The clash in the oval study between the American president Donald Trump and the Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy, which had repercussions on world geopolitical balances, the question of rare lands has brought to the center of the international debate. Rare lands have become one of the most strategic resources of our time, essential for the production of technological devices, electric vehicles, wind turbines and advanced armaments. However, their availability is extremely concentrated, with China that today dominates the market by checking about 70% of global production and possessing 34% of the world reserves. It is in this context that Ukraine has become a point of interest for the great powers. The country has vast deposits of strategic minerals, including titanium, lithium and, according to some sources, also rare lands. The President of the United States Donald Trump has clearly expressed the need to reduce American dependence from China to this sector, and Ukraine could prove to be a key ally. But the question is more complex than it may seem. Although some estimates indicate that Ukraine could have up to 2.6 billion tons of rare earth reserves, this figure is far from certain and the subject of debate. Furthermore, even if the country has a significant mining potential, this would not be enough to make it an important actor in the global market. To achieve this goal, large investments in exploration, extraction and, above all, in the creation of an adequate industrial chain would be necessary. To further complicate the picture is the fact that many of the richest areas of resources are found in areas today theater of war or under Russian control. This makes it extremely difficult not only the extraction, but also the planning of any long -term investments. But does Ukraine really have significant deposits of rare lands? Experts like Gianclaudio Torlizzi, Consultant of the Italian Ministry of Defense, they consider no.
Are there rare lands in Ukraine?
“The only element belonging to the group of rare lands present in Ukraine is the Scandio, an exception among the 17 elements of this category. Contrary to what is often supported, the country has no significant deposits of rare lands in the strict sense of the term. While, it is rich in other strategic minerals fundamental for the global industry. Among these, the titanium stands out, of which Ukraine holds about 6% of the world reserves. ”
Are these minerals exploited?
«Ukraine does not use these resources and are needed to start mining extraction. To this is added the refining activity, which is even more complex and expensive, since it involves pollution and a high consumption of water and energy. It will be interesting to see, in the future, where the small quantities of Scandio and Titanium that Ukraine will be able to extract will be refined, but it is a speech to be faced in a few years. ”
Could Ukraine take advantage of these resources to repay the American war effort?
“Ukraine’s actual ability to provide resources is a complex question. Among the most relevant strategic minerals, the titanium stands out, essential for the aerospace and defense sectors. The country also has large reserves of natural gas, a key resource which, if adequately exploited, could contribute to European energy safety, reducing dependence on imports. The coal, although destined to lose centrality in the long term due to the energy transition, remains an important economic resource. and finally the iron mineral. In summary, these are resources with a significant market value, which could allow Ukraine to generate useful revenues to balance, at least in part, the economic support received by the Iuniti statues. “
Gas and coal: in what quantities are they present?
«Ukraine has significant reserves of natural gas and coal, which make it one of the richest countries of energy resources in Europe. According to the 2019 data, the known reserves of natural gas amounted to about 1.09 trillions of cubic meters, positioning Ukraine in second place in Europe after Norway, which owns 1,53 trillion cubic resources. This figure highlights the country’s potential as an alternative gas supplier for Europe, especially in a context of reducing addiction to Russian supplies. As for coal, Ukraine is placed on the 13th Worldplace for production and 7th for reserves, with about33.9 billion tons of coal available. The main problem is that many of these reserves are found in the eastern regions of the country, currently affected by the conflict with Russia or under Russian control since 2014. So even if the war should end in the future, the reconstruction of the infrastructures and the resumption of extractive activities would require consistent time and investments. ”
What figure should America invest to exploit Ukraine mining resources?
“Determining an exact figure is complex, since it depends on several factors, including the resources that will actually be extracted, the level of the investments necessary to develop the mining industry and the refining infrastructures, and the priorities that will be established by the governments and investors involved. At the moment, the negotiations between the United States and the Ukraine focus precisely on the identification of the most promising deposits and the definition of a strategy to exploit them effectively. There is talk of potentially billionaire investments, but the economic return and the times necessary to make the projects operational remain uncertain. Furthermore, the geopolitical context. ”
So China has nothing to fear?
«No, China maintains absolute dominion in the refining of rare lands, which is the real critical point of the production chain. Although other countries, including the United States, tried to develop the extraction of these minerals, would still remain dependent on Beijing for processing and transformation into materials that can be used by the technological industry. This gives China a strategic advantage that is difficult to scratch in the near future. Even if new rare lands manufacturers emerge, these should face the problem of refining, a highly expensive, polluting and technologically advanced process, on which China has an unrivaled experience and production capacity. ”
Can the agreement between the United States and the Ukraine influence dynamics with Russia?
«No, at least not significantly. The raw materials, including rare lands and other strategic minerals, have a global market price, and their sale generates profits regardless of geopolitical relationships. Even if the United States tried to invest in the extraction of Ukrainian resources to reduce their dependence on China, this would not radically change the balance of power with Russia. ”
Why was the idea that Ukraine has a key role in rare lands has been spread?
“The idea that Ukraine may be a central actor in the rare lands sector has probably been amplified by Kiev herself, in an attempt to attract western investors and strengthen international interest in the country. This narrative was also useful for obtaining greater economic and political support from Western allies. Donald Trump also exploited the topic in a strategic and media key, underlining the need to reduce the addiction of the United States from China to this sector. But, according to the data of the American Geological Institute, Ukraine does not have significant reserves of rare lands. His real strategic resources are others, and the theme of rare lands has therefore been used instrumentally, generating a perception that does not completely correspond to the reality of the facts. “
There are several sources that estimate that in Ukraine there are rare lands …
«Yes, it’s true, but often it is a simplification of the problem. Many non -specialized articles and sources tend to confuse the concept of “strategic minerals” with that of “rare lands”. In reality, Ukraine has some rare elements, such as Scandio, but has no significant deposits of rare lands in the broadest sense of the term. The presence of other precious and industrially important minerals has led to a misleading narrative, in which Ukraine is described as a potential leader in the sector of rare lands, when in reality its true strength lies in other mining resources. “
