a premium in 2011 and beyond.

To stay updated with key junior miners about to make major moves, visit http://goldstocktrades.com.

 

Back to homepage

Leave a comment

Leave a comment