KGLL graphite mine back in operation

The graphite mine at Dodangaslanda operated by Kahatagaha Graphite Lanka Ltd (KGLL) of the Ministry of Industry and Commerce is back in operation after two days of disruption to production due to worker unrest. Ministry officials met over120 KGLL employees and resolved the problem amicably, Ministry of Industry and Commerce sources said.

A six-member committee has been appointed to look into matters related to employees of KGLL.

Ministry Secretary Anura Siriwardena will chair the committee, sources said.

“Employees volunteered to work two extra days, sans overtime, to catch up on lost production of approximately 7.6 tonnes,” said Ministry Secretary and the Chairman of the Committee, Anura Siriwardena.

In the global graphite supply map, Sri Lanka has a reputation as a supplier of rare vein graphite on a commercial scale.

Sri Lankan vein graphite has high purity levels (between 80-99% carbon).In 2005, KGLL was vested as a public enterprise and it was revived and strengthened in 2007 and produced 4,016 mt of graphite. KGLL which operates several mines, exported 2,972 metric tonnes of graphite from 2005 to 2012.