Definition: graphite

An essential material in the manufacture of brake linings, steelmaking, foundry lubricants and pencils. Graphite also provides the material for anodes in rechargeable batteries. The major graphite miner is China, which also provides the bulk of graphite refining for the U.S., South Korea, India and Japan. Brazil is the second largest miner of graphite, producing roughly 8% of China's output, which was more than 800,000 tons in 2021.