Ukraine’s Lithium Tender Marks Start of U.S. Investment Deal
Ukraine has announced a tender for the development of a lithium deposit in the central Kirovohrad region, Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko said on Wednesday.
The Gaze reports this, referring to a post by the Ukrainian Prime Minister on Telegram.
The "Dobra" site is set to become the first project under a joint investment fund with the United States, created in April as part of Kyiv’s strategy to secure Washington’s continued support amid Russia’s ongoing invasion.
The agreement, strongly championed by U.S. President Donald Trump, grants the United States preferential access to new mineral projects in Ukraine while also channeling investment into the country’s reconstruction efforts.
“The deposit holds substantial lithium reserves, a resource of strategic importance for both the energy and technology sectors,” Svyrydenko noted.
She emphasized that Kyiv is seeking an investor who will not only extract raw materials but also contribute to building value-added production in Ukraine.
According to the Prime Minister, the official tender announcement will be released within the next two months, after which bids will be accepted for three months before selecting a winner.
Svyrydenko previously highlighted that the development of the field could reduce risks for Ukraine's strategic partners in the process of “electrification and green transition” and, at the same time, contribute to the country's inclusion in global supply chains for critically important resources.
The head of the Presidential Office, Andriy Yermak, also previously stated that the development of the Dobra lithium deposit could become the first project within the framework of cooperation with the United States.
As The Gaze earlier informed, Ukraine has taken its first step to implement its critical minerals deal with the U.S. by approving plans to open the Dobra lithium deposit to private investors, marking the first project under the April 2025 cooperation agreement.
The bidding process is expected to follow Production Sharing Agreements, with part of the revenues going to a joint U.S.-Ukraine investment fund and reinvestment into Ukraine’s economy. Key participants include U.S.-backed firm TechMet and billionaire Ronald S. Lauder, signaling strong American interest in Ukraine’s mineral sector.
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