DETROIT — An anticipated agreement between the United States and Ukraine will grant the U.S. access to Ukraine’s substantial mineral resources, including those crucial for transitioning to clean energy. This development is slated to be formalized later this week.
President Donald Trump has consistently voiced skepticism regarding the shift toward green energy solutions. This transition encompasses wind and solar power and the electrification of transportation and appliances, all of which require critical minerals, which this agreement will enable the U.S. to obtain. Given Trump’s stance against green energy, pursuing these minerals might seem contradictory. However, these minerals have a broad range of applications beyond green energy.
**Ukraine’s Mineral Wealth**
Various countries recognize different minerals as strategically crucial. In the U.S., the Department of the Interior has identified 50 such minerals, with Ukraine possessing more than 20. The country is rich in titanium, in demand for manufacturing uses such as aircraft components, marine applications, chemical processing, and making medical devices.
Moreover, Ukraine holds deposits of lithium, essential to current battery technologies, and uranium, vital for nuclear power and medical tools. Additionally, the country is home to graphite and manganese, components in electric vehicle batteries. However, as noted by Tom Moerenhout of Columbia University, the geological data for Ukraine is outdated, dating back to its time under Soviet rule. This limits clear insights into the feasibility or profitability of mining these resources.
“It’s one thing to have a deal that outlines extraction and revenue management,” Moerenhout commented. “It’s quite another to establish concrete mining projects,” a scenario not guaranteed by this agreement. Some mineral deposits are located in regions currently occupied by Russia, adding complexity.
**Ukraine’s Rare Earth Metals**
Rare earth elements, totaling 17, are part of the critical mineral group and have various technological and industrial applications, from military equipment to clean energy solutions.
While rare earth elements like ytterbium are not truly rare, their extraction is complex due to low concentrations. China currently dominates this field of processing. These elements are crucial for a plethora of applications, from advanced military systems to consumer electronics and renewable energy components.
**Geopolitical Considerations**
Despite steering energy policies towards fossil fuels, the Trump administration’s strategy aligns with securing essential mineral resources. Even amidst scaled-back climate and clean-energy support, the necessity for these minerals persists due to their integral role in modern technologies, as clean energy technologies heavily depend on rare earths.
Ukraine has been eager to highlight its mineral potential to the new U.S. administration, especially with China controlling a large portion of the global supply. Access to Ukraine’s resources could mitigate this dependency and serve broader industrial interests beyond just the energy sector.
“To the Trump administration’s credit, they’ve consistently prioritized securing critical minerals due to their dependence on China,” Moerenhout noted, emphasizing that this priority remains consistent, even as the administration’s long-term clean energy deployment strategies differ.
