According to the 2024 edition of World Mining Data, before the start of the war in Ukraine, there were more than 3,000 deposits in production in the country. In total, Ukraine holds approximately 5% of the world's mineral resources, ranking 40th among mineral producers in all categories.
Among the key minerals found in Ukraine are titanium, lithium, beryllium, manganese, gallium, uranium, zirconium, graphite, apatite, fluorite, and nickel. The country is considered a potential key supplier of these minerals according to the NATO Energy Security Centre of Excellence.
Titanium is one of the most important minerals in Ukraine, as the country has the largest reserves in Europe, responsible for extracting crucial minerals for industries like aerospace, medicine, automotive, and marine. On the other hand, Ukraine has significant lithium deposits, one-third of those existing in Europe, and has reached an agreement with the United States for the exploitation of its mineral and rare earth resources.
This agreement plans to allocate 50% of the profits from the exploration of untapped mineral resources to a joint investment fund, with the U.S. having more decision-making power. This fund is expected to benefit the Ukrainian economy through various investments.
Beneath the surface of Ukraine, there are around 10,000 deposits containing 95 different types of commercially valuable minerals. Among them, graphite stands out, with reserves representing 2.2% of world production. Ukraine is also a significant producer of gallium and rutile, used in the manufacture of semiconductors and LEDs, as well as other rare earth minerals like beryllium.
Additionally, Ukraine has large reserves of non-ferrous metals such as copper, lead, zinc, and silver, being one of the main suppliers in Europe. Despite its mining potential, some deposits such as Shevchenkivske and Kruta Balka are located in conflict areas, making their exploitation difficult at present.
