Alaska pushes to end U.S. graphite reliance with Graphite Creek project
Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy has positioned the Graphite Creek deposit as a cornerstone of American national security, citing new estimates that suggest the site could satisfy the entire nation's graphite demand for a century as the U.S. struggles with total import reliance for the critical mineral.
The project, located north of Nome, represents the largest known graphite deposit in the United States. According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the country currently depends entirely on foreign imports for its natural graphite supply. Dunleavy highlighted the site's potential in a recent op-ed, framing the development as a necessary response to foreign control over essential technology minerals.
Graphite One, the company developing the site, is working to establish a vertically integrated supply chain that spans from Alaskan extraction to advanced manufacturing facilities in Ohio. The project gained significant federal traction in June 2025 when it was designated a "covered project" under the FAST-41 permitting process. This status provides a streamlined regulatory schedule and enhanced coordination between federal agencies, marking a shift in how domestic mining infrastructure is handled. CEO Anthony Huston noted that the company’s strategy aims to convert the massive reserve into a secure, domestic source for electric vehicle batteries and energy storage technologies.
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