Where to Find Molybdenum in the United States
3 mapped molybdenum spots across 3 U.S. states. Molybdenum is reported at multiple rockhounding spots across the United States. The map below shows where collectors most often find it on legal public ground.
Map showing where to find molybdenum across the United States, with 3 mapped spots
Top states for molybdenum
States ranked by number of molybdenum spots in our database. States in bold link to a focused molybdenum-in-state list.
Every molybdenum spot we track
Sorted by state and county. Coordinates open in Google Maps.
| Spot | County | Minerals | Coordinates | Access |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dumps near Esperanza MineElams Loop | Pima County |
| 31.8670, -111.1298 | Public |
| Tungsten Hill MinePacific Northwest Trail | Boundary County | 48.8996, -116.2758 | Public | |
| Crescent PeakCrescent Peak Road | Clark County | 35.4739, -115.1279 | Public |
Molybdenum rockhounding FAQ
Where is the best place to find molybdenum in the U.S.?+
Arizona, Idaho, Nevada have the highest concentrations of molybdenum in this list. Each state's quality and access varies — open the linked state pages for a detailed view.
How many molybdenum rockhounding spots does RockHoundR track?+
3 mapped spots across 3 states. The app keeps these on a map alongside your private finds.
Can I legally collect molybdenum on public land?+
Casual hand collecting of common rocks and minerals like molybdenum is allowed on most BLM and U.S. Forest Service land, with daily and annual limits set by the local field office. National parks, most state parks, and tribal land are off-limits. Always check with the managing agency before a trip.
How do I identify molybdenum in the field?+
Field identification of molybdenum comes down to color, hardness, fracture, and luster. The RockHoundR app links to geology details for each spot to help narrow down what you might be picking up.
Hunt molybdenum on the map
Open RockHoundR to see these spots on a real map with public land overlays and trip-planning details.
