Graphite deposits in Ukraine: availability and prospects

Ukraine’s subsoil contains 117 types of minerals, including 22 out of 30 raw materials that have been identified as critical in Europe. 

The list of minerals with unique potential includes graphite, which is why European companies are particularly interested in investing in projects to extract such minerals. 

In particular, during the Raw Materials Week business forum on critical raw materials (CRM), which took place in Brussels on November 14-18, they talked about partnership and cooperation with Ukraine in the field of minerals.

In this article, we will tell you where graphite is mined in Ukraine and where graphite is most commonly used.

Where graphite is mined in Ukraine?

There are four graphite-bearing areas within the Ukrainian crystalline shield: Berdychivskyi, Pobuzkyi, Kryvorizhkyi and Pryazovskyi, where about 100 deposits and occurrences of crystalline graphite* are located, which are classified as metamorphic in genesis and are confined to Archean and Proterozoic rocks.

(*data according to the annual edition of the SE Geoinform of Ukraine for 2021)

Map of graphite ore deposits and prospects in Ukraine, Geological Investment Group LLC

The depth of graphite ores ranges from 10 to 80 m. Graphite-bearing rocks form reservoir and lenticular bodies up to 300 m thick, 500 to 1500 m long, and occasionally up to 3.5 to 5.0 km. Graphite is flaky with a content of 2.5 to 20%, rarely up to 30%. 

The state balance of mineral reserves includes 6 graphite deposits in Ukraine, of which only two are currently being developed: PJSC Zavallivskyi Graphite Plant (South-Eastern section of the Zavallivskyi deposit in Kirovohrad region), UKRAINIAN SUPPLY GROUP LLC (Zarichna section of the Zavallivskyi graphite deposit in Odesa region), POBUZHZHYA’S DEVELOPMENT LLC (Southern section of the Balakhivskyi deposit). In 2021, SPIS Ukraine LLC won the auction for the sale of special permits for the use of subsoil in the Horodnyavska area of the Burtyn graphite deposit.  In addition, there are unlicensed deposits and areas in Ukraine where graphite mining can be started. Ukraine’s estimated reserves of graphite ore amount to about 230 million tons. There is also potential to increase graphite ore reserves, with resources estimated at 100 million tons.

Graphite ore is processed in Ukraine mainly at Zavallivskyi Graphite Plant. The plant produces a range of graphite grades for various industries (crucible, elemental, foundry, electric carbon, battery, pencil, friction metal-ceramic, gunpowder, special low-ash, etc.). The production of foundry, crucible, and elemental graphite prevails. The quality of graphite products produced by Ukrainian enterprises meets international standards and is exported to other countries.

Graphite: features of the mineral and its use.

Graphite is one of the crystalline forms of carbon. In nature, carbon occurs in the form of naturally occurring minerals: graphite, diamond, and lonsdaleite. Graphite has unique physical and chemical properties of two classes of chemical elements and substances at once: metals and nonmetals. Metallic properties include high thermal and electrical conductivity and plasticity. Graphite’s non-metallic properties include its inertness to most chemicals (strong acids, bases, solvents, and fluxes), high heat resistance, low thermal expansion, and perfect adhesion and fat content. In a non-oxidizing environment, graphite remains stable up to temperatures of 3000 °C. Graphite has a hardness of 1-2 on the Mohs scale, so it is soft. Graphite is also hydrophobic and has a high ability to form thin films on hard surfaces. 

Due to its properties, graphite is used in the following areas of activity:

Fire-resistant materials. Due to its high temperature resistance (in an oxygen-free environment) and chemical resistance to a range of molten metals, graphite is used to make melting crucibles and lining plates.

Batteries. Natural and synthetic graphite is used as an anode material for the manufacture of electrodes in batteries. This is due to its high electrical conductivity and chemical resistance to virtually any aggressive aqueous solution (much higher than that of noble metals).

Foundry coating and lubrication material. Injection mold coating is a water-based paint of amorphous or fine flake graphite. If the inside of the mold is painted and allowed to dry, a thin graphite layer will form, making it easier to separate the molded object after the hot metal has cooled. Graphite greases are used in environments with high and low temperatures: when lubricating dies in forging, anti-seize greases, and gear lubricants for mining equipment.

Other uses.

1. Neutron moderator in nuclear reactors (nuclear graphite).
2. Component for the manufacture of cores for black graphite pencils (mixed with kaolin).
3. For the production of synthetic diamonds.
4. As an additive in steel production.
5. To produce reactive metals by electrolysis of molten compounds. In particular, two properties of graphite are used to produce aluminum:

• good electrical conductivity and, as a result, its suitability for electrode manufacturing,
• the gaseous nature of the reaction product at the electrode, which is carbon dioxide. The gaseous nature of the product means that it leaves the electrolyzer on its own and does not require special measures to remove it from the reaction zone. This property greatly facilitates the aluminum production process.

1. Used to make electric motor brushes.
2. In mechanical engineering, graphite is used as a material for equipment (bearings, piston rings).
3. Graphite is also used to protect concrete, steel, wood, aluminum, and cast iron products.
4. Natural amorphous and finely dispersed flake graphite is used in brake linings or brake pads for trucks.

Environmental problems of graphite: what should you know?

Graphite is a chemically inert and non-toxic element, and due to these properties, it does not pose a direct threat to the environment. Nevertheless, graphite mining and enrichment can still pose environmental problems. We are talking about mining waste and dust generation. However, this impact can be minimized with proper environmental protection measures and a proper mine development project.

Graphite reserves in the world.

Global production and demand for graphite are expected to grow in the coming years, driven mainly by the use of graphite for electric vehicle batteries. In 2020, global graphite consumption reached 2.7 million tons. Synthetic graphite accounts for about two-thirds of graphite consumption, which is mainly concentrated in Asia.

*Global annual production of natural graphite from 2011 to 2020, Geological Investment Group LLC.

In 2020, global natural graphite production amounted to 1,040,000 tons, down 5% year-on-year. China is the world’s leading producer, accounting for 62% of production in 2020. Ukraine, in turn, produced 5.2 thousand tons of graphite in 2020, accounting for 0.5% of global production.

*Dynamics of natural graphite production in Ukraine for 2011-2020, thousand tons (Information from the reference book “Mineral Resources of Ukraine 2021”). Geological Investment Group LLC

Ukraine’s prospects on the global market.

Thus, analyzing the situation with the reserves of graphite, a mineral raw material, we can say that Ukraine has significant potential to become one of the leaders in the production of critical raw materials and an EU partner that will not only supply raw materials to Europe but will also be able to create a value-added product.

Ukraine is developing one of the largest graphite deposits, the Zavallivske deposit. It is also considered one of the largest in Europe. According to official data, as of 2020, Ukraine produced 5.2 thousand tons of graphite (this figure is 0.5% of the total global production of natural graphite). However, Ukraine’s recorded graphite reserves are much higher – about 13.7 million tons. In view of this, Ukraine has the potential to increase graphite production many times over, which, in turn, will allow it to increase exports of graphite raw materials and attract investments to Ukraine.

Main photo: Graphite shale from the Zavallivske deposit, which is kept in the Yevhen Lazarenko Mineralogical Museum, Lviv