Introduction
The rapid development of lithium-ion batteries has driven a global new energy revolution, and natural graphite, as the core raw material for anode materials, plays an indispensable role. In a typical lithium-ion battery, anode materials account for 15-28% of the battery’s weight, with natural graphite quality and supply stability directly impacting battery performance and production costs.
However, global natural graphite resources are extremely unevenly distributed, creating supply chain management challenges for anode material producers. In recent years, factors such as geopolitics, export controls, and the rise of emerging production regions are profoundly reshaping the global graphite supply landscape.
Understanding global graphite reserve distribution is critical for anode material producers when formulating strategies for:
- Diversifying raw material procurement channels
- Site selection and capacity planning for production facilities
- Equipment technology adaptability to graphite from different sources
- Anticipating and preparing contingency plans for supply chain risks
This article, based on authoritative data newly released by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) in January 2025, systematically reviews the resource status, development dynamics, and industry trends of the world’s top 10 natural graphite reserve countries, providing valuable reference information for decision-makers in the anode material industry.
Featured Snippet
Global Natural Graphite Reserves: Top 10 Countries (2025 Latest Data):
- China – 81 million tons (27.9%)
- Brazil – 74 million tons (25.5%)
- Madagascar – 27 million tons (9.3%)
- Mozambique – 25 million tons (8.6%)
- Tanzania – 18 million tons (6.2%)
- Russia – 14 million tons (4.8%)
- Vietnam – 9.7 million tons (3.3%)
- India – 8.6 million tons (3.0%)
- Turkey – 6.9 million tons (2.4%)
- Canada – 5.9 million tons (2.0%)
According to USGS 2025 data, global proven reserves total 290 million tons. The top three countries control 62% of reserves, while emerging African regions (Mozambique, Madagascar, Tanzania) collectively account for 24%, reshaping the global supply landscape. Understanding this resource distribution provides crucial insights for raw material procurement and production line planning in the anode material supply chain.
Global Natural Graphite Reserves: Top 10 Countries Ranked
According to the latest data from the USGS 2025 Mineral Commodity Summaries, here’s a detailed breakdown of the world’s top ten countries by natural graphite reserves:
Complete Rankings at a Glance
Rank | Country | Reserves (tons) | Global Share | 2024 Production (tons) |
1 | China | 81,000,000 | 27.9% | 1,270,000 |
2 | Brazil | 74,000,000 | 25.5% | 68,000 |
3 | Madagascar | 27,000,000 | 9.3% | 89,000 |
4 | Mozambique | 25,000,000 | 8.6% | 75,000 |
5 | Tanzania | 18,000,000 | 6.2% | 25,000 |
6 | Russia | 14,000,000 | 4.8% | 20,000 |
7 | Vietnam | 9,700,000 | 3.3% | 2,000 |
8 | India | 8,600,000 | 3.0% | 27,800 |
9 | Turkey | 6,900,000 | 2.4% | 3,100 |
10 | Canada | 5,900,000 | 2.0% | 20,000 |
Source: USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2025
#1: China — 81,000,000 tons (27.9%)
China dominates with 81 million metric tons of reserves, primarily located in Heilongjiang, Inner Mongolia, and Shandong provinces. In 2024, China produced 1.27 million metric tons, accounting for 78% of global output, with 85% being flake graphite and 15% amorphous graphite. China isn’t just the largest reserve holder—it’s the undisputed leader across the entire graphite supply chain. Notably, China implemented export controls on flake graphite, spherical graphite, and related products starting December 2023, directly impacting global supply chain dynamics. For anode material equipment suppliers, monitoring China’s policy shifts is critical.
#2: Brazil — 74,000,000 tons (25.5%)
Brazil holds 74 million metric tons of reserves, ranking second globally. Reserves are concentrated in Minas Gerais state, renowned for high-quality crystalline graphite. Despite abundant reserves, Brazil’s 2024 production was only 68,000 metric tons, representing less than 1% capacity utilization. According to the report, the Santa Cruz mine commenced production in 2024 with Phase 1 capacity of 12,000 tons per year, potentially expanding to 50,000 tons. Brazil’s vast undeveloped reserves present significant opportunities for supply chain diversification.
#3: Madagascar — 27,000,000 tons (9.3%)
Madagascar’s reserves were revised upward from 24 million tons in 2024 to 27 million tons, vaulting it to third place. The country’s graphite is concentrated in the Ambatondrazaka region, featuring high-quality flake graphite. 2024 production reached 89,000 metric tons, showing substantial growth from 2023. According to Investing News, NextSource Materials’ Molo mine has achieved commercial production, with products primarily exported to the United States and Germany. Madagascar represents one of the fastest-growing graphite regions, making it highly attractive for companies seeking supply chain diversification.
#4: Mozambique — 25,000,000 tons (8.6%)
Mozambique maintains reserves of 25 million metric tons, ranking fourth. The country hosts the world’s largest single high-grade graphite deposit—the Balama project, operated by Australia’s Syrah Resources. Due to market price volatility, 2024 production declined to 75,000 metric tons. Notably, the project secured a $150 million loan from the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation, signaling Western strategic intent to build alternative supply chains.
#5: Tanzania — 18,000,000 tons (6.2%)
Tanzania holds reserves of 18 million metric tons, predominantly crystalline graphite. 2024 production was 25,000 metric tons, doubling from the previous year. According to the report, the Lindi Jumbo mine commenced operations in 2024 with designed annual capacity of 40,000 tons, primarily serving European markets. Tanzania is viewed as a “graphite project hotspot,” with multiple development projects underway and capacity expected to increase significantly over the next five years.
#6: Russia — 14,000,000 tons (4.8%)
Russia has reserves of 14 million metric tons, primarily distributed across Siberia and the Urals region. 2024 production reached 20,000 metric tons, up 33% year-over-year. According to reports, a Russian company is constructing a new mine with planned annual capacity of 40,000 tons of flake graphite concentrate, expected to begin production in late 2024. However, geopolitical factors create uncertainty around international trade of Russian graphite, posing potential risks to global supply chains.
#7: Vietnam — 9,700,000 tons (3.3%)
Vietnam’s reserves were revised upward to 9.7 million metric tons, entering the top ten for the first time. 2024 production was approximately 2,000 metric tons, indicating extremely low capacity utilization and significant development potential. Vietnam’s graphite resources remain in early-stage development, making it a region worth watching for equipment suppliers seeking emerging market opportunities.
#8: India — 8,600,000 tons (3.0%)
India holds reserves of 8.6 million metric tons, primarily cryptocrystalline graphite distributed across Odisha and other states. 2024 production was 27,800 metric tons. As a traditional producer, India maintains a well-established production and processing system. Products serve primarily domestic steel and foundry industries, with some exports. With India’s growing new energy sector, domestic graphite demand is expected to continue rising.
#9: Turkey — 6,900,000 tons (2.4%)
Turkey has reserves of 6.9 million metric tons, with 2024 production at 3,100 metric tons. Turkish graphite deposits offer geographic advantages, positioned close to European markets. In the context of the EU’s push for supply chain localization, Turkey holds certain strategic value.
#10: Canada — 5,900,000 tons (2.0%)
Canada holds reserves of 5.9 million metric tons, primarily in Quebec and Ontario provinces. 2024 production surged to 20,000 metric tons, a 265% increase from the prior year, mainly from the Lac des Îles mine. According to the report, a Canadian mining company received $8.3 million in U.S. Department of Defense funding to develop a natural flake graphite mine. As the only North American country on this list, Canada plays a crucial role in Western supply chain restructuring.
Four Key Characteristics of Global Reserve Distribution
Based on analysis of the latest USGS 2025 data, global natural graphite reserves exhibit four distinct characteristics:
Characteristic 1: High Concentration — The “Big Three” Control 60% of Resources
China, Brazil, and Mozambique collectively hold 180 million tons of reserves, accounting for 62% of the global total. This high concentration means the global graphite supply chain is highly vulnerable to individual country policies, geopolitical tensions, and market volatility. China, in particular, not only leads in reserves but also accounts for 78% of global production, establishing a complete monopoly from resources through processing. For anode material producers, over-reliance on a single supply source poses significant risks.
Characteristic 2: Africa Rising — East Africa Emerges as a New Supply Hub
Mozambique, Madagascar, and Tanzania collectively hold 70 million tons of reserves, representing 24% of the global total. According to a GlobalData analysis report, these three countries have attracted substantial international investment in recent years, with multiple world-class mining projects coming online. Madagascar’s 2024 production increased 41% year-over-year, while Tanzania’s output doubled. The East Africa region, with its abundant high-grade graphite resources and relatively low development costs, is becoming a critical force in breaking China’s monopoly and achieving supply chain diversification.
Characteristic 3: Geographic Dispersion — Resources Distributed Across Continents
Geographically, graphite reserves exist across Asia (China, India, Vietnam), Africa (Mozambique, Madagascar, Tanzania), the Americas (Brazil, Canada), and Europe (Russia, Turkey). This relatively dispersed distribution enables regional supply chain configurations. For example, Canada’s receipt of U.S. Department of Defense funding to develop graphite mines reflects North America’s push to build a localized supply chain.
Characteristic 4: Generational Shift — Production Landscape Being Reshaped
Traditional producing powerhouses like China and India maintain stable output, but emerging regions are growing faster. Tanzania’s 2024 production increased 89% year-over-year, Canada’s output surged 265%, and Brazil’s Santa Cruz mine began operations. According to industry forecasts, global graphite production is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate exceeding 10% from 2024 to 2030, with incremental growth primarily from Madagascar, Tanzania, Mozambique, and Canada. This generational shift provides more options for the anode material supply chain but also requires equipment suppliers to adapt to quality variations in graphite from different sources.
Impact of Reserve Distribution on the Anode Material Supply Chain
The global graphite reserve distribution is profoundly reshaping strategic planning across the anode material supply chain, manifesting in four key dimensions:
Supply Chain Security: Strategic Anxiety Triggered by Resource Concentration
China controls 78% of global graphite production and implemented export controls starting December 2023, directly triggering supply chain crisis awareness among Western nations. According to the report, China’s flake graphite concentrate exports declined 25% year-over-year in the first eight months of 2024, while spherical graphite exports dropped 28%. The U.S. response: three companies received government funding in 2024 totaling over $250 million to develop domestic graphite mines and processing facilities. This signals that supply chain security has escalated from commercial consideration to national strategic priority.
Capacity Planning: Balancing Proximity to Resources vs. Markets
Anode material producers face a difficult choice: establish operations near resource sites (e.g., China, Africa) to reduce raw material costs, or locate near consumer markets (e.g., U.S., Europe) to shorten supply chains? Data reveals a clear trend—U.S. natural graphite imports declined 20% year-over-year in the first eight months of 2024, reflecting not reduced demand but accelerated localized production. Two spherical graphite facilities in Louisiana and Alabama are operational or under construction, demonstrating that “nearshoring” strategies are being implemented.
Technical Adaptation: Quality Variations Challenge Different Graphite Sources
High-grade flake graphite from Heilongjiang, China; crystalline graphite from Minas Gerais, Brazil; and super-flake graphite from Madagascar each possess distinct quality characteristics. Chinese graphite is 85% flake and 15% amorphous, while India primarily produces cryptocrystalline graphite. This requires anode material equipment suppliers to possess technical capabilities for processing multiple graphite types, with production line designs demanding greater flexibility and adaptability.
Future Outlook: 2025-2030 Supply-Demand Forecast
According to GlobalData projections, global graphite production will grow at a compound annual growth rate exceeding 10% from 2024 to 2030, driven primarily by the electric vehicle market. Lithium-ion battery industry graphite consumption has increased 200% since 2019. However, new capacity additions are mainly from Africa and Canada, meaning that over the next five years, the supply chain will gradually transition from “China-dominated” to a “multipolar” landscape.
Supply Chain Impact Overview
| Impact Dimension | Current Challenge | Response Strategy |
| Supply Security | China holds 78% production, export controls tightening | Diversified sourcing, invest in emerging regions |
| Capacity Layout | Geographic separation of resources and markets | Nearshoring, localized production |
| Technical Requirements | Significant quality variations across graphite sources | Equipment flexibility design, multi-material adaptation |
| Cost Pressure | Fine flake graphite prices declined 20% in 2024 | Process optimization, economies of scale |
Conclusion
Through in-depth analysis of global natural graphite reserves totaling 290 million tons, several key conclusions emerge:
In the short term, China will maintain its dominant position, but the implementation of export control policies has made supply chain diversification an industry consensus.
Looking at the medium term, East Africa’s three countries (Mozambique, Madagascar, Tanzania) and Canada will become important alternative supply sources, with capacity in these regions expected to grow rapidly from 2025 to 2030.
Long term, the global graphite supply chain is transitioning from “unipolar concentration” to “multipolar dispersion,” requiring anode material producers to:
- Establish flexible multi-source procurement systems
- Build technical capabilities for processing different graphite qualities
- Consider stronger material adaptability in production line design