molybdenum

Molybdenum is not a native metal, but can be found in minerals in an oxidation state. Molybdenum is used in steel alloys. The Henderson Mine in Clear Creek County is the nation’s largest primary molybdenum mine; the mine produced 35 million pounds of molybdenum in 2008. The mine lies in the Front Range, just west of Empire. The Climax Mine near Leadville began reopening in 2008, but when the price of molybdenum dropped from more than $30 per pound less than $10 per pound in a few weeks, the reopening was suspended.