ZHU Wen-xia, KANG Jian-hua*, ZHANG Dan-xian

(1. School of Minerals Processing and Bioengineering, Central South University, Changsha 410083, China;
2. Key Laboratory of Hunan Province for Clean and Efficient Utilization of Strategic Calcium-containing Mineral Resources, Central South University, Changsha 410083, China)

Abstract: As a kind of strategic non-metallic mineral resource, the graphite, which is widely used in metallurgy, iron and steel industry, chemical industry, aerospace and aviation industry, and other fields, has important economic value and strategic position. The distribution characteristics and current situation of supply and demand of graphite resources have been briefly elaborated in this study. As well, the latest progresses of researches on the geological and metallogenic regularity, mineralogical properties and flotation technology of graphite resources have been especially summarized, and the development trend of graphite exploitation and utilization has been pointed out. The researches show that China is rich in the graphite resource which ranks in the top part of the world for a long time. However, the processing technology of graphite ore is relatively backward, the utilization rate of high-quality flake graphite is not high enough, and there is a serious problem of " import of high quality graphite and export of low quality graphite" in the international trade. Regional metamorphic graphite deposits are the main type of graphite deposits in China. The deeper the metamorphism of the ore-bearing rock series, the higher the order of the graphite crystal structure, the more complete the crystal shape, and the higher the economic value. Therefore, the flake structure of graphite should be protected as far as possible in the flotation process. With the rapid development of new emerging industries using graphite as raw materials, the demand for high-quality graphite is increasing. To intensify graphite resource exploration efforts, actively adjust the relevant industrial structure, and further improve the processing technology of graphite resources are of great significance for promoting the sustainable development of China's graphite industry.

Keywords: graphite; metallogenic regularity; mineralogical properties; flotation process; development trend

ACTA MINERALOGICA SINICA Vol.43, No. 3, 2023, Page 397