The miners were Singhalese peasants, using primitive methods for driving shafts, adding to local folklore.
Through plumbago mining, entrepreneurs such as Don Charles Gemoris Attygalle, Don Spater Senanayake and Duenuge Disan Pedris made their fortunes leading to many of the larger mines coming under the control several business families such as the Senanayakes, Kotalawelas and De Mels.
These families dominated the pre-independence and post-independence political landscape in Ceylon, with membership in the United National Party.
Sri Lanka's current annual production is 9,000 to 10,000 tons for two underground mines, one of which is Kahatagha and Bogala.
Based on local archaeological evidence iron ore was being melted in graphite crucibles during the Kandyan period.
The earliest records of graphite being exported are in 1825, with the first commercial shipment occurring in 1829 to Joseph Dixon, founder of the American Crucible Company.
The corporation merged three existing mines, Kahatagaha, Kolongaha and Walakatahena, into a single operation.