Lithium - - - bright spot for Ukraine

[ML]

 
Within five years, Ukraine will be a major world producer of lithium batteries for electric vehicles, Infrastructure Minister Volodymyr Omelyan predicts in an interview with UBJ.am. “We have the largest reserve in the world of lithium,” he says. Noting Ukraine’s proximity to the EU, he adds: “We have a special transport advantage. You can take a battery 5,000 miles from China to Germany, or 500 miles from Ukraine.” He notes that an electric battery for a BMW car can weigh 400 kg and represent 40% of the car’s value.

[alex330]

Of course....


"it is difficult to speculate about the potential of lithium mining because the reserves lay close to military operations"

[ML]

Biggest concentration of lithium in Ukraine is in Kirovograd oblast, which is not too close to  Donbass.

But, of course, every place within Ukraine is not too far apart.

[alex330]

Yea, my article did not mention the deposit location. Does not seem very close to the action.

[BillyB]

You can take a battery 5,000 miles from China to Germany, or 500 miles from Ukraine.” He notes that an electric battery for a BMW car can weigh 400 kg and represent 40% of the car’s value.

China probably can still ship it by boat cheaper than Ukraine can by train. Labor may be cheaper in China and they don't have to follow EU rules pertaining to pollution during manufacturing. Ukraine will have to prove themselves they can follow the rules if they want in. China also has stability.


Car manufactures are skeptical of doing business in a country that is unstable and full of uncertainty. If they do buy from Ukraine, they will be buying from other places too. They are going to have a backup plan. The last thing they need is their car business shut down over batteries due to manufacturing plant getting bombed.