RARE EARTH MINERALS IN THE BOWELS OF UKRAINE AS A COMPONENT OF THE INVESTMENT ATTRACTIVENESS FOR THE EUROPEAN UNION
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.15407/dopovidi2025.03.071%20Keywords:
rare metal raw materials, deposit, Azov region, European Union, raw material suppliersAbstract
Rare earth elements in Ukraine’s subsoil are paragenetically associated with minerals of other rare elements, forming joint deposits of rare metal raw materials. The concept of “critical raw materials” is much broader than the concept of “rare metal raw materials” and, in addition to rare element ores, includes individual minerals, industrial products, etc. Almost all known deposits and ore occurrences in Ukraine are classified as complex deposits of rare earth and rare metal ores. The most promising is the Azov Zr-REE deposit, located in the Eastern Azov region. The prospect of creating an expanded mining hub around this deposit, which will connect a number of other deposits and ore occurrences with complex ores known in the Eastern and Western Azov regions, has been substantiated. In order to increase the investment attractiveness of the hub, it is proposed that, in addition to ore, all types of nonmetallic mineral raw materials that are of interest as critically important raw material resources for the European Union be taken into account when assessing reserves. The complexity of ores makes them in demand in various industries in the European Union. This protects investment companies from the risk of bankruptcy due to a decrease in demand for rare earth or other rare metals. Ukraine’s accession to the EU will facilitate the implementation of the recently adopted Critical Raw Materials Act.
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