Ukraine’s Critical Minerals

Ukraine’s Critical Minerals Latest News

Recently, the U.S. and Ukraine signed a strategic minerals deal granting preferential U.S. access to Ukrainian mineral projects and establishing a joint investment fund for Ukraine’s reconstruction.

What are Critical Minerals and Rare Earths?

• Rare Earth Elements (REEs) are a group of 17 chemically similar metals essential for making permanent magnets used in electric vehicles (EVs), smartphones, missile systems, and wind turbines.
• The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) lists 50 minerals as “critical”, including lithium, nickel, cobalt, and rare earths, due to their vital role in defence, aerospace, green energy, and electronics.
• These minerals have no commercially viable substitutes, making their supply chain strategically important.

Ukraine’s Mineral Wealth

• Ukraine has 22 of the 34 minerals classified as critical by the European Union (EU).
• Major critical minerals in Ukraine include:
  • Rare earth elements such as lanthanum, cerium, neodymium, erbium, yttrium, and scandium.
  • Lithium, nickel, manganese, beryllium, gallium, zirconium, graphite, apatite, fluorite, and titanium.
• Graphite reserves in Ukraine account for approximately 20% of global resources, crucial for EV batteries and nuclear reactors.
• Lithium reserves are estimated at 500,000 metric tonnes, one of the largest in Europe. Key lithium areas include the central, eastern, and southeastern regions.
• Titanium is concentrated in the northwestern and central regions and is used in the aerospace and defence sectors.
• China dominates global rare earth production, making Ukraine a strategically attractive alternative supplier for Western economies.

Ukraine’s Critical Minerals FAQs

Q1. What are Rare Earth Elements (REEs)?
Ans. Rare Earth Elements are a group of 17 chemically similar elements, including the 15 lanthanides plus scandium and yttrium, used extensively in high-tech and defence applications.

Q2. Why are REEs strategically important for India?
Ans. REEs are critical for national security, clean energy, and electronics manufacturing, making their supply crucial for India’s Atmanirbhar Bharat goals.

Q3. Which countries dominate REE production globally?
Ans. China is the largest producer and exporter of REEs, followed by countries like the USA, Australia, and Myanmar.

Source: TH