The Negative Effects of Wastes From the Molybdenum Extraction Process on Living Organisms

Today, with the increasing global demand for molybdenum, the molybdenum industry is developing rapidly. To minimize the environmental footprint of production, optimization of hydrometallurgical recycling and reliance on renewable and secondary resources are critical. Improving molybdenum recovery from industrial waste cakes is vital for both economic efficiency and environmental protection. This study evaluates the negative consequences of molybdenum mining and processing wastes, particularly focusing on the technological challenges at the “Rare Metals and Hard Alloys” Scientific Production Association of the Almalyk Mining and Metallurgical Complex (AMMC). The article analyzes the chemical composition of waste cakes and liquid effluents, their mechanisms of environmental transport, and their toxicological effects on flora, fauna, and human health. The dual nature of molybdenum—as an essential micronutrient that causes severe pathological conditions (such as gout and esophageal cancer) in both deficiency and excess—is thoroughly examined. The paper proposes technological improvements in waste management to mitigate ecological risks in nearby residential areas.