GRAPHITE
ASSET: ECONOMY
NEWS: Coal India forays into critical mineral mining
in Madhya Pradesh
WHAT’S
IN THE NEWS?
Graphite Asset in Madhya Pradesh
Overview:
·
First Critical Mineral Asset: Graphite block in Alirajpur district, Madhya Pradesh.
·
Owning Advantage: Powers green energy transition for Coal India Ltd
(CIL).
Coal
India Ltd (CIL):
·
Domestic Coal Output: Accounts for over 80%.
·
Graphite Block: Preferred bidder for Khattali Chotti graphite block
(599.76 hectares).
·
Mining Premium: Won bid with 150.05% of mineral dispatch value.
·
Imports: India imports 69% of graphite needs (natural, synthetic, and end-use
products).
Graphite
Market:
·
Usage: Anode material in lithium-ion batteries due to low cost and energy
density.
·
Demand: Projected to increase by 25-27% by FY35 due to electric vehicles and
energy storage systems.
·
Global Mining: Extensively mined in China, India, Brazil, North
Korea, and Canada.
Graphite
Characteristics:
·
Appearance: Opaque, blackish silver, metallic to dull sheen;
known as black lead or plumbago.
·
Formation: Metamorphosis of carbonaceous sediments.
·
Molecular Structure: Hexagonal rings of six carbon atoms in widely spaced
layers.
Properties:
·
Soft,
cleaves easily, low specific gravity.
·
Extremely
heat resistant and nearly inert.
·
Wide
range of industrial uses.
Applications:
·
Industrial
Uses:Pencils, lubricants, crucibles, foundry facings, polishes, arc lamps,
batteries, electric motor brushes, and nuclear reactor cores.
Future
Prospects:
·
Acquisition Targets: Lithium blocks in Chile, Australia, and various
African nations.