1. Cabinet Decision at a Glance
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Approved lists of critical and strategic minerals aligned with the EU Critical Raw Materials Act and U.S. partnership goals.
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60 subsoil blocks to be auctioned via electronic bidding for special‑use permits.
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26 blocks to be offered under Production‑Sharing Agreements (PSAs).
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Objective: attract foreign and domestic capital to bolster defence supply chains and turbo‑charge industrial growth.
2. What’s in the New Mineral Classifications?
| Category | Minerals Included |
|---|---|
| Strategic (11) | Aluminum, beryllium, copper, nickel, niobium, strontium, tantalum, titanium, uranium, zirconium, fluorite |
| Critical (28) | All strategic minerals plus vanadium, bismuth, tungsten, gallium, hafnium, indium, rare earths, lithium, arsenic, tin, lead, scandium, antimony, tellurium, cesium, zinc, potassium salt |
3. Subsoil Blocks on Offer
Auction List — 60 Blocks
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Metals: titanium, lithium, copper, nickel, cobalt, niobium, beryllium, zirconium
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Industrial minerals: potassium salt, fluorite, apatite
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Format: public e‑auction for special‑use permits
PSA Competition — 26 Blocks
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Metals: lithium, titanium, uranium, vanadium
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Industrial mineral: potassium salt
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Format: long‑term Production‑Sharing Agreements designed for large‑scale CAPEX
4. Strategic Impact
| Benefit | Details |
|---|---|
| Investment Magnet | Framework meets Ukraine Facility Plan, EU CRM Act, and U.S.–Ukraine Reconstruction Investment Fund criteria. |
| Defence Capability | Secures domestic supply for armour plate, electronics, and battery metals. |
| Economic Diversification | Spurs downstream processing and advanced‑materials manufacturing. |
| EU & U.S. Alignment | Harmonises licencing with Western ESG and transparency standards, easing cross‑border financing. |
“The decision positions Ukraine as a full‑fledged partner in the global critical‑raw‑materials market and fulfils key milestones under our U.S. and EU agreements,”
— Svitlana Hrynchuk, Minister of Environmental Protection & Natural Resources
5. Next Milestones
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Q3 2025: Ministry publishes block data packages and auction timetable.
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Q4 2025: Launch of first e‑auctions; PSA pre‑qualification window opens.
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2026: Award of initial licences; commencement of exploratory drilling.
Bottom Line
By unlocking 86 high‑value deposits and streamlining licencing, Ukraine signals that it is open for business in the race to secure the critical minerals that power defence tech, batteries, and next‑gen industry—delivering a clear win for investors and allies alike.
