Roadmap Launched for Sri Lanka’s Critical Minerals Sector 📈

The Pathfinder Foundation (PF) has convened its Seventh Diplomatic Dialogue to position Sri Lanka in global supply chains, following the "Mining Potential" report launched in Dec 2025. • Strategic Focus: Establishment of an International Study Group on Critical Minerals with partners from Australia, India, Japan, and the USA to facilitate FDI and pilot projects. • Key Resources: Focus on high-purity vein graphite (99.9% carbon), mineral sands, apatite, quartz, mica, and rare-earth elements (REEs) for EV batteries and energy transitions. • Industrial Development: Proposals for strategic processing zones, specifically in Trincomalee, to move from raw exports to high-value-added downstream products using nanotechnology. • Policy & Reform: The sector is to be included in the upcoming 5-year National Export Development Plan. Key priorities include: • Transitioning to a digital, one-stop licensing system. • Reducing institutional bottlenecks and regulatory delays. • Enhancing public-private partnerships to modernize mining operations. _Summary based on Pathfinder Foundation dialogue proceedings._