Graphite deposits are found in volcanic rocks, sedimentary rocks and metamorphic rocks.

According to the United States Bureau of information, the world's Graphite reserves of 86 million tons, reserves of base of 286 million 860 thousand tons. Graphite resources have been found relatively concentrated in China, Czech, Mexico, Brazil, North Korea, India and Madagascar.

According to the statistical data of the Ministry of land and resources, China crystalline graphite reserves of 30 million 850 thousand tons, the basic reserves of 52 million 800 thousand tons; the aphanitic graphite reserves of 13 million 580 thousand tons, the basic reserves of 23 million 710 thousand tons, China graphite reserves accounted for more than 70% of the world. The distribution of Chinese graphite resources widely, graphite is distributed in 19 provinces (autonomous regions), Heilongjiang province has developed graphite reserves of 22 million tons, Shandong province has developed graphite reserves of 12 million tons, Inner Mongolia has developed the graphite reserves of 4 million tons; the aphanitic graphite distribution in Hunan province and Jilin province. Chinese famous Baiyun Mountain Heilongjiang Graphite Deposit in Luobei Graphite Deposit, Shandong Nanshu Graphite Deposit, Inner Mongolia XINCHE graphite mine, Hunan Lutang aphanitic graphite ore.

The early last century, the United States has developed the production of natural graphite, annual output of only thousands of tons, since 1954, the United States will no longer develop the production of natural graphite, but turned to the production of synthetic graphite. 2004 U.S. synthetic graphite enterprises have 22, synthetic graphite production of 250 thousand tons, worth $774 million. In the last century before 90s, Chinese graphite production increased gradually, to 80s, China has been ranked first in the world production of graphite. According to the Chinese non-metallic mineral association statistics, in 2004 Chinese graphite production was 380 thousand tons, aphanitic graphite production was 1 million 100 thousand tons. The United States Bureau estimates that China's graphite production is only 700 thousand tons, accounting for the world's total graphite production of 71%.