THE CRITICAL MINERALS IMPERATIVE – Part 1
Editor’s Note
In the high-stakes race toward global technological dominance and net-zero clean energy transitions, critical minerals and rare earth elements have emerged as the foundational pillars of modern industrial power.
For India, graphite is becoming an increasingly important industrial concern. The country’s dependence on imported graphite has exposed a gap between its mineral resources and its domestic production capability.
While rare earths often capture headlines for their role in high-tech defense systems and electronics, graphite stands out as an irreplaceable cornerstone of the green energy revolution.
Classified globally and nationally as a critical mineral, graphite is the unsung hero powering everything from traditional metallurgy to the cutting-edge lithium-ion batteries driving electric vehicles and renewable energy storage.
As nations race to secure resilient supply chains, dependence on concentrated foreign imports poses severe strategic vulnerabilities.
With crucial applications spanning carbon brushes, high-speed train composites, nuclear reactors, and advanced energy storage systems, domestic graphite production is no longer just a mining priority—it is an economic and national security imperative.
Reclaiming domestic capacity in critical minerals requires deep expertise, innovative beneficiation technologies, and urgent policy intervention to revive dormant reserves.
In this insightful interview with Prabhas Chandra Agrawal of Agrawal Graphite Industries, we explore over five decades of pioneering experience in graphite mining, the operational bottlenecks facing the sector, and the vital steps required to build a self-reliant critical mineral ecosystem.
Q: Besides Graphite, which are the other products you mine and which are your chief markets?
A: Besides Graphite we do not mine and deal in other minerals. Graphite is having wide uses i.e. in Refractories for Steel, Carbon brushes paints & now in recent years it is lithium ion batteries.
Q: You wear many professional hats and have contributed majorly to the mining industry. Comment?
A: We are involved in the business of Natural graphite mining and beneficiation way back since 1958. My father Late Phulchand Agrawal was the 1st entrepreneur in India to design and fabricate the beneficiation machineries in house suitable for low grade Graphite ore benefication in Odisha. I joined my father in 1969 and my brother Pramod Kumar Agrawal in the year 1977.
We are having deep knowledge and expertise in Natural Graphite mineral. We have established processing with in house technology along with product quality for suitability for manufacturing of different Graphite products.
Q: The Indian mining sector is beset with many challenges? What were the chief bottlenecks encountered?
A: Yes at present the mining sector is facing lots of challenges in India, particularly small minerals like Graphite.
Challenges post-2015 for graphite minerals include prospecting at various levels, including processing of auctioning, delayed Government clearances, land acquisition policy for acquiring private land for mining.
Q: What measures should the Govt taken over the years to streamline the mining industry?
- The government should take up early prospecting of small mineral deposits like Graphite.
- Expedite auction of these minerals
- The Government should complete all clearances prior to auctioning.
- Experienced stakeholders should be a part of the policy formulation.
- Land acquisition should be a part of the mining Rule.
Q: Besides mining, your company has ventured into solar space too. What motivated you?
A: Looking into the future Green energy requirement, we have ventured into solar panel manufacturing. The vision created by our Hon’ble Prime Minister.
Q: Given the spurt in global solar needs, and increase in the number of players worldwide in this sector, what would be your core USP?
A: Yes, we would like to one of the players with quality production. Logistics are very important. In Odisha only three units are under operation and we can meet local requirements with lower logistic cost. Our unit is the only producer of mono-perk modules in Odisha.
Q: You wear the hat of a miner and manufacturer, what opportunities and hurdles you face and what Govt. intervention you seek?
A: Governments needs to understand importance of small mineral like Graphite, now declared as critical mineral.
India is importing nearly 98% of its requirements from China & African Countries.
Major operation of Graphite are closed in India and Government attention for revival of this sector is required, at aid faster pace.
Q: Besides business, what contributes to your growth and what inspires you?
A: Besides business, how can any one look at Growth & inspiration only matter is we are a Marwari family & business basics are there in our DNA to accelerate growth.
Q: You have contributed a lot to development of your state. Comment?
A: Yes, we are contributing & have contributed to the development of interior villages during mining for few last long years. We have served our State & Country, with our long experience and expertise.
Q: Over the decades what are the industry changes? What in your view are the chief reasons?
A: Due to technological development Worldwide and an with eye on Green energy has created. Lot of changes in the product requirements in these years. In our view looking into our Prime Ministers vision and actions. Small mineral sectors should also move in the same pace.
Q: As an active player in the mining business in the Indian market, how do you see the future of this industry?
A: These are the uses of Graphite is a very big goal like Iron, Steel etc.. That the graphite is used in 1) Alumina graphite refractories, 2) Mangnesia carbon refractories, 3) Crucibles, 4) Plumbago bricks, 5) Ramming mixes for blast furnace, 6) Zirconia-graphite coating, 7) Silicon carbide graphite crucibles, 8) Graphite for re-carburiser, 9) Foundry core, 10) Mould washes, 11) Continuous casting powders, 12) Hot topping, 13) Power metallurgy, 14) Carbon brushes, 15) Carbon bearings, 16) Batteries, 17) Lithium ion batteries, 18) Break lining for automobiles, 19) Clutch plates, 20) Carbon compositors for high speed train/aircraft. 21) Pencils, 22) Lubricants, 23) Grease, 24) Colloidal graphite, 25) Gaskets, 26) Graphite plates, 27) Graphite paints, 28) Rubber products, 29) Graphite used in oil drilling, 30) Graphite balls used for nuclear reactor etc.etc..
Q: How do you view the new Development on Green energy-accelerated demand for lithium ion batteries?
A.There is a very good future for this sector in India. Since India is importing Graphite upto 98% of its requirement.
Q: What would be your vision 2030?
A: Growth for mineral like Graphite going to increase three fold Worldwide. Now it’s high time for India to revive the closed mining sector. Odisha was contributing 70% of India’s requirement till 2006.
Q: What is your approach for sustainable profitability management and customer satisfaction?
A: With reference to Graphite mineral & our expertise in the field;-
1. Winning of mineral during the course of development.
2. Our benefication technology is simple & cost effective.
3. Lower cost of production.
4. Lower cost of operation.
5. Total recovery of available mineral resources a mining& benefication at zero waste technology.
All above are for suitable profitable management.
Quality is our Moto of our organisation.
There by serving our customer on quality for long more than 50 years.
Q: With India’s emergence as a major economic power, do you have any plans for India and the subcontinent?
A: We are the only private graphite producer in Odisha and plan to continue with more mining leases under different Government policies, as Odisha has a large reserve of Graphite mineral for which the Government needs to bestow due attention.
Q: What would be your advice to new entrants in this business?
A: New entrants need complete knowledge regarding the mineral as every graphite deposit behaves differently for different products and every deposit is not suitable for every product.
With more than 5 decades standing in Graphite mining and beneficiation, we have not been given recognition for our contribution to the country and the expertise we bring to the table. we created. We have contributed & served our State & our Country with whatever capacity we have, for its in a particular mineral.
