Graphite that was already pure when we found it.

Sri Lanka is the only commercial source of high-carbon crystalline vein graphite. Mined at Kahatagaha since 1872.

Macro view of lump crystalline vein graphite from the Kahatagaha mine, showing its metallic sheen.

Carbon content: 99%+
Form: Vein
Depth worked: 610 m
Grades: 11
Operating since: 1872

Vein graphite is not refined into purity. It is mined that way.

A large specimen of crystalline vein graphite on a table, showing the layered structure it formed with underground. — VEIN GRAPHITE AS EXTRACTED, LAYERING VISIBLE ALONG THE BREAK

Almost all graphite on the market begins below usable purity. Flake ore is mined at a fraction of its final carbon content and chemically upgraded; synthetic graphite is manufactured from petroleum coke at high temperature. Both arrive at purity through processing.

Kahatagaha's deposit formed differently. Carbon crystallised geologically into solid veins running through hard rock, and comes out of the ground already above 99% carbon in fully crystallised form. Nothing is added to it and nothing has to be stripped out.

That distinction matters to buyers for two reasons. The crystal structure is native rather than induced, which shows up in conductivity and thermal behaviour. And the purity is a property of the seam itself rather than a processing achievement that varies batch to batch.

99%+

Carbon content as mined, before any chemical or thermal upgrading is applied.

Six hundred and ten metres down, in hard rock.

Kahatagaha and Kolongaha were separate mines until the government amalgamated them in 1973. Today they work the same vein from two access points in the Kurunegala hills.

An underground haulage level in the Kahatagaha mine, with a miner moving a loaded ore tub along the rails. — HAULAGE LEVEL, ORE MOVED BY RAIL TO THE SHAFT

The steel headgear above the Kahatagaha shaft, with a bilingual sign reading Kahatagaha Shaft. — KAHATAGAHA SHAFT HEADGEAR

Workers hand-sorting crystalline graphite into grades on the floor of the sorting shed. — HAND SORTING INTO GRADES AT SURFACE

Kahatagaha shaft: 345 m
Kolongaha shaft: 101 m
Deepest workings: 610 m
Land held: 102 acres

One seam, worked continuously for over 150 years.

1872

First workings

Kahatagaha and Kolongaha begin operating as two separate mines on the same graphite seam.

1973

Brought into state hands

The government takes over both operations and amalgamates them into a single mine.

2007

Incorporated

Re-established as a public limited liability company under the Companies Act No. 07 of 2007.

Today

Deepest mine in Sri Lanka

Workings reach 610 metres below surface, producing eleven graded products.

Eleven grades, drawn from a single deposit.

Products are separated into four series by processing route. Because every grade comes from the same seam rather than from blended sources, the material stays consistent across the range.

Lump vein graphite pieces on a white surface.

99%+

Peak carbon

KL 99+KL 97-99KL 95-97

Lump graphite. Three grades, including the highest-purity product we produce.

A cone of finely milled graphite powder on a white surface.

99%+

Peak carbon

KP 99+KP 97-99KP 90-92

Powder. Three grades spanning the widest purity range of any series.

A cone of coarse graphite flake and chip on a white surface.

97-99%

Peak carbon

KC 97-99KC 95-97KC 92-95KC 90-92

Chip and flake. Four grades stepped in close increments, the broadest series in production and the usual starting point for new buyers.

A single specimen of crystalline vein graphite resting on a reflective surface.

90-92%

Peak carbon

KF 90-92

A single grade produced to one specification.

What buyers use it for.

Purity and native crystallinity at this level are relevant to a specific set of industrial applications, each served by a different form of the same material.

HOVER TO PREVIEW / CLICK TO LOCK A PANEL OPEN TAP A PANEL TO LOCK IT OPEN

The forested Kurunegala hills around the Kahatagaha mine site.

A national mineral asset, held in trust and worked for the long term rather than the quarter.

Kahatagaha Graphite Lanka Limited
Fully state owned since 1973
Ministry of Industry and Commerce

Request technical data and availability.

Specification sheets, samples and shipping terms are handled directly by the marketing department at head office.

Head Office

561/3 Elvitigala Mawatha
Narahenpita, Colombo 05
Sri Lanka

+94 11 236 8737 kgllho2019@gmail.com

Mine

Maduragoda, Dodangaslanda
Kurunegala District
90 km from Colombo

+94 37 225 2015