Research and application of unique and rare earth elements in Ukraine: the way to innovation and sustainable development

Uliana Naumenko^1,2  https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9420-4044

Victor Matsui¹ , https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1971-4228

Oleksii Naumenko^1,2  https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0050-2820

¹Institute of Geological Sciences, NAS of Ukraine (Kyiv, Ukraine)

²French Geological Survey (BRGM) (Orléans, France)

Cite as

Naumenko, U., V. Matsui, O. Naumenko. 2024. Research and application of unique and rare earth elements in Ukraine: the way to innovation and sustainable development. GEO&BIO, 26: 95–103. [English, with Ukrainian summary]

doi: https://doi.org/10.53452/gb2607

pdf: gb2607-naumenko.pdf

Abstract

As environmental challenges have intensified, developed nations have increasingly focused on advancing technologies aimed at reducing environmental impacts. Consequently, minerals such as titanium, cobalt, and various rare and rare earth metals have become critical components of green technologies, playing a pivotal role in the energy transition from fossil fuels to alternative energy sources in advanced economies. Ukraine possesses substantial reserves of rare and rare earth elements, including tungsten, tantalum, niobium, indium, and others. These elements exhibit unique physical and chemical properties that render them essential for industrial applications, including use as alloying additives in steels and alloys, in electronics, magnetic materials, catalysts, and nuclear technologies. Nearly all titanium and iron ore deposits in Ukraine are complex, containing valuable rare-metal impurities such as vanadium, scandium, tantalum, niobium, zirconium, hafnium, thorium, tungsten, tin, gallium, indium, and yttrium. The present study identifies three primary sources of rare earth elements in Ukraine: primary apatite-ilmenite deposits, exogenous deposits resulting from weathering, and complex ilmenite-rutile and ilmenite-zircon deposits. The composition of valuable impurities in titanium ores varies depending on the specific deposit and geological conditions, underscoring the necessity of detailed mineralogical and geochemical analyses at each location. This research is based in investigations of titanium-bearing minerals within the Ukrainian crystalline shield, as well as the review of over 200 production reports. The paper outlines the formation patterns of various deposit types and emphasises the need for continued research into rare metals across diverse geological formations, including the exploration of alternative sources for extracting valuable impurities. Ukraine is preparing to implement modern, waste-free technologies for the extraction and comprehensive processing of its mineral resources. Failing to recognise the complex nature of these deposits can result in the loss of rare metals such as vanadium, hafnium, and zirconium. This paper further explores the potential of transitioning to environmentally sustainable methods for mining titanium and iron ores, with the concurrent recovery of rare metal by-products.

Key words: Ukrainian Shield, titanium deposits, impurities, unique and rare earth elements, ilmenite.

Correspondence to

Uliana Naumenko; Institute of Geological Sciences, NAS of Ukraine, 55b Oles Honchar Street, Kyiv, 01054 Ukraine; Email: uznaum@gmail.com

Article info

Submitted: 06.03.2024. Revised: 22.10.2024. Accepted: 30.10.2024

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