Shevchenko deposit
{{Infobox mine
| name = Shevchenko deposit
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| pushpin_map = Ukraine
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| coordinates = {{coord|47.90934024130994|N|36.71259779377212|E|display=title, inline}}
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| state/province = Shevchenko, Donetsk Oblast
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| products = Lithium
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The Shevchenko deposit, or Shevchenko Lithium Deposit, located in Shevchenko, Donetsk Oblast, Ukraine, is a significant lithium-bearing resource primarily hosted within pegmatite formations.{{cite web | last=Hilgeman | first=Michiel | title=Russian Army Inches Towards Large Lithium Deposit in Ukraine | website=Kyiv Post | date=2025-01-08 | url=https://www.kyivpost.com/post/45044 | access-date=2025-02-26}}
Geology
Discovered in the mid-20th century during regional geological surveys, it lies within the Ukrainian Shield—a crystalline basement complex known for rare-metal mineralization. The deposit is characterized by spodumene and lepidolite as the main lithium-bearing minerals, often associated with quartz, feldspar, and minor tantalum-niobium oxides.{{cite web | last=Warner | first=K. | title=Russia seizes Ukrainian lithium mines | website=Metal Tech News | date=2025-01-22 | url=https://www.metaltechnews.com/story/2025/01/22/tech-metals/russia-seizes-ukrainian-lithium-mines/2111.html | access-date=2025-02-26}}
Geological studies indicate a proven lithium oxide (Li₂O) reserve of approximately 1.2 million metric tons, ranking it among Eastern Europe's largest hard-rock lithium resources. The ore body extends to depths of 150–200 meters, with an average Li₂O grade of 1.3–1.5%, suitable for open-pit mining.{{cite web | title=Shevchenko Field of Lithium Ores | url=https://www.geo.gov.ua/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/SHEVCHENKIVSKE_license.pdf | access-date=2025-02-26}}{{cite journal | last1=Naumenko | first1=Uliana | last2=Vasylenko | first2=Svitlana | title=Prospects of Development of Lithium Resource Base in Ukraine | journal=InterConf | issue=99 | date=2022-02-20 | volume=19 | issn=2709-4685 | doi=10.51582/interconf.19-20.02.2022.072 | pages=652–658}}
Despite its potential, large-scale exploitation has been limited due to historical underinvestment in Ukraine's critical mineral sector. Recent global demand for lithium-ion batteries has spurred exploration agreements between the Government of Ukraine and international mining firms. Environmental assessments and infrastructure development (e.g., processing plants) are ongoing, aiming to position Shevchenko as a strategic supplier for Europe's renewable energy transition.{{cite journal | last1=Nate | first1=Silviu | last2=Bilan | first2=Yuriy | last3=Kurylo | first3=Mariia | last4=Lyashenko | first4=Olena | last5=Napieralski | first5=Piotr | last6=Kharlamova | first6=Ganna | title=Mineral Policy within the Framework of Limited Critical Resources and a Green Energy Transition | journal=Energies | publisher=MDPI AG | volume=14 | issue=9 | date=2021-05-07 | issn=1996-1073 | doi=10.3390/en14092688 | doi-access=free | page=2688}}{{cite journal | last1=Lennon | first1=Alison | last2=Jiang | first2=Yu | last3=Hall | first3=Charles | last4=Lau | first4=Derwin | last5=Song | first5=Ning | last6=Burr | first6=Patrick | last7=Grey | first7=Clare P. | last8=Griffith | first8=Kent J. | title=High-rate lithium ion energy storage to facilitate increased penetration of photovoltaic systems in electricity grids | journal=MRS Energy & Sustainability | publisher=Springer Science and Business Media LLC | volume=6 | issue=1 | year=2019 | issn=2329-2229 | doi=10.1557/mre.2019.4 | doi-access=free | url=https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1557/mre.2019.4.pdf | access-date=2025-02-26 | page=}}{{cite web | last=Tức) | first=o Tin | title=EU loses Donbass lithium mine, new challenge for green ambitions | website=baohaiduong.vn | date=2025-01-12 | url=https://baohaiduong.vn/en/eu-de-mat-mo-lithium-donbass-thach-thuc-moi-cho-tham-vong-xanh-402836.html | access-date=2025-02-26}}
Challenges
The deposit's development faces challenges, including the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the need for sustainable extraction technologies to minimize ecological impacts on surrounding agricultural lands.{{cite web | author=Tiash saha | title=Russia accelerates lithium mining expansion to counteract Western sanctions | website=Investment Monitor | date=2025-02-24 | url=https://www.investmentmonitor.ai/news/russia-lithium-mining-expansion/ | access-date=2025-02-26}}