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Noting tech needs, mining companies seek graphite
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_GRAPHITE_EXPLORATION?SITE=VANOV&SECTION=BUSINESS&TEMPLATE=DEFAULTNoting tech needs, mining companies seek graphite
By DAN JOLING
Associated Press
Feb 27, 5:42 AM EST
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) -- Tear apart an electric car's rechargeable battery and you'll find a mineral normally associated with No. 2 pencils.
It's graphite.
And experts say the promise of expanded uses for "pencil lead" in lithium-ion batteries - used in cars, cellphones and tablet computers - as well as a decrease in supply from China has helped touch off the largest wave of mining projects in decades.
"There's an awful lot of exploration. Lots of companies looking for graphite," said Don Hains, an expert in industrial minerals.
