Reforming subsoil use
Ukraine has launched a major reform of subsoil management, aiming to transform one of the most closed and corruption-prone sectors into a driver of foreign investment and regional development.
According to government forecasts, the new framework could attract billions of dollars into the extraction of:
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lithium,
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titanium,
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rare earth metals,
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natural gas,
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and other critical raw materials needed by global industries.
Digitalization and transparency
The reform is built on digital tools and open data:
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All special permits for subsoil use will now be issued exclusively via open electronic auctions.
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Approval procedures have been reduced from 17 stages to 5, cutting bureaucracy and delays.
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An interactive geological map of deposits will be created, allowing investors to access verified data in real time.
This level of openness is expected to significantly reduce corruption risks, accelerate decision-making, and increase the attractiveness of Ukraine for international resource companies.
Investor implications
The reform comes at a time of global shortages of strategic raw materials, with the EU seeking to diversify away from Russian and Chinese supply chains.
Ukraine, with its rich reserves, could become a key supplier to Europe’s energy transition and defense industries.
“Ukraine’s new model will not only activate investments, but also ensure the development of regions where deposits are located,” said representatives of the State Service for Geology and Mineral Resources.
Benefits for communities
A central element of the reform is the community rent participation mechanism:
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Local communities will receive a share of revenues from subsoil use.
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This will encourage regional development, create jobs, and improve social infrastructure in areas where extraction projects are implemented.
Strategic breakthrough
The reform marks Ukraine’s transition from treating subsoil as a “closed zone” to making it an open economic resource.
With transparent auctions, open geological data, and global investor access, Ukraine is positioning itself as a future hub for critical raw materials vital for Europe’s security, green transition, and technological development.
