One of Sri Lanka's oldest mines holds valuable deposits of graphite — a critical mineral that makes up the largest part of EV batteries. But even though the country produces the world's purest form, experts say Sri Lanka isn't a global competitor. So what can the country do to rise up and meet the skyrocketing demand?

Editor's Note: A previous version of this video incorrectly stated that the graphite deposits in Sri Lanka are 2,500 years old.

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00:00 - Intro
00:56 - A Way Of Life In Sri Lanka
01:36 - Going Down The Elevator
02:16 - Mining 2,000 Feet Underground
02:41 - Blasting Rocks With Dynamite
04:09 - The Challenges Of Mining
05:23 - History Of Sri Lanka's Graphite
05:57 - China Enters The Graphite Game
06:04 - Processing Vein Graphite In Sri Lanka
06:31 - Graphite Industry In Sri Lanka Vs. China
07:00 - Graphite's Role In EV Batteries
07:31 - China's Monopoly On Graphite
08:01 - China's Graphite Restrictions & The US
08:29 - Potential Of Sri Lanka's Graphite
08:49 - Working In The Kahatagaha Mine
09:28 - A Humble Lifestyle
10:07 - Credits

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Plunging 2,000 Feet Underground For A Critical Mineral: Graphite | Risky Business | Insider News