208 The N.Z. Journal of Science and Technology. [May 
Prices of Graphite. 
Fifty to a hundred years ago and more the production of graphite was 
small, and very high prices—up to several hundred pounds per tonf-- 
were obtained for the mineral. During the years preceding the war prices 
varied considerably at the points of production, especially in Ceylon ; but, 
according to B. Dunstan, the London and New York market quotations 
varied very little during this period, or in 1914 and 1915. Crude Ceylon 
graphite during 1914 and 1915 was worth from £14 to £40 per ton, 
according to quality and size. Refined Ceylon with 97 to 99 per cent, 
carbon was worth £59 to £63 per ton ; with 90 to 97 per cent, carbon, £40 
to £62 per ton ; with 80 to 89 per cent, carbon, £30 to £32 per ton ; and 
with 70 to 79 per cent, carbon, £27 to £28 per ton. Madagascar graphite 
was apparently worth a good deal less. In New York crude Chosen 
(Korean) graphite was worth only £4 or £5 per ton. Amorphous Mexican 
brought from £18 to £37 per ton for grades suitable for lead-pencils. 
In the beginning of 1916 the war made its influence felt, and since then 
the price of graphite suitable for crucibles lias risen very greatly, and that 
of lead-pencil and blacklead (stove-polish) grades, &c., has risen consider¬ 
ably. In February, 1917, Ceylon flake suitable for crucible-manufacture 
was worth as much as £144 per ton. About the same time lower grades 
of refined flake graphite with from 70 to 95 per cent, of carbon were worth 
£20 to £60 per ton. Since graphite crucibles are not pure carbon, but 
contain only from 25 to 50 per cent, of graphite, it is difficult to understand 
why the price of a 95-per-cent, concentrate should be less than half that 
of a 98- or 99-per-cent, concentrate. The prices just quoted are given 
by Dunstan in the article mentioned below. Another source of information 
states that the London pre-war price of graphite averaged £45 per ton, 
and that in the early part of 1918 the price was £100 to £120 per ton. 
In the Queensland Government Mining Journal for September, 1917 
(vol. 18), an article by Mr. B. Dunstan, Chief Government Geologist, 
entitled “ Graphite/' mentions graphite localities in Australia and else¬ 
where, describes the mineral characters of graphite, its mode of occurrence, 
methods of concentrating and grading, purification, uses, production, 
prices, &c. The article, in fact, is a complete summary of the information 
regarding graphite needed by the producer. 
Since the above was written a “press bulletin ’’ or circular dealing with 
graphite and potash has been received from the United States Geological 
Survey. This states, inter alia , that the crystalline graphite used for 
making crucibles should contain as high as 85 per cent, of graphitic carbon, 
and should be free from mica, pyrite, and iron oxide, which are particularly 
harmful. It ought also preferably to contain a large proportion of flakes 
1 millimetre (^U in.) or more in diameter, so that its fragments may 
interlock, and thus be more easily bound together by the clay with which 
it is to be mixed. 
The total production of crystalline graphite in the United States during 
1917 was about 14,000,000 lb. (including stocks on hand at the mines), 
but for various reasons sales amounted to 10,584,0801b. only. Of this, 
6,816,913 lb., valued in English money at about £204,653, was flake 
graphite, containing from 80 to 90 per cent, of graphitic carbon. The 
remainder, 3,767,177 lb., valued at £22,908, was dust or low-grade flake, 
probably averaging under 50 per cent. The high-class material, therefore, 
f As much as £2 per pound has been paid for best Borrowdale graphite. 
