\n\u2022 Rare earth elements are key raw materials for electric motors, powerful magnets, sensors, batteries, military and space technologies, as well as green energy (wind power, electric vehicles).
\n\u2022 Global demand for REE and critical materials is growing faster than the ability to rapidly increase supply, creating premiums for resources and vertically integrated assets.
\n\u2022 Diversification of suppliers is a strategic priority for many states and corporations in the context of excessive dependence on individual countries.<\/p>\n
Geological Reserves: What Is Known and What Is in Question<\/strong> Doubts About Economic Feasibility<\/strong> Global Trends: Demand for Rare Earth Elements<\/strong> Barriers and Challenges for Ukraine<\/strong><\/p>\n Current Agreements and Political Context<\/strong> Investment Opportunities<\/strong> <\/p>\n Policy and Institutional Steps<\/strong><\/p>\n Time Horizon<\/strong> Conclusion<\/strong> <\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":150154,"menu_order":0,"template":"","newscat":[10],"newstag":[],"issues":[],"class_list":["post-150156","news","type-news","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","newscat-analitika"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/ldaily.ua\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/news\/150156","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/ldaily.ua\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/news"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/ldaily.ua\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/news"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ldaily.ua\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/150154"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/ldaily.ua\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=150156"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"newscat","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ldaily.ua\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/newscat?post=150156"},{"taxonomy":"newstag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ldaily.ua\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/newstag?post=150156"},{"taxonomy":"issues","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ldaily.ua\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/issues?post=150156"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
\nUkraine possesses some of the largest reserves in Europe of titanium \u2014 about 7% of the world\u2019s total, as well as graphite \u2014 up to 20% of the global total (NATO ENSEC COE data).
\nLithium resources, in particular the Shevchenko deposit (Donetsk region), are estimated at \u2248 1.2 million tons of lithium oxide (Li\u2082O) with ore grade \u2248 1.3\u20131.5% \u2014 one of the largest in Eastern Europe (ResearchGate, Wikipedia, IEA).
\nAccording to UNECE, Ukraine holds up to 5% of the world\u2019s reserves of critical materials.<\/p>\n
\nAt present, there are no proven economically viable REE deposits: most Soviet-era estimates are outdated, and the modern assessment process lacks transparency (IEEE Spectrum, S&P Global).
\nMany promising deposits \u2014 Yastrubetske, Novopoltavske, Azovske, Mazurivske \u2014 are located in active combat zones or occupied territories, which significantly complicates their development (European Parliament, CIRSD, GIS Reports).<\/p>\n
\n\u2022 The global REE market will grow from \u2248 197 thousand tons in 2025 to 260 thousand tons in 2030 (CAGR \u2248 5.8%) \u2014 OpenPR.
\n\u2022 The World Bank forecasts a 500% increase in REE demand by 2050 (ZPP).
\n\u2022 The EU will still depend on China for more than 75% of REE processing by 2030 (ibanet.org).
\n\u2022 In 2023, the EU Critical Raw Materials Act came into force \u2014 a strategy for diversifying sources and expanding internal capacities (European Parliament, Epthinktank).<\/p>\n\n
\nIn April 2025, a framework agreement was signed with the United States to create a joint Resource Management Fund, which provides access to REE, titanium, lithium, and uranium, while keeping ownership and profits from new developments with Ukraine for the first 10 years (AP News, Wikipedia).
\nSome analysts warn of the risk of a “mineral trap” \u2014 a combination of unprofitable deposits, wartime risks, and dependence on foreign financing could lead to strategic vulnerability.<\/p>\n
\n\u2022 Exploration and raw material sources \u2014 3D seismics, drilling, geochemical analysis.
\n\u2022 Initial beneficiation \u2014 creation of local facilities for concentrates.
\n\u2022 Local processing \u2014 production of magnets (NdFeB) and other high value-added products.
\n\u2022 Recycling \u2014 processing of used magnets and batteries.
\n\u2022 Vertical integration \u2014 partnerships with manufacturers of electric vehicles, wind turbines, defense technologies.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/ldaily.ua\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/img_7022-688x1024.png\" "\\"\\"")
<\/p>\n\n
\n\u2022 Short term (1\u20133 years) \u2014 exploration, pilot projects, initial recycling.
\n\u2022 Mid term (3\u20136 years) \u2014 launch of beneficiation plants, first contracts.
\n\u2022 Long term (6\u201310 years) \u2014 establishment of a full cycle: from extraction to finished components.<\/p>\n
\nUkraine has the potential to become a significant player in the global rare earth elements market, but this requires: strategy, investment, modern technologies, strict environmental standards, and international partnerships. Investors should start with concentrates and recycling, laying the groundwork for large-scale local processing.<\/p>\n