Beyond rare earths: Ukraine holds key metals for F-16s and more strategic resources
Doctor of Geology, geomorphologist Olena Remezova (photo: RBC-Ukraine/Vitalii Nosach)
Ukraine has many deposits of mineral resources, not only rare earth metals, which have attracted the interest of the United States. Ukraine is also rich in titanium, other metals, and various types of stone, Olena Remezova, Doctor of Science in Geology, Chief of Mineral Deposits Geology Department of the Institute of Geological Sciences of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, says in an interview with RBC-Ukraine.
Ukraine has good prospects of entering the American markets with titanium since the country is one of the few in Europe capable of extracting it. Currently, only Norway is engaged in this process.
Titanium has many fields of application, and products made from it are expensive. Also, titanium ores contain scandium and vanadium. As Remezova explained, scandium is present in the alloys used by Americans to produce F-16 and F-35 aircraft.
“Several hundred kilograms are needed per aircraft to produce modern alloys that provide strength,” she said.
According to various estimates, Ukraine may possess 20% of the world’s titanium reserves.
Ukrainian stone
The expert also said that Ukraine is rich in construction stones - granites and similar rocks. About 300 quarries are extracting them in the Zhytomyr region alone.
Ukraine also has unique labradorites with iridescence in a wide range of colors. The researcher noted that she had seen similar stones only in Scandinavia. Crushed stone is also a valuable raw material. It will be needed in large quantities for Ukraine’s reconstruction.
Remezova added that Ukraine has various decorative and precious stones, but not all of them have been studied. Domestic reserves have not been developed, with the exception of the Volyn deposit, which contains topaz, beryl, and smoky quartz. Ukraine also has flint, marble-like onyx, and amber.
Agreement on Ukraine’s natural resources
Ukraine and the United States have officially signed a strategic agreement, establishing a joint Reconstruction Investment Fund. The Verkhovna Rada ratified the document on May 8.
The agreement covers cooperation in the field of critical minerals. In total, it contains 57 types of Ukrainian resources, including rare earth metals. Ukraine retains full control over the deposits, infrastructure, and subsoil.
The fund will invest in extraction, processing, and infrastructure. During the first 10 years, profits will remain in Ukraine and may later be distributed between the partners. Under the agreement, US military assistance is also counted as a contribution to the fund.
Learn more about the rare earth minerals in Ukraine by following the link.
