276 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ROYAL CANADIAN INSTITUTE. [VOL. XI 
the Canadian production is purchased for the Allied Governments by 
the Imperial Munitions Board. 
Canadian molybdenum purchased by the Imperial Munitions 
Board at Ottawa in the form of molybdenite concentrate, is, at the 
moment, being converted to ferro-molybdenum in Canada before being 
exported to Europe, and as it is possible to manufacture the ferro-alloy 
from concentrates containing less than 85% MoSs, the following sliding 
scale of payment has been adopted by the Board: 
(a) For concentrates containing not less than 85% molybdenite, 
$1.09 per pound of contained MoSs. 
(b) For concentrates containing not less than 80% molybdenite, 
$1.05 per pound of contained MoSz. 
(c) For concentrates containing not less than 75% molybdenite, 
$1.02 per pound of contained MoSs. 
(d) For concentrates containing not less than 70% molybdenite, 
$1.00 per pound of contained MoSz. 
It is difficult to forecast with any accuracy the future conditions of 
the industry, but it is reasonable to assume that with increased pro- 
duction and a more normal market, the present prices will decline. 
It is possible that with the end of the war consumption may keep pace 
with production as the metal has a multitude of useful applications in 
the peaceful arts; however that may be, producers would do well to 
assume that a drop in price is inevitable with the end of the war and to 
prepare themselves accordingly. 
CANADIAN PRODUCTION. 
The mining and metallurgical treatment of Canadian molybdenum 
ores has up to 1916 played a very small part in the world’s production. 
This has been due to various factors, chief of which have been the limited 
demand for the mineral and at unattractive prices, together with the 
fact that no Canadian mine had until 1916 been developed to the point 
of a steady producer. 
In 1911, the Mines Branch of the Department of Mines published 
a monograph entitled ‘‘Report on the Molybdenum Ores of Canada”’ 
by Dr. T. L. Walker, of Toronto University; and while this report 
contained considerable detailed information regarding the various 
localities throughout the country in which ores of molybdenum occurred, 
it was at that time impossible to foretell with any degree of accuracy, 
the probabilities of Canadian production, or to describe commercial 
methods of preparing the ore for the market. 
In 1915, the Mines Branch, in response to a circular issued by the 
Colonial Institute of Great Britain, commenced a detailed examination 
