North American based Thompson Creek Metals Co. sees strong long term demand for molybdenum, though near term orders should remain weak but steady with some ongoing pick up from Chinese buyers and other customers following later in 2009. Mr Kevin Loughery CEO of Thompson Creek Metals said that after a heavy destocking process over the last few months, some steel producers have given word they may be ready to buy molybdenum again in coming weeks. For guidance, he said that indications point to a demand pick up either later in 2009 or early 2010. He also said that Thompson Creek began selling molybdenum to Chinese buyers beginning last November and has continued to do so since then, selling directly to steel producers who have contacted the miner for their metal. He further added that “We are expecting a slightly increasing molybdenum price as the year goes on. We expect it to move up to something like the USD 10 range on average for the year. At current price levels, Thompson Creek is in the breakeven range and we had liked the price to be above that.”