FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS
Although no definite data are available, it is believed that Ceylon can not produce much longer at the present rate, and it is possible that the virtual exhaustion of the deposits is not far distant. Madagascar is capable of greatly increased production. It is doubtful if American deposits with less than 5 per cent. graphite will be able to meet free competition from Madagascar, where over 20 per cent. of the rock as mined is graphite. Too little is known of the Greenland and Brazilian deposits to hazard a guess as to their future importance, but it is reported that immense reserves exist in Greenland. The German flake deposits will hardly survive free competition from Madagascar, unless modern methods are introduced. Amorphous graphite will probably be chiefly produced, as at present, by Austria, Bohemia, Mexico and Chosen. Mexico and Chosen are likely to supply most of the pencil graphite of the world. Increased production of artificial graphite may reduce the demand for amorphous graphite. In 1918, notices in the German technical press told of the discovery of immense deposits of flake graphite in Roumania. These were to be worked jointly by the German and Austrian governments under a 75 year lease from the Roumanian government. The outcome of the war of course annulled this arrangement.
Vein graphite (that is, Ceylon graphite) is preferred for crucible manufacture, but increasing amounts of flake are being used successfully. European manufacturers seem to use flake almost exclusively; and American manufacturers will no doubt find it possible, if necessary. Increasing amounts of amorphous graphite are being employed for various industrial uses, chiefly foundry facings. The development of the electric steel furnace, by reducing the use of crucibles, may tend in some degree to reduce the difference in value between crystalline and amorphous graphite.