Sri Lanka’s mining and quarrying sector shows greater growth potential through the manufacture of graphene
Sri Lanka’s mining and quarrying sector is looking at greater growth potentials since the country is now reportedly equipped with the latest technology to create the breakthrough wonder material ‘graphene’ from the high purity graphite deposits.
“The government wishes to increase the share of mining in GDP. Lankan graphite producers are likely to see even better times in future,” Minister of Industry and Commerce in Sri Lanka, Rishad Bathiudeen has reportedly said.
He has made this observation addressing an evening session themed “Intelligence in Graphite” organised by Bogala Graphite Lanka PLC, a subsidiary of Graphit Kropfmuhl GmbH (part of AMG N.V.), which has mining operations in Africa and Asia.
Joining the Minister at the session were Managing Director/CEO of Graphit Kropfmuhl GmbH Thomas Junker, Bogala Graphite Lanka PLC Chairman Vijaya Malalasekera, Bogala Graphite Lanka PLC’s CEO Amila Jayasinghe, Chief Minister of Sabaragamuwa Province Maheepala Herath, several parliamentarians, as well as local and international academics and experts in mining.
“The Ministry of Industry and Commerce too contributes to the mining GDP of Sri Lanka. For example, Kahatagaha Graphite Lanka Limited (KGLL) under my Ministry is a fully government owned company. It has Sri Lanka’s leading underground mine, producing high quality graphite above 99% carbon purity,” Bathiudeen has said.
He has added, “From 2006 to 2017 the total production of graphite by KGLL is more than 8000 metric tonnes and it exported 6300 MT. For 2018 KGLL has a Production Target of 840 MT. As you may know graphene which is the world’s new breakthrough material is produced from graphite. I believe that Lankan graphite producers such as Bogala Graphite and Kahatagaha Graphite therefore are likely to see even better times in future. Global investors also welcome specialized mining licenses rather than general licenses in Sri Lanka.”
During the August 14th session, experts have reportedly showed that Sri Lanka now has the latest graphene processing technology which can produce multi-layered graphene (from locally mined graphite) at half the price (around US$ 6000) of the current international price (at US$ 12000).
OSL take:
The move to manufacture graphene through local graphite would boost the mining and quarrying sector in the country. Since Sri Lanka will be in a position to produce multi-layered graphene (from locally mined graphite) at half the price (around US$ 6000) of the current international price (at US$ 12000), it would help the local construction industry. Also, local companies could explore the possibility of exporting grapheme as well. Foreign businesses/investors could look at investing in the manufacture of graphene in Sri Lanka since it is bound to become a booming business in the near future.
| Article Code : | VBS/AT/24082018/Z_1 |