Climax mine

The Climax mine, located in Climax, Colorado, United States, is a major molybdenum mine in Lake and Summit counties, Colorado. The operations encompass approximately 14,350 acres, consisting primarily of patented mining claims and other fee lands.

Shipments from the mine began in 1915. At its highest output, the Climax mine was the largest molybdenum mine in the world, and for many years it supplied three quarters of the world's supply of molybdenum.

After a long shutdown, the Climax mine reopened and resumed molybdenum shipment on May 10, 2012. The Climax open-pit mine currently includes a 25,000 metric ton-per-day mill facility, with the capacity to produce approximately 30 million pounds of molybdenum per year.

The mine is owned by Climax Molybdenum Company, a subsidiary of Freeport-McMoRan.