In recent years, lithium has been all the rage in the energy industry. However,
there’s a new mineral on the rise that could soon eclipse lithium in popularity—
graphite. The black rock-like mineral has become increasingly sought after due to
its ability to store and transmit energy more efficiently than many other minerals.
Let’s take a closer look at why graphite is poised to do a lithium.
The Driving Force Behind Graphite’s Rise in Popularity
The primary factor driving graphite’s newfound popularity is its use in rechargeable
batteries. Graphite is one of the most efficient materials for storing large amounts
of energy over long periods of time—making it ideal for use in electric vehicle (EV)
batteries. This is especially true when compared to lithium-ion batteries, which tend
to lose their capacity over time. This means that EV owners will be able to rely on
their batteries longer if they are using graphite instead of lithium.
Another benefit of graphite is that it can be used as a replacement for cobalt in EV
batteries, which is important because cobalt is much more expensive than graphite
and also requires far more resources to extract from the ground. Additionally, cobalt
presents certain ethical sourcing issues due to its prevalence in conflict zones and
child labor markets—issues that can be avoided with graphite.
Graphite Mining Is Expected To Increase Dramatically
As demand for graphite increases, so too does the need for mining operations
around the world to increase production levels. Currently, China accounts for about
70% of global production, with India supplying another 20%. However, several
countries are now looking into developing their own mining operations due to
Reference:
“Graphite poised to do a lithium”. Nov. 23, 2022/mining.com
