Graphite is a natural form of carbon that occurs in metamorphic rocks. It is an excellent conductor of heat and electricity. While China produces 80% of the world's natural graphite, demand is growing due to applications in lithium-ion batteries, fuel cells, and other technologies. This creates supply risks as China also controls much of the exports. Turkey has many graphite occurrences, mainly of the amorphous type, but also contains deposits that are more crystalline and pure. Production in Turkey was over 18,000 tonnes in 1990 but has declined since, though demand remains high. Low-cost graphite projects and further development in Turkey may help address future supply needs.

1. GRAPHITE
Sait UYSAL
Mining Professional
Turkey
www.saituysal.com.tr

2. What is Graphite?
• Graphite is a natural form of carbon with the
chemical formula C and is characterized by its
hexagonal crystalline structure. It occurs naturally in
metamorphic rocks such as marble, schist and gneiss
2

3. Graphite at A Glance
 The mineral graphite is one of the allotropes, and pure form of carbon.
 Allotropes of carbon are;
- Graphite
- Diamond
- Coal
 Graphite is;
- Excellent HEAT conductor
- Excellent ELECTRICITY conductor
- Heat resistant (Melting Point 3927 C°)
- Chemical and Corrosion resistant
- Resistant to acids and oxidising agents
- Lubricating

4. Types of Graphite

5. Applications By Graphite Type

6. Natural Graphite Consumption

7. Why Graphite is;
Hot
Critical
Strategic?

8. 1. Supply Side Problem
• China Producing 80% of world
natural graphite
• China has a 20% export duty
and 17% VAT on graphite,
• Factories is closed in Hunan
Province, creating a
government-sponsored
monopoly on amorphous
graphite resources
• Other Countries: Brazil, North Korea, Canada,
Norway, Mexico, Ukraine, Sri Lanka, Madagascar

9. Chinese portion in total graphite export
86,00%
84,00%
82,00%
80,00%
Chinese portion in total graphite export
78,00%
76,00%
74,00%
72,00%
2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

11. 2. High Price

15. 3. Raw Material Security – Critical Materials

16. • EU is up to 95% dependent on
imports, mainly from China
• recycling is very limited

17. BGS Industrial Minerals Risk List 2012

18. 4. Growing Demand and Technology
• 3-5% Annual growth rate of Traditional demand
• Discovery of Graphene
• Lithium-ion batteries&Fuel cells –EV, E-Bike, HEV
• Nuclear technology – Pebble Bed Reactors
• Plastics and composite frames (Boeing Co.'s new
Dreamliner)
• Solar Energy
• Industrialization and Urbanization of China, India and
emerging economies

19. Li-ion Batteries – Fuel Cells
• The growth of electric cars, bikes and scooters, all
rely on Li-ion batteries and fuel cells
• 10 times more graphite than Li (by weight) to make Li
ion batteries
• In an electric car battery 1.8 kg graphite /per kilowatt
hour (KWh) needed. For an EV 30-50 Kg natural
graphite is used for battery

21. Source:Byron Capital

22. Risks ???
• Price Risks; What if China increase production? Prices is Today prices
if you have a product to sell today you can benefit it
• Graphene; 5 to 10 year needed for commercial production
• Projects; in the Pipeline are Flake Graphite, Amorphous Graphite???
• Demand; current demand coming from traditional uses, demand of
new technologies could be over estimated
• Sensitive Projects; Not all of the projects will end up becoming
mines, High production costs, high grade aimed.
Environmental problems of high grade production. 70% loss
of high grade processes, equity sharing projects

23. Risks ???
• EV – Li-ion Batteries; Expensive, not user friendly, it needs time
EV markets are; Japan, USA, EU – Developed countries. Recycling could be
possible

24. Graphite in Turkey
• Majority of the graphite occurrences in Turkey is
mainly “amorphous” type.
• A graphite occurrence around Balikesir city (West
part of Turkey) has bigger crystalline structure. Most
promising, most graphitized and high Carbon
contented graphite mineralization explored in
Balikesir, Yozgat, Konya, Kastamonu and Adıyaman
cities.
• Occurrences in other places like Kutahya, Mugla,
Bandirma is mostly semi graphite

25. Graphite Mineralizations Map of Turkey

26. Production in Turkey 1985-1999
Production Consumption
Year (tonnes) (tonnes)
1985 - 4.100,00
1986 3.586,00 4.000,00 Production (tonnes) -
1987 8.900,00 3.400,00 30.000,00
1988 12.911,00 13.000,00
25.000,00
1989 11.000,00 12.000,00
1990 18.712,00 18.712,00 20.000,00
1991 26.763,00 26.763,00 15.000,00 Production
1994 5.000,00 25.000* (tonnes) -
10.000,00
1995 5.000,00 25.000*
1996 5.000,00 25.000* 5.000,00
1997 5.000,00 25.000* 0,00
1990
1998
1985
1986
1987
1988
1989
1991
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998 5.000,00 25.000*
1999 5.000,00 25.000*
Source: Turkey State Planning Institute, 8th Quinquennially
Development Plan, 2001
* = Rounded roughly
www.saituysal.com.tr
March 2012

27. Production in Turkey 2003-2009
Year
Production Production (tonnes)
(tonnes)
2003 0,00 3.500,00
3.000,00
2004 28,00
2.500,00
2005 0,00 2.000,00
2006 0,00 1.500,00 Production
(tonnes)
2007 1.000,00
0,00
500,00
2008 3.236,00 0,00
2009 2.400,00
Source: http://www.migem.gov.tr/links/istatistikler/2003_2009_URETIM_%20BILGILERI.mht
Migem = Turkish Republic Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources - General Directorate of Mining Affairs
www.saituysal.com.tr
March 2012

28. Conclusion
• Graphite demand will increase even there could be some
price fluctuations
• Whichever company moves ahead the quickest will do
the best
• New applications and technology will drive the demand
but will take time
• Low cost projects are important
• Turkey has undiscovered, undeveloped potential and low
cost production opportunites, and European market is
next to it

29. THANK YOU
QUESTIONS?