Graphite has been dubbed by many as one of the most promising minerals in the near future and its abundance in Africa makes it a great opportunity for decades to come.
A Mineral of extremes
Graphite is a form of carbon with a unique structure that makes it a valuable material in various industries. It is made up of tightly packed layers of carbon atoms arranged in a hexagonal lattice pattern. These layers are very loosely held together, which allows them to easily slide over one another, giving graphite its characteristic greasy feel.
Graphite is known for its excellent electrical conductivity, thermal conductivity, and lubricating properties, which make it an important material in many applications. For example, graphite is commonly used as a lubricant in machinery and as an electrode material in batteries and fuel cells. Graphite is also used in the manufacturing of refractory materials, which are materials that can withstand high temperatures and are often used in industrial furnaces.
In summary, graphite is a versatile material with a range of important applications in various industries. Its unique structure and properties make it a valuable material for lubrication, electrical and thermal conductivity, and the production of advanced materials such as graphene.
Also read: Preparations for the biggest African mining event in North America underway during the Mining Indaba
China is the top consumer of Graphite
According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the top graphite-consuming country in the world is China.
China is by far the largest consumer of graphite, accounting for over 60% of global consumption. The United States and India are the next largest consumers, each accounting for around 4-5% of global consumption. Other major consumers include Japan, South Korea, and Germany. These countries all have significant demand for graphite due to their advanced manufacturing sectors and the use of graphite in products such as batteries, refractories, and lubricants.
Some of the top graphite reserves are in Africa
- Madagascar: Madagascar is home to the world’s largest graphite deposit, located in the northeastern region of the country. The deposit is estimated to contain over 100 million tonnes of graphite.
- Mozambique: Mozambique has several graphite deposits, with the largest located in the Cabo Delgado province in the north of the country. The deposit is estimated to contain over 20 million tonnes of graphite.
- Tanzania: Tanzania has several graphite deposits, with the largest located in the Mahenge region in the southeastern part of the country. The deposit is estimated to contain over 59 million tonnes of graphite.
- Namibia: Namibia has several graphite deposits, with the largest located in the Omatjete region in the northwestern part of the country. The deposit is estimated to contain over 3 million tonnes of graphite.
- South Africa: South Africa has several graphite deposits, with the largest located in the Bushveld complex in the northeastern part of the country. The deposit is estimated to contain over 10 million tonnes of graphite.
These countries are among the top graphite producers in Africa and the world, with significant potential for further development of their graphite reserves.
Also read: South Africa reports safest year in mining
The miracle of Graphene
Graphite is also used in the production of graphene, a single layer of graphite that has attracted a lot of attention in recent years due to its unique properties. Graphene is incredibly strong, flexible, and transparent, and has potential applications in fields such as electronics, energy storage, and biomedical engineering.
Graphene is a two-dimensional material consisting of a single layer of carbon atoms arranged in a hexagonal lattice pattern. It is the basic building block of other carbon-based materials, such as graphite and carbon nanotubes. Graphene is incredibly strong, flexible, and lightweight, as well as highly conductive of both electricity and heat.
Graphene was first isolated in 2004 by Andre Geim and Konstantin Novoselov, who were awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 2010 for their work. Since then, graphene has attracted a lot of attention from researchers due to its unique properties and potential applications in various fields, including electronics, energy storage, and biomedical engineering.
Graphene has a number of potential advantages over other materials in these fields. For example, its high electrical conductivity and surface area make it an attractive material for use in electronic devices such as transistors and sensors. Its high mechanical strength and flexibility make it a promising material for use in advanced composites and flexible electronics. And its high surface area and ability to store large amounts of charge make it a promising material for use in batteries and other energy storage devices.
Research on graphene is still in its early stages, but it has already shown significant potential for a wide range of applications. Graphene is a highly interdisciplinary field that involves researchers from materials science, physics, chemistry, and other fields working together to explore its unique properties and potential applications.
