|
• Graphite, often referred to as the “highest grade of coal” is an allotrope of carbon. Unlike coal, graphite is a mineral that conducts electricity and heat, is self-lubricating and has a melting point of over 3,600 degrees Celsius. These characteristics allow graphite to have a range of specialised and growing applications due to the mineral’s unique properties.
• Natural graphite supply looks uncertain with 73% of natural graphite production coming from China, where there is strong growth in domestic graphite demand. In recent months there has been an outbreak of activ-ity by junior graphite explorers, particularly in Canada, however, there are few graphite projects coming onstream in the near future. Over the longer term a scenario of oversupply looks possible, but only if these various new projects can get funded.
• Demand for natural graphite appears to be growing, especially from China. The steel industry is currently the largest consumer of natural graphite as it is used in steel refractories. China’s steel demand increased by close to 8% in 2011 and is likely to continue to grow in 2012. In addition, China’s nuclear power pro-gramme plans to introduce 30 Pebble Bed Nuclear Reactors by 2020 (totalling 6 gigawatts (GW)) that will require 18,000 to 30,000 tonnes of natural graphite a year, once in production. By 2050, China plans togenerate 300 GW from Pebble Bed Reactors, adding to the future uncertainty of China’s willingness to export graphite. In addition, the increase in green technologies, in particular lithium-ion batteries which use more graphite than lithium, is also positive for graphite demand.
--------------------------------------------------
In this review we analyse the outlook for graphite, and introduce the very large numbers of juniors, many of them Canadian, who have been drawn by the growth potential of this commodity. Demand for graphite continues to grow in line with other steel industry raw materials, but graphite offers other,potentially more exciting, growth stories in Pebble Bed Nuclear Reactors and as electrodes in lithium-ion batteries. Graphite has been cited by both the US and European Authorities as a strategic mineral, as the bulk of supply comesfrom China. In line with other strategic minerals Chinese exports are under pressure as domestic infrastructure is built to transform its industry to become a major supplier of end product, rather than just the commodity. Exploration success is already starting to be reported in Canada, Sweden and Madagascar, so subject to funding, any graphite supply shortfall could be met over time. Nevertheless in the short term, this new hot commodity may still be aninteresting ride. http://www.scribd.com/doc/96059273/38247
|
1 |
... |
35 |
36 |
37 |
|
39 |
40 |
41 |
...
| 74
Thread abonnieren
