Americans want Ukrainian metals of rare lands, but they don't get out in Ukraine at all

Nobody wants to go cheaply in the only Ukrainian graphite mine. – This is one of the best quality graphics. Such graphite as ours is still in Madagascar – says Walerij Harkiewicz, chief engineer of the Zawalwskij graphite mine.

The Zawalwskij mine is located on one of the largest graphite deposits in Europe. Donald Trump has an appetite for such deposits and wants contracts for access to them in exchange for further support in the war. The latest version of the contract was adopted by the Ukrainians in surprise. – This is a completely different document. There are many things in it that there was no question of before, and those that both sides had already rejected before – informs the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelnski.

Ukraine has both elements of rare earth metal, such as lantan, CER, ERB and LIT, as well as critical raw materials, including graphite. They are the basis of modern technologies, used in the reinforcing and aviation industry for the production of wind turbines, electric cars, telephones or TVs.

– Ukraine has half of the American and European Critical Raw Mountains. We estimate their value at almost $ 15 trillion – reports Wołodymyr Landa from Center for Economic Strategy.

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Americans want to compete with China. – Even about 80 percent of the rare metal metal market is controlled by China. These materials are the essence of the Hi -Tech economy – indicates Oleksandr Khara, a former Ukrainian diplomat, director of Center for Defense Strategies.

The Zawalwska mine has an Australian investor and until recently it was at the forefront of mining. Due to hostilities, the mill in the mine is now working only periodically. There is a lack of electricity through Russian attacks. Western contractors have passed away, and suppliers from eastern Ukraine are under occupation. Some employees were appointed to the front.

– Until 2022, until the beginning of the war, 250 people worked in the factory. Now, unfortunately, he works less than 100 – reports Igor Semko, director of the production of the mine.

The Mine of Critical Raw Mountains in Ukraine does not have many, and the metals of rare lands do not come out at all. Mining is complicated, there is a lack of technology and investment. Business is difficult and calculated for many years. – Not one year. If tomorrow some American supercorporation buys a license, conducts research, start work, then the first kilogram of graphite will release in about 7-10 years – emphasizes Ostap Kostujuk, president of the Zawaliwskij graphite mine.

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But Americans are moving forward. The new version of the contract is financially unfavorable for Kiev. – Trump's style is more business than geopolitical and this style can give results. Ukraine understands that if you want to receive something from a partner, then you must give him what will interest him – says Mychajło Podolak, adviser to the President of Ukraine.

The question is, how much to give so as not to lose more. – It must be signed so that it pays off to Ukraine, not the United States – believes Igor Semko.