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Mapped: Ukraine’s Mineral Resources
An anticipated minerals deal between the United States and Ukraine was not signed yesterday after a contentious Oval Office meeting between President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House.
The proposed Reconstruction Investment Fund references “deposits of minerals, hydrocarbons, oil, and gas”. Most notably, the Trump administration has shown interest in rare earth reserves—a group of 17 chemically similar elements critical to manufacturing high-tech products, including loudspeakers and computer hard drives.
The data for this graphic comes from the Ukrainian Geologic Survey.
Ukraine’s Untapped Resource Potential
Ukraine claims to hold nearly $15 trillion worth of mineral resources, making it one of the most resource-rich nations in Europe. The country is home to the continent’s largest reserves of lithium, titanium, and uranium.
According to data from the Ukrainian geologic survey, Ukraine possesses 5% of the world’s mineral resources, including 23 of the 50 materials deemed critical by the U.S. government. These include:
- Titanium – Used in aerospace and military applications
- Graphite – Essential for battery production
- Lithium – A key component of lithium-ion batteries
- Beryllium – Vital for defense and telecommunications
- Rare Earth Elements – Crucial for electronics, renewable energy, and defense industries
| Element | Reserves (tonnes) | Global Production (%) | Reserves Global/Europe |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carbon | 18,600,000 t | 4% | #5 |
| Manganese | 140,000,000 t | 1.6% | #4 |
| Iron | 6,500,000,000 t | 1.5% | #8 |
| Beryllium | 13,900 t | - | - |
| Lithium | Classified | - | #1 (Europe) |
| Titanium | Classified | 7% | #9 |
| Uranium | Classified | 2% | #1 (Europe) |
Geopolitical and Economic Implications
Access to Ukraine’s resource wealth could strengthen U.S. supply chains and reduce reliance on China, which dominates rare earth processing. However, securing investment and ensuring stable extraction remains a challenge amid the ongoing conflict with Russia.
Learn More on the Voronoi App
If you enjoyed this topic, check out this graphic that visualizes the top 10 donors to Ukraine between Jan 24, 2022, and July 31, 2023.
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