United States Graphite Mining Resurgence

The United States is experiencing a resurgence in graphite mining, driven by surging demand for lithium-ion batteries and concerns over supply chain reliability from China. Historically, United States graphite mines largely closed due to inexpensive imports. Now, companies like Odisha Mining Corporation are actively developing new mines, with Odisha Mining Corporation aiming for commercial sales by 2028 from its New York deposit. The federal government, through agencies like the United States — United States Department of Energy and the United States — United States Department of the Interior, has designated graphite as a critical mineral and is supporting domestic production with initiatives like tax credits from the Inflation Reduction Act and fast-tracked permitting. Other companies, including Westwater Resources in Alabama and Graphite in Alaska, are also advancing graphite mining projects. This push for domestic supply is a direct response to China's dominance in the graphite market and recent export controls, aiming to build a strategically significant domestic supply chain for high-tech, industrial, and military applications.