Ukraine has billions in amber: where the richest deposits are located.

Amber, or 'sun stone', has always impressed with its beauty and unique properties. In our country, this natural treasure holds special significance, as Ukraine is rich in deposits of this amazing stone, attracting the attention of various sectors, from jewelers to industrialists.

News.LIVE editorial tells where exactly in Ukraine amber is mined and which regions are key.

Amber deposits in Ukraine

According to the Institute of Geological Sciences of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, the main amber deposits are concentrated in Polissia — in the northern parts of Rivne, Volyn, and Zhytomyr regions. These regions owe their wealth to geological features: amber is found here at a depth of 20-30 meters in glauconitic sands, known as 'blue soil'.

According to experts, amber reserves in Ukraine can meet industrial needs for hundreds of years, but detailed information is complicated by insufficient funding for geological research. The most famous deposits are located in Rivne region: Klesiv, Volodymyrets-Est, and Vylni.

'All these deposits are registered in the State Register and have been transferred to state balance', notes blogger and researcher Vasyl Borovyi.

The Klesiv deposit is operated by the state enterprise 'Ukramber', while Volodymyrets-Est belongs to the private company 'Sunny Craft'. The Vylni deposit is currently not being mined, but has great potential.

Methods of amber extraction

Ukrainian amber is mainly mined in open pits. Glauconitic sand is washed out using hydraulic installations, and then the pulp is washed to separate amber from sandy-clay rocks. Modern equipment includes washing dredges, pump-compressor systems, and storage tanks for recycled water, which helps reduce environmental impact.

However, illegal mining remains a serious problem. The pits of illegal miners damage the environment, using motor pumps that destroy the soil.

'Illegal amber mining leads to the destruction of forests and swamps, and land restoration requires billion-dollar expenditures', emphasize experts from the Institute of Geological Sciences.

Environmental challenges of amber mining

Illegal amber mining causes serious environmental problems in Polissia. Deforestation, land swampy areas, and disruption of the hydrological balance are just part of the consequences. Scientists claim that restoring soil fertility in affected areas is almost impossible without significant investments.

Legal enterprises are trying to minimize damage by using recycled water and conducting reclamation. However, the lack of state control and low fines for illegal mining complicate the situation. In Poland, for example, illegal mining has become economically disadvantageous due to large fines and legal costs, which could serve as an example for Ukraine.

Prospects for the amber industry

The amber industry in Ukraine has great potential. 24% of Ukrainian amber is suitable for making jewelry, exceeding indicators of many other countries. The variety of shades — from honey-yellow to green — makes Ukrainian amber very popular in the global market.

For further development of the industry, investments in geological research, legalizing extraction, and creating a transparent raw material market are necessary.

'Creating legal extraction forms, like in Poland, and establishing an amber exchange could elevate Ukraine to a new level', believe experts from 'Ukramber'.

The uniqueness of Ukrainian amber

Ukrainian amber stands out for its diverse color palette and high quality. Green amber, found in Zhytomyr region near the village of Perha, has a certificate from the Polish Academy of Sciences and is rare in the world.

Archaeological findings indicate the popularity of amber jewelry since the Scythian era, and today they symbolize Ukrainian culture.

Ukrainian amber has enormous potential, but illegal mining creates serious environmental problems. For further development of the industry, investments in research and legalizing extraction are important.