Amid a battery boom, graphite mining gets a fresh look in the US

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: AP

Updated 12:02 AM EST, December 26, 2025


GOUVERNEUR, N.Y. (AP) — Graphite mines in the United States largely closed down seven decades ago. Mining the ubiquitous mineral found in everything from nuclear reactors to pencils seemed to make little sense when it could be imported inexpensively from other nations, especially China.

That view is changing now.

Demand for graphite, a key material in the lithium-ion batteries that power everything from phones to electric cars, is surging as trade tensions with China persist. With federal officials concerned about the steady supply of a number of critical minerals, several companies have plans to mine graphite.

In New York, Titan Mining Corp. has mined a limited amount of ore from a deposit in snowy woods about 25 miles (40 kilometers) from the Canadian border, aiming for commercial sales by 2028. Company officials believe the geopolitical winds are at their backs to sell graphite concentrate for high-tech, industrial and military uses. That could include heat-resistant coatings in factories, anodes in large lithium-ion batteries connected to electrical grids and lubricants for military vehicles, according to the company.

Read more: https://apnews.com/article/us-graphite-mining-lithium-batteries-6efea670a24e2a6570f2b978c8ad71b5

[Blackjackdavey]

1. Adirondacks

Just want to make sure everyone understands we're talking about the Adirondacks/Adirondack park here. I believe the operations mentioned in the OP are located just outside the blue line - but others are not. The article doesn't seem to explore the "sacrifices" the battery boom implies.