SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — As Ukraine continues to fight for its freedom after Russia invaded 3 years ago, the Trump administration is looking to capitalize on the situation. The White House wants Ukraine to sign an agreement handing over the rights to rare earth minerals found in parts of Ukraine.
Mega Millions changes start this week
Jon Kellar is a Professor of Materials and Metallurgical Engineering at the School of Mines & Technology. He says U.S. interest in Ukraine is understandable given China’s near monopoly on a lot of critical minerals.
“And their apparent willingness to use that leverage when it is convenient and so over the last about ten years there are instances where we, our domestic vulnerability has been very evident and so I think all of that has brought all of this to the forefront,” said Kellar.
Ukraine reports deposits of titanium, which is used for making aircraft wings and other aerospace products. It’s also used in medical devices.
Ukraine has lithium, which is used to make high capacity batteries. Uranium is used for nuclear power, medical equipment and weapons. The country also has graphite and manganese, both used in batteries for electric vehicles.
Ukraine also has deposits of lesser-known rare earth minerals.
“It’s very important for this business that we’re talking about here,” said President Trump. “With chips and semiconductors and everything else. We need rare earths.”
Professor Kellar says the United States also has deposits of rare earth minerals including some in neighboring Wyoming.
“I think there are several other rare earth companies in the United States that will start to at least give us options around rare earth metals that we don’t currently have,” said Kellar.
So while the U.S. ramps up its own production, access to Ukraine’s minerals would mean even more freedom from any control China would try to exert in the future. Professor Kellar says just because the U.S. may get access to Ukraine’s minerals doesn’t mean the mining would begin right away. He says it could take years to set up new mining operations.
