Global graphite mine production 2023, by country

China was the leading graphite producing country worldwide in 2023. That year, Chinese mine production of natural graphite amounted to an estimated 1.23 million metric tons. This represented more than 77 percent of the world's graphite production.

Graphite mining worldwide

The total worldwide production of graphite was an estimated 1.6 million metric tons in 2023. Not only is China the world's leading producer of graphite, but also the country with the largest graphite reserves across the globe, at an estimated 78 million metric tons. This was closely followed by Brazil, which held an additional 74 million metric tons worth of graphite reserves. Furthermore, China accounts for the highest share of the graphite imported into the United States, making up some 42 percent of total U.S. graphite shipments between 2019 and 2022.

End-uses of graphite

Graphite is an allotrope of carbon that is comprised of layers of carbon atoms. These layers can slide over each other easily, making it a very soft mineral. It is dull grey in appearance and metallic in luster. Graphite conducts electricity easily because there are electrons between the layers of carbon atoms. Under high pressures and temperatures, graphite turns into diamonds, which is actually how synthetic diamonds are produced. Due to its high conductivity, graphite is used in electrodes, batteries, and solar panels. Some other uses include the lead in pencils and lubricants. Graphite was first used during the Neolithic Age as a paint, but since its discovery in England around the year 1565, the uses of graphite have increased.