Molybdenum metal does not exist in its free state in nature. The main mineral of molybdenum is molybdenite (molybdenum disulfide, MoS₂).
The reserves of molybdenum on the earth are small, its content is only 0.001% of the weight of the earth's crust, and the total reserves of molybdenum ore are about 15 million tons, mainly distributed in the United States, China, Chile, Russia, Canada and other countries. China's proven molybdenum metal reserves are 1.72 million tons, and the basic reserves are 3.43 million tons, ranking second in the world after the United States. Molybdenum ore is concentrated in four provinces: Shaanxi, Henan, Jilin and Liaoning.