GRAPHITE

By Rustu S. Kalyoncu
Domestic survey data and tables were prepared by Joseph M. Krisanda, statistical assistant, and the world production table
was prepared by Glenn J. Wallace, international data coordinator.
Graphite is one of three forms of crystalline carbon; the other
two are diamond and fullerenes. Graphite occurs naturally in
metamorphic rocks such as marble, schist, and gneiss. It is a
soft mineral, also known by the names of black lead, plumbago,
and mineral carbon. The word graphite is derived from the
Greek word graphein, to write. It has a Mohs hardness of 1 to
2 and exhibits perfect basal cleavage. Depending upon the
purity, the specific gravity is 2.20 to 2.30. The theoretical
density is 2.26 grams per cubic centimeter. It is gray to black in
color, opaque, and has a metallic luster. It is flexible but not
elastic. It has high thermal and electrical conductivities, is
highly refractory, and is chemically inert.
Two general types of graphite, natural and synthetic, are
encountered. Worldwide, natural graphite deposits occur as
lenses or layers of disseminated or massive flakes.
Graphitization of naturally occurring organic carbon may occur
at temperatures as low as 300o C to 500o C or as high as 800o C
to 1,200o C, such as when an igneous intrusion contacts a
carbonaceous body.
The three principal types of natural graphitelump,
crystalline flake, and amorphousare distinguished by physical
characteristics that are the result of major differences in geologic
origin and occurrence. Lump graphite occurs in veins and is
believed to be hydrothermal in origin. It is typically massive,
ranging in particle size from extremely fine to coarse, platy
intergrowths of fibrous or acicular crystalline aggregates with
the long axis parallel to the enclosing wall rock (Kenan, 1984).
Crystalline flake graphite consists of isolated, flat, plate-like
particles with angular, rounded, or irregular edges. It is usually

found in layers or pockets in metamorphic rocks. In some

deposits, the flake graphite occurs as massive accumulations in
veins, lenses, or pods. Amorphous graphite is formed by the
thermal metamorphism of coal. The designation amorphous is
a misnomer. Its relatively low degree of crystalline order and
very fine particle size make it appear amorphous. It is usually
of lower purity than the crystalline flake graphite and,
therefore, commands a lower price than its more ordered
counterpart.
Beneficiation processes for graphite may vary from a
complex four-stage flotation at the European and U.S. mills to
simple hand sorting and screening of high-grade ore at the Sri
Lanka operations. Certain soft graphite ores, such as those
found in Madagascar, need no primary crushing and grinding.
Typically, such ores contain the highest proportion of coarse
flakes. Ore is sluiced to the field washing plant where it
undergoes desliming to remove clay fractions and is subjected
to a rough flotation to produce a concentrate with 60% to 70%
carbon. This concentrate is transported to the refining mill for
further grinding and flotation to reach 85% carbon and
screened to a variety of products marketed as flake graphite
containing 75% to 90% carbon.
Legislation and Government Programs
Total national defense stockpile graphite inventories,
including nonstockpile-grade, were 8,730 metric tons (t) with a
value of about $1.65 million. Madagascar natural graphite
inventories in the United States were 3,870 t with a value of

Graphite in the 20th Century

In 1900, 555 metric tons of graphite valued at $198,000 was
produced in the United States. Michigan, New York,
Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Wisconsin were the only
graphite producing States in 1900. In contrast to production,
14,000 tons of graphite valued at $1.4 million were imported.
Imports were mostly from Ceylon. In the early 1900s, natural
graphite found uses in the manufacture of lead pencils,
lubricants, and few electrical applications. Such uses
continued throughout the mid-1950s.
There has been no graphite mined in the United States since
1990, when United Minerals Co. suspended its graphite
mining operations at its Montana mine, but 60,800 tons of
natural graphite was imported, mainly, in decreasing order,
from China, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, and Madagascar. In
2000, the United States produced 290,000 tons of synthetic
graphite valued at $771 million, and exported 94,000 tons of
GRAPHITE2000

graphite products at a value of $97 million. Today, with the

development of techniques to synthesize graphite from
organic materials and advanced purification methods for
natural graphite, there are myriad applications for both natural
and synthetic graphite. Natural graphite of 99.8% purity can
compete with synthetic graphite in a number of applications
such as fiber composites. Developments in the area of
materials engineering and the ability to process fibers and
synthesize graphite from organic precursors have made
graphite truly a high technology material that has uses such as
high-strength graphite fiber composites for space age
applications. The next important development in the use of
graphite will come in the energy field: advanced automotive
batteries and fuel cells. Fuel cells alone, once fully developed
and marketed, will account for more than half the graphite
consumption in the United States.
35.1

$600,000. There were 4,810 t of Sri Lanka amorphous lump

with a value of $1.10 million (table 2). No acquisition of
graphite for the strategic and critical materials stockpile
occurred in 2000. Graphite no longer has a Government
stockpile goal and all graphite in the Government stockpile has
been authorized for sale.
Production
No graphite was mined in the United States in 2000. The
reported U.S. production of synthetic graphite reached 290,000 t
with a value of $771 million (table 4).
Graphite is mined from open pit and underground mine
operations. Open pit operations are more economical and, thus,
are preferred where the overburden can be removed
economically. Mines in Madagascar are mostly of this type. In
the Republic of Korea, Mexico, and Sri Lanka, where the
deposits are deep, underground mining techniques are required.
Consumption
The use of graphite has changed dramatically. Graphite
exhibits the properties of a metal and a nonmetal, which makes it
suitable for many industrial applications. The metallic
properties include thermal and electrical conductivity. The
nonmetallic properties include inertness, high thermal resistance,
and lubricity. The combination of conductivity and high thermal
stability allows graphite to be used in many applications such as
refractories, batteries, and fuel cells. Lubricity and thermal
conductivity make it an excellent material for high-temperature
applications, because it results in a material that provides
effective lubrication at a friction interface while furnishing a
thermally conductive matrix to remove heat from the same
interface. Lubricity and electrical conductivity allow its use as
the primary material in the manufacture of brushes for electric
motors. A graphite brush effectively transfers electric current to
a rotating armature while the natural lubricity of the brush
minimizes frictional wear. Todays high technology products,
such as friction materials and battery and fuel cells, demand
higher purity graphite.
U.S. consumption of natural graphite increased by more than
20% in 2000 to 41,800 t from 34,600 t in 1999 (table 3). The
crystalline grade increased in 2000 by only 3.5% to 17,900 t
from 17,300 t in 1999, whereas amorphous grade increased by
an impressive 38% in 2000 to 23,900 t from 17,300 t in 1999.
This increased use translated into a more than 50% increase in
value in 2000.
The four major industriesrefractories, brake linings,
lubricants, and foundriesfor which natural graphite is used
continued their dominance in graphite usage, accounting for
one-half of the graphite consumed by U.S. industry in 2000
(table 3). The refractories industry was again the major
consumer of crystalline flake graphite followed by the
manufacture of brake linings and metal powders. Refractory
applications of graphite included castable ramming, gunning
mixtures, and carbon-bonded brick. Carbon-magnesite brick has
applications in high-temperature corrosive environments such as
steel furnaces, ladles, and iron blast furnaces. Carbon-alumina
linings are principally used in continuous steel-casting
35.2

operations. Magnesite- and alumina-carbon brick requires a

particle size of 100 mesh and a purity of 95% to 99% graphite.
Crystalline flake graphite accounted for nearly 45% of
graphite usage in the United States. It was used mainly in
refractories, batteries, and other thermal and electrical
conductivity applications. Amorphous graphite is mainly used
as a lubricant additive, as a pigment in paints; in plastic
refractories, and in other applications where additions of
graphite improve the process or the end product. Lump
graphite finds appropriate uses in a number of areas, such as
steelmaking, depending on the purity and particle size.
Synthetic graphites remain the choice in North America,
accounting more than half of the market. The main market for
high purity synthetic graphites is iron and steel as a
carbon-raiser additive. This market consumes more than 50%
of the synthetic graphite.
Other significant uses of all types of graphites are in the
manufacture of low-current, long-life batteries, steelmaking,
solid carbon shapes, static and dynamic seals, valve and stem
packing, catalyst supports, porosity enhancing inert fillers,
manufacture of rubber, and powder metallurgy. The use of
graphite in low-current batteries is gradually giving way to
carbon black, which is more economical.
Prices
Graphite prices remained unchanged during 2000. Prices for
crystalline flake graphite concentrates ranged from $480 to
$550 per metric ton and commanded higher prices than the
amorphous, which was priced at $220 to $235 per ton (table 5).
Carbon content, flake and crystal size, size distribution, and ash
content affect the price of graphite. The price of synthetic
graphite, however, declined to $1.94 per kilogram in 2000 from
$2.29 per kilogram in 1999. Customary negotiations between
the buyer and the seller lead to wide price fluctuations.
Foreign Trade
Total imports of natural graphite increased in tonnage to
60,800 t in 2000 from 55,800 t in 1999, but the value declined
to $32.5 million in 2000 compared with $34.7 million in 1999
(table 7). Principal import sources of natural graphite were
China, Canada, Mexico, Japan, Madagascar, and Brazil, in
order of tonnages, which accounted for 89% of the value of
total imports. Mexico continued to be the major supplier of
amorphous graphite and Sri Lanka provided the lump variety.
A number of other producers supplied various types and grades
of graphite to the United States, among the more notable being
Japan and Germany.
In spite of showing a noticeable decrease in tonnage, total
exports recorded an impressive 16% increase in total revenue
to $96.5 million in 2000 compared with $82.8 million in 1999
because of the increase in value of the finished goods exported
(table 6).
World Review
World production of graphite in 2000 was estimated to be
602,000 t compared with 600,000 t in 1999. China maintained
U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY MINERALS YEARBOOK2000

its position as the worlds leading graphite producer with

220,000 t, with India in second place with 140,000 t, followed
by Brazil, Mexico, and the Czech Republic, in order of
importance. These five countries accounted for over
three-quarters of the world production (table 9).
Sri Lanka continued to account for nearly all the high-purity
lump graphite produced. Sri Lankan deposits were estimated to
average 95% graphite in situ. China accounted for 37% of
world production.
Current Research and Technology
In recent years, new technology in processing and treatment
has expanded the use of natural graphites in battery applications.
Graphite for these applications is purified to 99.9% carbon.
Most new uses for graphite products are being developed
through advances in graphite thermal technology. The ability to
refine and modify graphite and carbon products will be the key
to future growth in the graphite industry. Innovative refining
techniques have enabled the use of improved graphite in friction
materials, electronics, foil, and lubrication applications (Hand,
l997). Some of the new application areas include electrically
conductive asphalt for heated runways at airports and roadway
bridges.
With its low specific gravity, refractoriness, and corrosion
resistance, graphite is critical for many industrial applications,
such as dies for continuous casting, rocket nozzles, and heat
exchangers for the chemical industry. Relatively poor wear and
oxidation resistance of graphite, however, limit its use. A class
of high-performance materials based on titanium carbide-coated
graphite makes the material suitable for some of the most
demanding applications (Webb, 2000). Because titanium
carbide is one of the hardest and most durable materials, the
resulting components are extremely resistant to wear, corrosion,
and elevated temperatures. These composites can be engineered
to fit many industrial uses through control of the coating
composition, thickness, microstructure, and surface finish. In
metal melting applications titanium carbide coatings have been
shown to improve the service life of the graphite components by
as much as fivefold.
Advanced refining technology in the next few years, despite a
weak refractory market and pricing pressure from Chinese
material, could bring a reversal of fortune to the graphite
industry.
Enigmatic clusters of carbon atoms, called fullerenes, which
are found as large carbon-cage molecules, have been puzzling
scientists since 1985 when they were first discovered among the
byproducts of laser-vaporized graphite (Pierson, 1993). Their
hollow spherical structure, reminiscent of geodesic domes of
architect Buckminster Fuller, earned them the names
buckyballs and fullerenes. Mistakenly called a new form of
carbon, fullerenes have been found to exist in interstellar dust as
well as in geological formations on Earth. Fullerenes are
fascinating because they exhibit unusual properties for carbon
materials. For example, adding 3 alkali atoms per fullerene unit
(C60) results in a material that exhibits superconductivity at quite
high temperatures (10o K to 40o K). These materials also exhibit
lubricity superior to that of graphite. To date, no product based
on fullerenes has been offered in the market. The full potential
GRAPHITE2000

of fullerenes in practical applications remains to be explored.

Outlook
The main areas of natural graphite consumption in the near
future will be in high temperature applications for the iron and
steel industry as the industry modernizes its production
facilities. Brake linings and other friction materials will
steadily consume more natural graphite as new automobile
production continues to increase and more replacement parts
are required for the growing number of vehicles. Flexible
graphite product lines, such as grafoil (a thin graphite cloth),
will probably be the fastest growing market but will consume
small amounts of natural graphite compared with major enduse markets.
The advent of hybrid and electric vehicles is expected to
bring increased demand for high-purity graphite in fuel cell and
battery applications. One optimistic prediction is that the
demand for high quality, high carbon graphite could increase to
more than 100,000 metric tons per year (t/yr) for fuel cell and
battery applications alone (Crossley, 2000). The global
demand for graphite used in batteries may double to more than
25,000 t/yr in the next 5 years. This demand is expected to be
spread between the two main consuming sectors-alkaline
batteries and lithium-ion batteries. Synthetic and natural
graphite are both used in these batteries.
In alkaline batteries, graphite is the conductive material in
the cathode. Until recently, synthetic graphite was dominantly
used in these batteries. But with the advent of new purification
techniques and more efficient processing methods, it has
become possible to improve the conductivity of most natural
graphite to the point where it can be used in batteries. The
decision whether to use synthetic or natural graphite will be a
balancing act between price and performance. The growth of
the lithium-ion battery market could have a more dramatic
effect on the graphite market as the demand rises for mobile
energy storage systems.
Fuel cells convert hydrogen into electricity by an
electrochemical reaction. The hydrogen molecules break down
into protons and electrons at the cells anode. Protons are then
conducted through the electrode and the electrons travel
through an external circuit and generate electricity. Graphite,
as cathode material, forms a crucial part of fuel cell technology.
Some predictions show that consumption of graphite in fuel
cell electrodes could reach 80,000 t/yr in just 2 to 3 years.
Canada, Germany, Japan, and the United States are
aggressively promoting fuel cell development. The cost of fuel
cells, however, is still too high for commercial vehicles. The
price per unit needs to drop to about $1,500 before they will be
viable. Daimler-Chrysler Corporation has pledged to have a
commercially viable fuel cell vehicle by 2004, and trials for
fuel cell buses, taxis, and bicycles have already begun.
In the event of any price increases, China may increase its
production to take advantage of potentially increased profits,
leading to a sharp price decline in certain grades and possibly
to a production stoppage in other countries. If the Chinese iron
and steel industry, however, expands its consumption of natural
graphite, Chinese exports may eventually decline, encouraging
new producers to enter the market (Roskill Information
35.3

Services Ltd., 1998).

Industry trends that appear to be common to advances in
graphite technology and markets include higher purity and
consistency in specifications for some specialized and high-tech
applications. Production of higher purity graphite using thermal
processing and acid leaching techniques continues to be the
trend. This material has applications as advanced
carbon-graphite composites.
References Cited
Crossley, Peter, 1999, GraphiteHigh-tech supply sharpens up: Industrial
Minerals, no. 386, Nov 1999, p. 31-47.
Hand, G.P., 1997, Outlook for graphite and graphite technology: Mining
Engineering, v. 49, no. 2, February, p. 34-36.
Kenan, W.M., 1984, Economics of graphite. Society of Mining Engineers.
American Institute of Mining, Metallurgical, and Petroleum Engineers
preprint no. 84-300, 3 p.
Pierson, H.O., 1993, Handbook of carbon, graphite, diamond, and
fullerenesProperties, processing, and applications: New York, Noyes Data,
405 p.
Roskill Information Services Ltd., 1998, The economics of natural graphite, 5th

35.4

ed.: Roskill Information Services Ltd., London, 130 p.

Webb, Robert, 2000, TiC-coated graphite designed with properties tailored to
various applications: Industrial Heating, v. 6, no. 5, p. 47-48.

GENERAL SOURCES OF INFORMATION

U.S. Geological Survey Publications
Graphite. Ch. in Mineral Commodity Summaries, annual.
Graphite. Ch. In United States Mineral Resources,
Professional Paper 820, 1973.
Natural Graphite. International Strategic Minerals Inventory
Summary Report, Circular 930-H, 1988.
Other
Chemical Week.
European Chemical News.
Industrial Minerals (London).

U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY MINERALS YEARBOOK2000

TABLE 1
SALIENT NATURAL GRAPHITE STATISTICS 1/
1996
United States:
Apparent consumption 2/
metric tons
27,400
Exports
do.
26,000
Value
thousands
$14,600
Imports for consumption
metric tons
53,400
Value
thousands
$28,600
World production
metric tons
555,000 r/
e/ Estimated. r/ Revised.
1/ Data are rounded to no more than three significant digits.
2/ Domestic production plus imports minus exports.

1997

1998

1999

2000

18,400
39,700
$20,500
58,100
$32,400
685,000 r/

33,600
28,000
$14,100
61,600
$34,800
646,000 r/

26,400
29,400
$15,200
55,800
$34,700
600,000 r/

39,000
21,800
$12,500
60,800
$32,500
602,000 e/

TABLE 2
U.S. GOVERNMENT STOCKPILE YEAREND STOCKS OF
NATURAL GRAPHITE IN 2000, BY TYPE 1/ 2/
(Metric tons)
Type
Madagascar crystalline flake
Sri Lanka amorphous lump
Nonstockpile-grade, all types
1/ Graphite no longer has a goal.
2/ Data are rounded to no more than three significant digits.

Stock
3,870
4,810
49

Source: Defense National Stockpile Center, Inventory of Stockpile

Material as of December 31, 2000.

TABLE 3
U.S. CONSUMPTION OF NATURAL GRAPHITE, BY END USE 1/
Crystalline
Quantity
Value
(metric tons)
(thousands)

Amorphous 2/
Quantity
Value
(metric tons)
(thousands)

Total
Quantity
Value
(metric tons)
(thousands)

End use
1999:
Batteries
W
W
--W
W
Brake linings r/
1,090
$1,290
5,280
$4,540
6,380
$5,830
Carbon products 3/
425
1,310
318
268
743
1,570
Crucibles, retorts, stoppers, sleeves, nozzles
W
711
W
W
W
W
Foundries 4/
W
494
1,780
825
W
1,320
Lubricants 5/
328
580
1,190 r/
911 r/
1,510
1,490
Pencils
W
W
W
W
W
W
Powdered metals
435 r/
1,000 r/
W
W
W
W
Refractories
W
W
5,580
3,670
W
W
Rubber
W
844
W
367
W
1,210
Steelmaking
W
W
W
W
W
W
Other 6/
W
W
788
510
W
W
Total
17,300
18,800
17,300
12,200 r/
34,600
31,000
2000:
Batteries
W
W
--W
W
Brake linings
1,100
1,340
5,480
4,010
6,580
5,350
Carbon products 3/
471
1,390
W
210
W
1,600
Crucibles, retorts, stoppers, sleeves, nozzles
W
W
W
W
W
W
Foundries 4/
W
584
W
W
W
W
Lubricants 5/
389
649
1,180
883
1,570
1,530
Pencils
W
W
W
W
W
W
Powdered metals
437
1,010
W
W
W
W
Refractories
5,310
W
5,360
3,590
10,700
W
Rubber
W
W
W
W
W
W
Steelmaking
28
18
W
W
W
W
Other 6/
W
W
812
541
W
W
Total
17,900
19,400
23,900
18,500
41,800
38,000
r/ Revised. W Withheld to avoid disclosing company proprietary data; included in "Total." -- Zero.
1/ Data are rounded to no more than three significant digits.
2/ Includes mixtures of natural and manufactured graphite.
3/ Includes bearings and carbon brushes.
4/ Includes foundries (other) and foundry facings.
5/ Includes ammunition and packings.
6/ Includes antiknock and other compounds, drilling mud, electrical/electronic devices, industrial diamonds, magnetic tape, mechanical products, paints and
polishes, small packages, soldering/welding, and other end-use categories.

TABLE 4
U.S. PRODUCTION OF SYNTHETIC GRAPHITE, BY END USE 1/
Quantity
(metric tons)

End use

Value
(thousands)

1999:
Anodes
W
W
Cloth and fibers (low modulus)
W
$82,500 r/
Electric motor brushes and machined shapes
5,380
32,400
Electrodes
172,000
535,000
High-modulus fibers
2,450
54,400
Unmachined graphite shapes
4,870 r/
44,600 r/
Synthetic graphite powder and scrap 2/
W
W
Other
W
W
Total
267,000
823,000 r/
2000:
Anodes
W
W
Cloth and fibers (low modulus)
W
90,700
Electric motor brushes and machined shapes
W
22,300
Electrodes
188,000
471,000
High-modulus fibers
W
W
Unmachined graphite shapes
5,980
57,300
Synthetic graphite powder and scrap 2/
84,500
46,700
Other
W
W
Total
290,000
771,000
r/ Revised. W Withheld to avoid disclosing company proprietary data; included in "Total."
1/ Data are rounded to no more than three significant digits.
2/ Includes lubricants (alone/in greases), steelmaking carbon raisers, additives in metallurgy,
and other powder data.

TABLE 5
REPRESENTATIVE YEAREND GRAPHITE PRICES 1/
(Per metric ton)
Type
1999
2000
Crystalline large flake, 94% carbon
$570-$750
$570-$750
Crystalline large flake, 90% carbon
480-550
480-550
Crystalline medium flake, 90% carbon
370-410
370-410
Crystalline small flake, 80% to 95% carbon
270-500
270-500
Amorphous powder, 80% to 85% carbon
220-235
220-235
Synthetic, 99.95% carbon, Swiss border
2,290
1,940
1/ Prices are normally cost, insurance, and freight (c.i.f.) main European port.
Source: Industrial Minerals, no. 387, December 1999, p. 70; no. 399, December 2000,
p. 74.

TABLE 6
U.S. EXPORTS OF NATURAL AND ARTIFICIAL GRAPHITE, BY COUNTRY 1/ 2/
Natural 3/
Quantity
Value 5/
(metric tons) (thousands)

Artificial 4/
Quantity
Value 5/
(metric tons) (thousands)

Quantity
(metric tons)

Total
Value 5/
(thousands)

Country
1999:
Australia
267
$342
1,670
$1,620
1,940
$1,960
Bangladesh
6,240
2,160
--6,240
2,160
Belgium
60
23
1,270
962
1,330
985
Brazil
38
13
1,580
2,110
1,620
2,120
Canada
5,410
3,570
8,290
12,800
13,700
16,300
France
4
16
3,740
5,590
3,750
5,600
Germany
207
128
1,110
1,410
1,320
1,540
Hong Kong
1,200
557
236
274
1,430
831
Italy
68
69
3,920
3,790
3,990
3,860
Japan
328
240
15,600
8,190
16,000
8,430
Korea, Republic of
238
202
8,470
4,870
8,710
5,080
Malaysia
231
135
908
2,140
1,140
2,270
Mexico
8,090
3,130
3,220
2,310
11,300
5,440
Netherlands
2,270
889
10,400
4,070
12,700
4,960
Sweden
54
39
1,390
1,900
1,440
1,940
Switzerland
1,200
521
47
146
1,250
667
Taiwan
674
414
1,080
1,390
1,760
1,800
United Kingdom
299
227
3,070
2,750
3,370
2,980
Venezuela
1,490
1,750
711
983
2,200
2,730
Other r/ 6/
1,010
794
5,770
10,400
6,780
11,200
Total
29,400
15,200
72,600 r/
67,600
102,000
82,800
2000:
Aruba
1,020
347
--1,020
347
Australia
187
207
1,340
2,300
1,530
2,510
Belgium
144
72
1,140
1,390
1,280
1,460
Brazil
40
20
1,310
2,900
1,350
2,920
Canada
4,750
4,550
7,940
13,600
12,700
18,100
France
19
62
2,450
10,400
2,470
10,500
Germany
78
129
1,620
2,260
1,690
2,390
Hong Kong
1,270
658
567
448
1,840
1,110
Israel
710
252
874
1,250
1,580
1,500
Italy
180
256
1,510
3,310
1,690
3,560
Japan
64
113
17,100
9,710
17,200
9,830
Korea, Republic of
360
226
5,370
5,130
5,740
5,350
Mexico
2,370
1,200
4,370
5,520
6,740
6,720
Netherlands
4,170
1,430
17,000
7,500
21,100
8,930
Spain
247
202
779
998
1,030
1,200
Switzerland
2,920
614
100
205
3,020
819
Taiwan
1,130
777
336
470
1,470
1,250
United Kingdom
482
400
3,270
4,720
3,750
5,120
Other 6/
1,710
1,020
5,250
11,900
6,950
12,900
Total
21,800
12,500
72,300
84,000
94,100
96,500
r/ Revised. -- Zero.
1/ Data are rounded to no more than three significant digits; may not add to totals shown.
2/ Numerous countries for which data were reported have been combined within the "Other" category under the "Country" list.
3/ Amorphous, crystalline flake, lump and chip, and natural, not elsewhere classified. The applicable Harmonized Tariff
Schedule (HTS) nomenclature titles and codes are: "Natural graphite in powder or in flakes" and "Other," HTS codes
2504.10.0000 and 2504.90.0000.
4/ Includes data from the applicable HTS nomenclatures: "Artificial graphite" and "Colloidal or semicolloidal graphite," HTS
codes 3801.10.0000 and 3801.20.0000.
5/ Values are free alongside ship (f.a.s.).
6/ Includes data for countries reflecting less than 1,000 metric tons of total exports from the United States.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau.

TABLE 7
U.S. IMPORTS FOR CONSUMPTION OF NATURAL GRAPHITE, BY COUNTRY 1/ 2/
Crystalline flake
and flake dust
Quantity Value 3/
(metric
(thoutons)
sands)

Lump and
chippy dust
Quantity Value 3/
(metric
(thoutons)
sands)

Other natural crude,

high-purity, expandable
Quantity
Value 3/
(metric
(thoutons)
sands)

Amorphous
Quantity Value 3/
(metric
(thoutons)
sands)

Total
Quantity Value 3/
(metric
(thoutons)
sands)

Country or territory
1999:
Brazil
38
$46
--4,710
$9,440
--4,750
$9,490
Canada
12,600
7,510
--1
26
--12,600
7,540
China
8,180
3,360
--9,720
5,180
741
$170
18,600
8,710
Germany
----182
519
--182
519
India
24
25
------24
25
Japan
21
12
--384
2,120
491
28
896
2,160
Madagascar
2,570
1,370
------2,570
1,370
Mexico
----570
264
12,500
1,820
13,100
2,080
Mozambique
1,190
1,050
------1,190
1,050
Sri Lanka
--418
$530
----418
530
Zimbabwe
200
81
------200
81
Other 4/
815
552
--207
581
216
53
1,240
1,190
Total
25,600
14,000
418
530
15,800
18,100
14,000
2,070
55,800
34,700
2000:
Brazil
675
808
--1,050
2,020
324
73
2,040
2,900
Canada
14,300
8,540
--18
60
--14,300
8,600
China
6,570
4,440
--10,100
4,330
2,250
327
19,000
9,100
Germany
7
7
--83
210
--90
217
India
150
137
------150
137
Japan
9
12
--454
4,130
4,600
358
5,060
4,500
Madagascar
3,690
1,780
----349
101
4,040
1,880
Mexico
----415
202
13,900
1,900
14,300
2,100
Mozambique
196
111
------196
111
Sri Lanka
--265
330
----265
330
Zimbabwe
180
95
------180
95
Other 4/
486
172
--821
2,340
--1,310
2,510
Total
26,200
16,100
265
330
13,000
13,300
21,400
2,760
60,800
32,500
-- Zero.
1/ Data are rounded to no more than three significant digits; may not add to totals shown.
2/ The information framework from which data for this material were derived originated from Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) base data.
3/ Customs values.
4/ Includes Austria (2000), Belgium (2000), Dominican Republic (1999), Finland (2000), France, Hong Kong, Indonesia (2000), Italy, the Marshall Islands (2000),
the Netherlands, Russia (2000), Seychelles (2000), South Africa, Sweden (1999), Switzerland (2000), Taiwan (2000), Ukraine (1999), and the United Kingdom.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, adjusted by the U.S. Geological Survey.

TABLE 8
U.S. IMPORTS FOR CONSUMPTION
OF GRAPHITE ELECTRODES, BY COUNTRY 1/ 2/

Country

Quantity
(metric tons)

Value 3/
(thousands)

1999:
Brazil
4,890
$11,700
Canada
9,010
22,300
China
1,980
3,490
Germany
3,360
9,450
India
3,480
7,130
Italy
6,700
13,500
Japan
8,730
25,900
Mexico
17,500
28,300
Russia
3,630
4,930
Switzerland
1,680
3,860
Other 4/
1,910
4,490
Total
62,800
135,000
2000:
Brazil
6,480
13,500
Canada
6,000
15,900
China
2,990
5,070
Germany
4,110
9,970
India
2,700
5,880
Italy
4,380
7,830
Japan
11,100
30,500
Mexico
17,300
29,200
Russia
3,350
4,620
Other 4/
2,450
5,370
Total
60,900
128,000
1/ Data are rounded to no more than three significant digits; may not add to
totals shown.
2/ The applicable Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) code and nomenclature
title are HTS 8545.11.0000, "Electric Furnace Electrodes."
3/ Customs values.
4/ Includes data for countries reflecting less than 1,000 metric tons per year
for imports.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau.

TABLE 9
GRAPHITE: WORLD PRODUCTION, BY COUNTRY 1/ 2/
(Metric tons)
Country
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000 e/
Austria e/
12,000
12,000
12,000
12,000
12,000
Brazil (marketable)
31,254
40,587
61,369
56,200 r/
56,000
Canada e/ 3/
25,000
25,000
25,000
25,000
25,000
China e/
185,000
310,000
224,000 r/
217,000 r/
220,000
Czech Republic e/
30,000
25,000
28,000
22,000 r/
25,000
Germany (marketable)
2,603
1,030
1,000 e/
1,000 e/
1,000
India (run-of-mine) 4/
115,233
102,143
143,333
145,000 e/
140,000
Korea, North e/
40,000
40,000
35,000
25,000
25,000
Korea, Republic of
1,113
83
62
62 r/
60
Madagascar 5/
12,134
13,975
13,087 r/
13,000 r/ e/
13,000
Mexico:
Amorphous
38,967
46,707
42,893
27,781 r/
30,330 p/
Crystalline flake
1,445
1,275
568
-- r/
-Mozambique
3,283
5,125
5,889
2,100 r/ e/
-Norway e/
2,600 r/
2,600
2,600 r/
2,500
2,500
Romania
2,931
2,563
1,951 r/
1,041 r/
1,500
Russia e/
6,000
6,000
6,000
6,000
6,000
Sri Lanka
5,618
5,400 r/
5,910 r/
4,592 r/
4,600
Sweden
463
1,470
3,011
4,500
5,000
Tanzania e/
6,776 6/ 7/
11,000
-- 8/
--Turkey (run-of-mine) e/ 9/
20,000
15,000
15,000
15,000
15,000
Ukraine
5,000 r/ e/
5,000 r/ e/
5,104 r/
7,461 r/
7,500
Uzbekistan e/
60
60
60
60
60
Zimbabwe
7,691
12,779
13,806
12,321 r/
12,000
Total
555,000 r/
685,000 r/
646,000 r/
600,000 r/
602,000
e/ Estimated. p/ Preliminary. r/ Revised. -- Zero.
1/ World totals and estimated data are rounded to no more than three significant digits; may not add to totals shown.
2/ Table includes data available through May 11, 2001.
3/ Source: World Mineral Statistics, British Geological Survey, 1995-99.
4/ Does not include the following quantities sold directly without beneficiation, in metric tons: 1996--4,134; 1997--9,397;
1998--10,747; 1999--10,700 (estimated); and 2000--10,500 (estimated).
5/ Indian marketable production is 10% to 20% of run-of-mine production.
6/ Reported figure.
7/ Exports. Source: United Nations, Department of International Economic and Social Affairs, Statistical Office.
8/ Graphtan Limited Mine closed. Only remaining stocks shipped in January-February 1998.
9/ Turkish marketable production averages approximately 5% of run-of-mine production. Almost all is for domestic consumption.