Coosa County project could revitalize nation’s graphite mining industry
Coosa County could get an economic boost in the coming years, as it is home to the country’s largest graphite deposit, the historic Alabama Graphite Belt. With the rising demand for lithium-ion batteries in the U.S., the need for natural flake graphite – a critical input material for battery production – is growing, and this area’s surrounding communities could benefit substantially.
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