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http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/feedarticle/8008351NEW YORK, Nov 10 (Reuters) - Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc said on Monday it would cut molybdenum production and may cut output of copper due to weak demand and prices, but its shares rose after China announced a huge stimulus package.
Prices for base metals like copper and minor metals including molybdenum have collapsed in recent weeks on mounting concerns about the health of the world economy.
However, prices for copper and other metals rallied Monday after China announced a $586 billion economic stimulus plan, helping to push up Freeport's shares by as much as 11 percent.
Freeport, the world's biggest publicly traded copper producer, said it was preparing revised plans at each of its copper operations to reduce costs and capital spending.
The company said it would provide an update on its revised operating plans in December.
In the meantime, Freeport said it would cut molybdenum production from its Henderson mine and defer the restart of its Climax molybdenum mine. Both mines are in Colorado.
Slowing demand for molybdenum in the metallurgical and chemicals sectors, coupled with weak global economic conditions and turmoil in credit and financial markets, has hurt prices for the metal, the Phoenix-based company said.
Freeport will cut annual production at the Henderson mine, one of the largest primary molybdenum-producing mines in the world, by about 10 million pounds, or 25 percent of capacity.
The company said it would also look at curtailing output at other mines that produce molybdenum as a by-product.
The Metals Week molybdenum dealer oxide price was $12 per pound on Monday, down from about $30 in mid-October, it noted.
Molybdenum, which has the ability to withstand extreme temperatures without significantly expanding or softening, is widely used in the manufacture of aircraft parts, electrical contacts, industrial motors and filaments.
"We have a positive long-term view for molybdenum markets and will be positioned to increase our production as market conditions improve," CEO Richard Adkerson said in a statement.
It doesn't look good for holders right now. Perhaps the best hope is that they might be taken out in a takeover. This has to be an atractive target for one of the bigger players...
On researching info from Moly Mines annual report, production will not commence until July 2010, so by then the price of Molybdenum may be quite different from today.Why do a lot people assume that because a stock has become cheap that it automatically rates as a takeover target?...what would make MOL attractive to anyone right now?
Trust me, the toe-cutters are coming out of the woodwork in a lot of companies, everyone is looking at reducing costs and getting rid of unecessary overheads. Takeovers are the last thing on their minds right now.
jman
On researching info from Moly Mines annual report, production will not commence until July 2010, so by then the price of Molybdenum may be quite different from today. IMHO this enough for me to hang in to July 2010.
Well Jman... looks like another molyb small cap has heeded your advice, but instead of scaling back they suspending operations:
"Queensland Ores Ltd has suspended operations at its troubled Wolfram Camp tungsten and molybdenum mine and is pursuing funding options amid the global financial crisis.
The company said operations had been suspended to conserve cash while some mining and metallurgical issues are addressed amid a downturn in molybdenum prices and financial markets."
Been a quiet few plodding months for this one, but the last two weeks have seen some action - highlighted by a 26% jump today??? WTF?
any explanations? did Molyb prices just boom again??? weird.
It has and I hold MOL & ARV.. ARV got lots of action today considering it's right on the door step to MOL... interesting times for both...
Welcome to the forum TKWAKU - some really great knowledgeable people in here, so I'm sure you will enjoy your time and gain from their experience. My advice is to grow some thick skin (you may need it at times) and be careful not to act on the opinions on the forum without doing your own research. I'm sure you wil enjoy it.
So nothing really new from Moly, very interesting to know what drove the price increase. I really hope the pull it together and get this mine up and going, the resources are really good.
Don`t know Garp.
Still watching MOL slip down further as world market situation and future share dilution eats away at investor confidence.Harbingers officially reduced holdings and the 20 c share price range is nearing.
There is also the 980 million dollars required to complete the project so this deal has a long way to go.I suppose the future dilution is being factored in now.
Chart showing fall from $4.60 with bottom not yet visible.
The ball is well and truly rolling now with I/O production planned from mid 2010. Financial muscle from the Chinese (no Australian's stepped up) ensures the Mo project will materialise in combination with the direct shipped I/O. Plenty of growth in MOL one would think if all goes to plan.
19 cent low was a steal.
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