In Ukraine, the first investor for lithium production has been selected: who it is.

The winner of the contest for the development of the lithium deposit in Ukraine has been determined

According to ТСН: Ukraine has announced the winner of the contest for the development of a lithium deposit under a production sharing agreement (PSA).

The pilot project is the development of the lithium deposit "Dobra Site", located in the Kirovohrad region. The implementation of this project will require at least $179 million in capital investment. Of this amount, $12 million is planned to be spent on new geological surveys and an international audit of reserves, while $167 million will be spent on organizing the extraction and enrichment of lithium, if industrial reserves are confirmed.

Ukrainian and foreign companies and consortiums with the necessary financial resources, technical capabilities, and experience in subsoil use were admitted to the competitive selection, which was conducted on a 100-point scoring system.

The winner was Dobra Lithium Holdings JV, LLC, which includes international companies TechMet and The Rock Holdings. These companies have extensive experience in the extraction of critically important minerals. For example, TechMet owns stakes in 10 assets across four continents and implements complex projects for the exploration, extraction, and processing of strategic minerals.

The project is expected to be a catalyst for attracting new investments and the first step in a broader plan to integrate Ukraine into global supply chains of strategic materials. "Dobra Site" is just the beginning of a large-scale program for the development of critical minerals.

The PSA mechanism involves a partnership between the state and the investor, while the deposit remains in the ownership of the people of Ukraine. Attracting strategic investors from the USA and EU countries will facilitate the implementation of modern technologies, increase international attention to Ukraine, and create additional security guarantees.

"This project opens unprecedented opportunities for Ukraine to enter the highly competitive and high-tech global lithium industry together with systemic American partners"

It should be noted that Ukraine has significant deposits of minerals — from coal and gas to lithium, titanium, and rare elements. The most concentrated resources are located in the southeast of the country, where a powerful industrial and mining base has historically developed.

This competition and project highlight the importance of developing energy resources in Ukraine, especially in light of the global trend towards green technologies. Lithium, as a component for the production of batteries and other energy solutions, is becoming a key asset in the modern economy, and Ukraine has a chance to secure its niche in the global market.