Inside a Ukrainian Titanium Mine: A Possible Target for Donald Trump’s Interests | World News
The landscape resembles that of an extraterrestrial world.
Towering, sharp mounds of earth create ridges surrounding massive frozen lakes within a sweeping terrain of sandy soil and giant craters.
An open-pit titanium mine in Ukraine
Reminiscent of scenes from Star Wars, an enormous rectangular machinery equipped with a long metallic arm, chain, and massive scoop, excavates earth from one of the expansive pits, swinging to unload its cargo onto a nearby mound of dirt.
This site is one of Ukraine’s open-pit titanium mines—a natural resource Donald Trump might be interested in as he strategizes a deal with Kyiv to access Ukrainian minerals, rare earth elements, and other raw materials.
Situated in the Zhytomyr region in the northwest, this site is operated by Group DF, an international conglomerate founded by a Ukrainian entrepreneur.
The mine in the Zhytomyr region, run by Group DF
‘We’ve hardly scratched the surface’
The mining director explained to Sky News that extracting all the titanium ore within Ukraine would require at least 200 years—likely more.
At this site alone, excavation has been ongoing for 15 years and they have barely made a dent.
“Ukraine is undoubtedly Europe’s hub for titanium,” stated Dmytro Holik, who holds the title of director of mining and concentrating plant at Group DF.
“Our facility produces around 15,000 tonnes of ilmenite each month, totaling about 200,000 tonnes per year,” he noted, with one tonne valued at approximately $250.
Dmytro Holik, director of mining and concentrating plant at Group DF
Foreign investment can be a ‘game-changer’
Ilmenite is a black iron-titanium oxide mineral and represents the primary titanium ore—a highly useful material employed in a variety of products from paint to dental implants.
As a lightweight and durable metal, it also holds significant value in weapon manufacturing.
Nonetheless, the titanium sourced from the Zhytomyr site is exclusively utilized in civilian applications.
Mr. Holik expressed interest in welcoming American or other international investments in Ukraine to enhance its capability to leverage its mineral wealth.
“There’s a wealth of raw materials available,” he mentioned. “Currently, our local investors simply lack the financial means to initiate large-scale factories, deep-processing facilities, and advanced technologies…
“If a major international investor with a long-term vision—one looking beyond a mere five to ten years, perhaps for 40 to 50 years—could step in, it would be transformative.”
He emphasized that Ukraine possesses a wealth of expertise—scientists, engineers, and other skilled professionals.
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Group DF has spent 15 years at the site, making little progress on extraction
“What Ukraine requires now is substantial investment and advanced technologies to be developed through partnerships.”
He asserted that this would allow mines to modernize and enhance their mineral extraction capabilities.
However, Mr. Holik stressed the importance of ensuring that any investment arrangement is advantageous for Ukraine.
Map illustrating Ukraine’s mineral resources
“The investor could be a private individual, a governmental body, or even international entities—what’s crucial is the protection of the people,” he noted.
“It’s about guaranteeing that I, my family, and my fellow citizens can work with assurance for the future. It’s aimed at ensuring the country’s security. Ideally, part of the profits would be allocated toward defense and security, allowing Ukraine to safeguard itself.”
Additionally, Ukraine’s president intends to leverage his forthcoming agreement with Mr. Trump—anticipated to be signed on Friday during their meeting at the White House—to secure American military assistance against Russia in the event of a ceasefire arrangement.
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Sky News was given an exclusive look at the mining operation to observe the titanium ore extraction process from the sand.
A massive excavator—used to dig through the initial layer of grass-covered clay—reaches depths of about 15 meters where the ilmenite is located.
This journey can take approximately six months to reach that level.
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The excavator subsequently operates for another six months, meticulously scooping massive volumes of sand—around 20 tonnes with each scoop—to depths ranging from 15 to 20 meters.
This sand contains varying concentrations of titanium ore, from 1% to 10%.
The ore is mixed with water and transported through extensive piping systems connecting to two processing plants.
In one of these facilities, the titanium undergoes enrichment to approximately 70% purity.
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Next, it is transferred to a second facility where it is dried in massive rotating tubes, followed by separation using magnetic and electrical processes to achieve 97% purity. At this stage, the titanium is prepared for export.
Once mining is completed in a given area, the company asserts that they refill the excavated sites to mitigate any long-term environmental impacts.
“After we have extracted all the valuable minerals, and the remaining material returns from the processing plant—while it’s true that 100% of the material is sent there, only 5% is the valuable titanium ore—the remaining 95% is brought back, spread out, and the land is restored,” Mr. Holik explained.
“We will replant trees.”
