
Molybdenite
Virtual Museum ID: 17-PME6700
Specimen Summary
Soft silvery-grey molybdenite is the main ore mineral for molybdenum. Molybdenum, often just called ‘moly’, is used to make alloys with other metals like iron. Adding molybdenum to steel makes it stronger, harder and more resistant to corrosion. It also has a very high melting temperature, so is very useful when added to alloys to make aircraft parts and industrial motors, which need to withstand high temperatures.
This sample of molybdenite is from the Boss Mountain mine in the Cariboo region of central BC. The Boss Mountain mine is on the eastern slopes of Big Timothy Mountain, about 43 km southeast of the small town of Horsefly.
First discovered in 1917, the Boss Mountain open pit mine was active on and off until 1983, when it finally closed due to low molybdenum prices. At its peak in 1961, estimated reserves were 1.4 million tonnes of ore with an average grade of 0.75% molybdenite.
The molybdenite at the Boss Mountain mine is found in quartz veins up to 30 cm wide. The veins are part of a type of mineral deposit called a porphyry deposit, which forms in and around certain kinds of intrusive rocks.
Specimen Data
The information listed below relates to the current holding location or collection that the sample is from, and whether the item is viewable at that location or is part of a private collection. Coordinates are given as guides, and we remind you that collecting specimens from these locations is not allowed. Caution is advised visiting such sites and Below BC assumes no responsibility for any injuries or trespassing charges that may occur as a result of the viewer entering these sites.
Collection Details
Original Collection:
Pacific Museum of Earth (PME)Sub Collection:
Sutton-ThompsonCollection ID:
PME-6700Virtual Museum ID:
17-PME6700Accessibility:
Date Added to VM:
2017-12-08Location Information
Sample Origin:
Boss Mountain, British ColumbiaSpecific Site:
-UTM Easting:
665900.9863UTM Northing:
5780812.859Datum:
10 (NAD 83)Coordinate Accuracy:
ApproximateSpecimen Details
VM Category:
MineralPrimary Features:
MolybdenitePrimary Mineral Formula:
MoS2Primary Category:
sulphideSecondary Features:
Advanced Geological Information
The following section provides geological data relating to the specimen or the site it was collected from, when available. Information has been obtained from various sources including private and government datasets but may not be up to date. Any geological time periods or ages listed often relate to the primary geology of the area, and may not be the actual date of an event such as mineral formation.
Geological Formation:
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N/AGeological Belt:
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Site Details:
N/AAdditional Images