Developing the Dobra deposit using mining method allows preserving agricultural land, says Oleksii Sobolev

To reduce environmental risks, Dobra Lithium company plans to mine the Dobra lithium deposit using a more expensive and environmentally friendly mining method rather than open pit mining. This will preserve the vast majority of agricultural land. Oleksii Sobolev, Minister of Economy, Environment, and Agriculture of Ukraine, told in an interview with one of the media outlets.

Before starting work, the investor under the production sharing agreement (PSA) must conduct a new environmental impact assessment. The procedure also includes a public discussion stage, when anyone can express their concerns and suggestions. The results of the procedure will be a conclusion that determines the conditions for planned activities and the potential impact on the ecosystem.

According to Oleksii Sobolev, the key advantage of Dobra Lithium's application was its highly professional, reasoned and large-scale project proposals. The decision was made not only on the basis of the absolute amount of investment. In particular, it was based on a set of nine criteria, including an assessment of the work program, the volume of investment, the technological and financial capacity of the investor, budget revenues, and the level of involvement of Ukrainian goods and works.

“The development of the Dobra field could be the first project under the Ukrainian-American subsoil agreement. However, this is not mandatory, but optional. Investors will have the opportunity to submit their projects for consideration by the U.S.-Ukraine Reconstruction Investment Fund,” added Oleksiy Sobolev.

Attracting investors from the U.S. increases international attention to Ukraine and creates additional security guarantees for the country. This opens up unprecedented opportunities for Ukraine to enter the highly competitive and high-tech global lithium industry.