U.S. Delegation Eyes Investment in Sri Lanka’s Graphite Sector 📈

A high-level delegation from the Montana State Partnership Program (SPP) and Mooney Group LLC met with Sri Lanka's Ambassador to the U.S. to discuss strategic investments in the island's graphite industry. • Strategic Interest: The U.S. group, including mining executive James Mooney, aims to provide technical expertise and global market access to develop Sri Lanka's high-purity vein graphite. • Value Addition: Discussions focused on moving beyond raw exports toward value-added production, integrating Sri Lanka into the global critical minerals supply chain for energy storage and defense. • Standards & Tech: The partnership seeks to implement advanced technology, safety protocols, and environmental standards to enhance the sector's global competitiveness. • Upcoming Milestones: This follows a growing partnership; a Graphite Mining Summit and a five-day workshop at the University of Peradeniya are scheduled for April/May 2026. _Note: This collaboration aligns with Washington's "friend-shoring" strategy for critical mineral supply chains._