Government approves tender for production sharing agreement on Dobra deposit

On 27 August, the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine approved a decision to hold an open tender for a production sharing agreement (PSA) for the Dobra lithium deposit in Kirovohrad region and set the tender conditions.

“We are actively working to transform Ukraine’s resources into a foundation for modern industry. This tender is part of a broader strategy to create comprehensive clusters around critical mineral deposits. Our focus is not just on extraction but on systematically developing high-value-added products – from processing technologies to finished goods,” said Minister of Economy, Environment and Agriculture Oleksii Sobolev.

The tender for the Dobra PSA is open to Ukrainian and foreign companies, legal entity associations, and private participants with sufficient financial and technical resources and experience in mineral extraction and processing.

Residents or companies from aggressor states, jurisdictions under sanctions, or those violating existing subsoil use obligations are not permitted to participate.

Applications, submitted in written and/or electronic form, must include details about the participant, their subsoil use experience, work programme, investment commitments, environmental safety measures, and social development plans. Participation requires a UAH 500,000 fee.

A special commission will evaluate proposals based on clear criteria: work programme and technological solutions, investment size and terms, product-sharing proposals, environmental measures, financial capacity, industry experience, and social investment plans.

The PSA winner will sign a 50-year agreement with the state, committing to at least USD 179 million in investments. This includes funding for geological exploration, extraction, and processing. The agreement also mandates compliance with environmental standards, use of Ukrainian goods and labour, and investments in local communities.

Next steps:

• Publication of the tender announcement in official print media and on the Ministry’s website within 2 months;
• Acceptance of investor applications for three months following publication;
• Selection of the winner through a transparent and competitive evaluation.

The tender launch is a key step in developing Ukraine’s modern mineral resource sector and integrating into global supply chains for critical minerals.

The Dobra lithium deposit tender under the PSA mechanism is a pioneering project for solid minerals and a signal of Ukraine’s openness to strategic raw material markets.

Background

Lithium is a critical raw material for battery production, used in electric vehicles, energy storage systems, and various modern technologies.