CURRENT STATE OF THE MINERAL AND RAW MATERIAL BASE OF COPPER DEPOSITS IN UKRAINE AND PROSPECTS FOR THEIR DEVELOPMENT AS CRITICAL RAW MATERIAL OBJECTS

• Datum: 2026
• Hauptverfasser: Василенко, А.П., Сукач, В.В., Сюмар, Н.П.
• Format: Artikel
• Sprache: Ukrainisch
• Veröffentlicht: Institute of Geological Sciences, NAS of Ukraine 2026
• Schlagworte: copper mineralisation; critical raw materials; metallogenic polygons; GSEU project; native copper of Volyn; copper-bearing sandstones of the Bakhmut Basin
• Online Zugang: http://geojournal.igs-nas.org.ua/article/view/361078
• Назва журналу: Geological journal

Copper is one of the most important non-ferrous metals and plays a crucial role in industry, construction, electrical engineering, and modern energy systems. In Ukraine, copper ores are officially classified as strategic minerals and critical raw materials, making their development a national economic priority in the context of the global energy transition, as well as for strengthening the country’s defence capabilities. Currently, no copper deposits with industrially assessed reserves have been identified in Ukraine. However, more than 150 occurrences and prospective areas at various stages of exploration have been documented, which could potentially be reclassified as deposits in the future. These sites are located within the Ukrainian Shield, the Volyn–Podillia Plate, the transition zone between Donbas and the Dnipro-Donetsk Basin, and the Carpathian Folded Region. Although forecast resources have been officially estimated for some areas, most occurrences are currently characterised only by preliminary author assessments and therefore require further detailed investigation. Based on the results of this study, eight major metallogenic polygons of copper mineralisation have been identified. Within each polygon, ore-bearing formations were analysed nd the main geological, industrial, and mineral types of mineralisation (native copper, stratiform, magmatic sulphide, etc.) were distinguished. The current state of geological exploration of these polygons has been assessed, and their prospects for development as a potential resource base of critical raw materials for the European market have been evaluated.