Мінеральні ресурси України (Mar 2024)
Prospects for the integrated development of lignite deposits in Zakarpattia as a source of critical mineral raw materials
Abstract
An analysis of critical mineral raw materials was carried out based on the Report of the US Department of Energy (DOE) “Evaluation of Critical Materials”, which was issued in the USA in July 2023, as well as the Methodology for the determination of critical mineral raw materials in the European Council (2017). The 2023 Critical Materials Assessment allowed DOE to prioritize investments through research, development, and implementation for critical materials, continuing progress in science and technology innovation, coupled with an increased focus on risk mitigation and expanding commercialization technologies to create and transform domestic supply chains. The DOE Report notes that 2022 was a record year for clean energy technologies. The record-breaking proliferation of clean energy technologies such as solar PV and batteries is fueling unprecedented growth in critical mineral markets. This analysis complements the USGS definition of critical minerals. In Europe, the first report on critical raw materials, which included 14 minerals, was published back in 2011. During the following years, the policy on sustainable subsoil use within the European Union was modernized. In 2017, the world saw the first methodology for assigning raw materials the status of critical, and in January 2018 – a report on the prospects of the renewable industry in the EU. The logical conclusion of this process was the creation of ERMA – an industrial alliance in this field, where a more detailed definition of “critical raw materials” was formulated. Critical raw materials in the EU are primarily those raw materials that are not only economically and strategically important for the European economy, but also those whose production is associated with a high supply risk. The article compares the concepts of critical raw materials in the USA and the European Union. On the basis of the specified documents, an analysis of current trends in the field of critical mineral raw materials was carried out. It is also noted that the concept of “critical mineral raw materials” or “critical minerals” has not yet been defined by legislation in Ukraine. Meanwhile, in July 2021, Ukraine and the European Union concluded a Memorandum of Strategic Partnership on Raw Materials. In our country, there are about 20 critical minerals included in the list, in particular, critical for the EU. One of the critical elements, both in the USA and in the European Union, is germanium. Properties, sources of production and directions of application of germanium in various spheres of modern life are given. An analysis of previously performed search and exploration works on germanium containing lignite deposits of Zakarpattia was carried out. In addition to germanium, also based on the results of these works, it was established that other liquid elements such as gallium, beryllium, scandium, yttrium, lanthanum, etc. deserve attention in deposits and coal deposits. The analysis of prospecting and exploration works on the lignite deposits of Transcarpathia indicates that these deposits contain many liquid, in particular, rare earth metals, which are extremely necessary for the economy of Ukraine. In addition, this is a powerful potential for the export of these metals, primarily to European countries, as well as to other countries of the world. The great demand for critical mineral raw materials, in particular for germanium and other types of liquid (rare earth) metals, is a confirmation of the need for further prospecting and exploration work in the lignite deposits of Zakarpattia.
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