Porphyry copper deposits are copper orebodies that are formed from hydrothermal fluids that originate from a voluminous magma chamber several kilometers below the deposit itself. Predating or associated with those fluids are vertical dikes of porphyritic intrusive rocks from which this deposit type derives its name. In later stages, circulating meteoric fluids may interact with the magmatic fluids. Successive envelopes of hydrothermal alteration typically enclose a core of disseminated ore minerals in often stockwork-forming hairline fractures and veins. Because of their large volume, porphyry orebodies can be economic from copper concentrations as low as 0.15% copper and can have economic amounts of by-products such as molybdenum, silver and gold. In some mines, those metals are the main product.
The Myszków mine is a large mine in the centre of Poland in Myszków, Myszków County, 258 km south-west of the capital, Warsaw. Myszków represents one of the largest copper and silver reserve in Poland having estimated reserves of 1,334 million tonnes of ore grading 0.15% copper and 2.37 g/tonnes silver. The 1.334 billion tonnes of ore contains 2 million tonnes of copper metal and around 3,200 tonnes of silver but the deposit also grades 0.07% molybdenum that contains 934,000 tonnes of molybdenum metal and 0.05% tungsten that contains 667,000 tonnes of tungsten metal.
The Munka mine is one of the largest molybdenum mines in Sweden. The mine is located in Rappen geological district of the Arjeplog Municipality in northern Sweden. It is currently owned by Beowulf Mining and has reserves amounting to 1.7 million tonnes of molybdenum ore grading 0.156% molybdenum thus resulting 2,652 tonnes of molybdenum. All exploration work at the mine has been carried out by the Geological Survey of Sweden (SGU).
The Zharchikhinski mine is one of the largest molybdenum mines in Russia. The mine is located near Ulan-Ude in south-east Russia in Buryatia. The Zharchikhinski mine has reserves amounting to 110 million tonnes of molybdenum ore grading 0.09% molybdenum thus resulting 100,000 tonnes of molybdenum.
The Sorsk mine is one of the largest molybdenum mines in Russia. The mine is located near Abakan in south Russia in Khakassia. The Sorsk mine has reserves amounting to 140.3 million tonnes of molybdenum ore grading 0.05% molybdenum thus resulting 70,000 tonnes of molybdenum.
The Zhireken mine is one of the largest molybdenum mines in Russia. The mine is located near Zhireken in south-west Russia in Zabaykalsky Krai. The Zhireken mine has reserves amounting to 57.3 million tonnes of molybdenum ore grading 0.05% molybdenum thus resulting 28,700 tonnes of molybdenum.
The Mačkatica mine is one of the largest molybdenum mines in Serbia. The mine is located near Mačkatica in south Serbia in Pčinja District. The Mačkatica mine has reserves amounting to 181 million tonnes of molybdenum ore grading 0.07% molybdenum thus resulting 126,000 tonnes of molybdenum.
The Lobash mine is one of the largest molybdenum mines in Russia. The mine is located in north-west Russia in Republic of Karelia. The Lobash mine has reserves amounting to 128.1 million tonnes of molybdenum ore grading 0.14% molybdenum thus resulting 132,000 tonnes of molybdenum.
The Agaskyrskoe mine is a large molybdenum mine located in the south of Russia in Khakassia. Agaskyrskoe represents one of the largest molybdenum reserve in Russia and in the world having estimated reserves of 310.5 million tonnes of ore grading 0.16% molybdenum, 0.032% copper and 16.3 million oz of silver.
The Bugdainskoe mine is a large molybdenum mine located in the south of Russia in Alexandrovo-Zavodsky District, Zabaykalsky Krai. Bugdainskoe represents one of the largest molybdenum reserve in Russia and in the world having estimated reserves of 813 million tonnes of ore grading 0.08% molybdenum, 0.35million oz of gold and 6.2 million oz of silver.
The Metrekskoye mine is one of the largest molybdenum mines in Russia. The mine is located near Abakan in south-west Russia in Zabaykalsky Krai. The Metrekskoye mine has reserves amounting to 47.5 million tonnes of molybdenum ore grading 0.1% molybdenum thus resulting 47,500 tonnes of molybdenum.
The Yangjiazhangzi mine is one of the largest molybdenum mines in China. The mine is located in north-east China in Liaoning. The Metrekskoye mine has reserves amounting to 22.8 million tonnes of molybdenum ore grading 0.15% molybdenum thus resulting 32,145 tonnes of molybdenum.
The Zuun Mod mine is one of the largest molybdenum mines in Mongolia. The mine is located in southern Mongolia. The Zuun Mod mine has reserves amounting to 171 million tonnes of molybdenum ore grading 0.06% molybdenum thus resulting 103,000 tonnes of molybdenum.
The El Creston mine is a large molybdenum mine in the north-west of Mexico in Sonora. El Creston represents one of the largest molybdenum reserves in Mexico and in the world having estimated reserves of 215.4 million tonnes of ore grading 0.071% molybdenum.
The Molybrook mine is one of the largest molybdenum mines in Canada. The mine is located in north-east Canada in Newfoundland and Labrador. The Molybrook mine has reserves amounting to 200 million tonnes of molybdenum ore grading 0.05% molybdenum thus resulting 100,000 tonnes of molybdenum.
The Ajax mine is one of the largest molybdenum mines in Canada. The mine is located in western Canada in British Columbia. The Ajax mine has reserves amounting to 552.1 million tonnes of molybdenum ore grading 0.061% molybdenum thus resulting 337,000 tonnes of molybdenum.
The Thompson Creek mine is one of the largest molybdenum mines in the United States. The mine is located in northern United States in Idaho. The Thompson Creek mine has reserves amounting to 205 million tonnes of molybdenum ore grading 0.06% molybdenum thus resulting 123,000 tonnes of molybdenum.
The Endako mine is one of the largest molybdenum mines in North America. The mine is located near Endako, British Columbia, Canada. The Endako mine has reserves amounting to 448.4 million tonnes of molybdenum ore grading 0.033% molybdenum thus resulting 148,000 tonnes of molybdenum.
