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Ukraine Losing Lithium Wealth: Major Blow to the West

© AP Photo / Petr David Josek Pieces of lithium sparkle in an ore sample.
 Pieces of lithium sparkle in an ore sample. - Sputnik International, 1920, 18.01.2025
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Ukraine's lithium reserves have been estimated as among the largest in the world. However, Russia recently freed a Donbass lithium mine that the EU had been eyeing greedily.
Ukraine once held close to 500,000 tons (up to 10% of world reserves) of lithium, a critical material for batteries used in devices ranging from smartphones and laptops to electric vehicles. Two of these deposits are now under Russian control.

What Are The Four Lithium Deposits?

Under Russia’s control:
1.
Shevchenko Lithium Ore Field (Donetsk People’s Republic)
2.
Krutaya Balka deposit (Zaporozhye region)
Under Ukraine’s control:
1.
Polokhovskoye deposit
2.
Dobra deposit

How Large Are They?

Shevchenko deposit: Estimated reserves of 13.8 million tons of lithium ore (Ukrainian State Geology and Subsoil Service, 2018).
Krutaya Balka deposit: Lithium reserves unspecified, but suitable for open-pit mining.
Polokhovskoye deposit: Estimated 270,000 tons of lithium (State Commission on Reserves of Ukraine, 2018).
Dobra deposit: Two separate sites, Stankuvatska and Nadiia, with combined reserves of approximately 1.2 million tons of lithium ore.

Which Western Companies Are Eying Ukrainian Lithium?

Rod Schoonover, founder of the US-based Ecological Futures Group, highlighted Ukraine’s lithium reserves as a strategic asset, calling Kiev a “promising partner” for the West.
European Lithium Ltd, an Australian company led by British businessman Tony Sage, acquired European Lithium Ukraine LLC in 2021.
The company had permits for extraction and processing at the Shevchenko deposit.
In January 2024, European Lithium paid €184 million for the Shevchenko deposit, which is now under Russian control, according to Vladimir Rogov, a Russian official involved in the integration of new regions.

How Much Are The Deposits Worth?

Lithium prices range from $8,184 to $12,276 per ton, depending on grade and market dynamics.13.8 million tons of Shevchenko deposit lithium would be worth approximately $141 billion, depending on market conditions and extraction feasibility.
An electric car a logo of the Citizens' wind farm company stands at a charging station in Sprakebuell, Germany, Thursday, March 14, 2024. Sprakebuell is something of a model village for the energy transition - with an above-average number of electric cars, a community wind farm and renewable heat from biogas. All houses in the village center have been connected to the local heating network and all old oil heating systems have been removed. - Sputnik International, 1920, 11.01.2025
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EU Has Just Lost Donbass Lithium Mine Meant to Power Bloc’s ‘Green' Ambitions
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