China may become a net importer of molybdenum in five years from now,
George Song, president of Shangxiang Minmetals said Friday. Speaking at the
Metal Bulletin's 7th Asian ferroalloys conference in Hong Kong, Song said
China's domestic consumption on moly had been on the uptrend and the country
would continue to see steady demand growth in 2006. "China now consumes
about 50% of the country's total moly production and this will continue to
increase," he said. 

     Song said China's molybdenum output in 2005 stood at around 69 million lb
and the country was expected to produce 75 million lb in 2006.

......

According to Song, China imported 44.34 million lb of moly concentrate
in 2005, doubling the 2004 level. "China will import more moly concentrate in
the future due to the tolling conversion being introduced again after the ban
in 2004-2005," he said.

......

          According to Song, China exported not more than 80 million lb of
molybdenum in 2005, 25% less than the 2004 level mainly due to growing
domestic demand and limited output in the country.

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