Following the signing of a strategic agreement between Ukraine and the United States on the creation of a Investment Fund for Reconstruction and partnerships in the field of critical mineral resourcesThe potential of Ukraine's subsoil is once again in the spotlight. Significant deposits of rare earth metals and strategic minerals are concentrated in several regions of Ukraine, including Zaporizhzhya region.

According to geologists, of the region's eight major mineral deposits five are currently on the temporarily occupied territory. Among them. Novopoltavske field, which is considered one of the largest in Ukraine in terms of rare earth metals.

Rare earth metals: Zaporizhzhia's strategic potential

As Doctor of Geological Sciences explained Vitaly Sukachand rare earth metals (lanthanides - cerium, holmium, neodymium, etc.) are extremely important for high-tech industries:

  • holmium is used in the production of nuclear reactors,
  • cerium - in the oil refining and automotive industries,
  • neodymium - in the manufacture of hard drives and magnets.

On the temporarily occupied territory of Zaporizhzhia region are located Novopoltavske field - a complex deposit whose ores contain lanthanum elements, uranium, fluorine, niobium, zirconium and lithium. "Such deposits are usually mixed, with rare earth elements in combination with tantalum, niobium, cesium or rubidium," Sukach said.

Research history and development prospects

Novopoltavske field was explored in 1970, and detailed geological studies continued until 1991. It was then that the reserves of a number of rare elements were officially confirmed. However, the exact volume data remains secret, and the degree of field development requires additional investment.

"The resources are sufficient to start production, but additional exploration is needed to determine the exact structure and location of the ore," the scientist explained.

Other strategic resources of the region

In addition to Novopoltavske, there are several other promising fields in the region:

  • Krutaya Balka (near the temporarily occupied Berdiansk) - contains Lithium, tantalum, niobium, cesium and rubidiumused in the production of batteries and components for fusion systems.
  • Surozhske field - goldis one of the most promising in the region.
  • Troitske field - graphiteis in demand in industry and energy.
  • Bilyayivske field - high-quality kaolinused in the production of paper, ceramics, electrical insulation materials and building mixtures.

Thus, Zaporizhzhya region has significant reserves of strategic and rare earth resources, the development of which may become an important part of economic recovery of Ukraine as part of a new partnership with the United States.