According to recent geological surveys, lithium reserves at the Polokhivske deposit (Kirovohrad region) exceed 760,000 tons in lithium carbonate equivalent (760 LCE kt). Ukraine has significant potential for lithium extraction, stated Ksenia Orynchak, Executive Director of the National Association of Mining Industry of Ukraine (NAMU), in a comment to the Interfax-Ukraine agency.
"According to the latest geological survey data specifically for the Polokhivske deposit, the reserves exceed 760,000 tons of lithium carbonate equivalent," she said.
She noted that this deposit, which is owned by LLC "Ukrlitiyvydobuvannya," is one of the largest in Europe.
Orynchak reminded that there are four explored lithium deposits in Ukraine. Polokhivske is the only explored deposit where the owner holds a mining license. The others include the "Dobra" site (also in Kirovohrad region), the Shevchenkivske deposit (Donetsk region), and the "Krutaya Balka" site (Zaporizhzhia region) - the last two are located in temporarily occupied territories.
"The fact that Ukraine possesses significant lithium extraction potential is undeniable. According to authoritative studies, we rank among the top three countries in terms of reserves, alongside the Czech Republic and Serbia. (…) Ukraine is geopolitically well-positioned for European Union countries," the head of NAMU believes.
The head of the Association expressed disagreement with the opinion of the chairman of UMCC-Titanium - JSC "United Mining and Chemical Company," Yegor Perelygin, who has critically assessed the prospects for developing Ukrainian lithium deposits due to low global lithium prices, its surplus, high extraction and processing costs, and the need for significant investments in a high-risk environment in Ukraine.
Earlier, the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine estimated that the country has about 500,000 tons of lithium.