Rare Earth and Critical Metals of the Kryvyi Rih Region: From Fundamental Research to International Consortia

The Scientific Research Mining Institute of Kryvyi Rih National University (SRMI KNU) has many years of experience studying rare earth and critical elements in the iron ore deposits of Kryvbas and Ukraine.
The Kryvyi Rih iron ore basin is not only the largest in Europe by iron reserves. The geological formations of the region hold significant potential for rare earth and critical minerals, which are of strategic importance to Europe’s green and digital transformation. This very question has been at the heart of SRMI KNU’s scientific research for a considerable time.
The Institute has accumulated a unique database of geological, mineralogical and analytical data on rare earth elements (REEs) and other critical mineral resources in Ukraine’s iron ore raw materials. Our researchers systematically study the complex utilisation of deposits, sustainable extraction, and the closed-loop circulation of critical materials.
International Recognition and Horizon Europe Applications
Evidence of the international standing of this work is SRMI KNU’s participation in two major Horizon Europe programme consortia:

ROX-6G — “Robotic 6G Exploration for Critical Raw Materials” (coordinator: Aalborg University, Denmark; 15 organisations from 9 countries);
NewMINE — “Novel and Sustainable Technologies for the Efficient Mining of Critical Materials” (coordinator: TU Bergakademie Freiberg, Germany; 21 organisations from 10 countries).

Applications for both projects have been officially submitted to the competition. Together with KNU and LLC Kryvbas Eco-Technologies, SRMI forms a powerful Kryvyi Rih cluster within key scientific and industrial Horizon Europe partnerships — alongside such organisations as KU Leuven (Belgium), VTT (Finland), Luleå University of Technology (Sweden) and Montanuniversitaet Leoben (Austria).
Recognition on the World Stage: Paris Peace Forum 2025
Further confirmation of the Institute’s international standing came through its participation in the Paris Peace Forum 2025 (29–30 October, Paris) — one of the world’s most prestigious platforms for showcasing innovative solutions in the service of peace and sustainable development. SRMI KNU’s project “Reducing Emissions from Quarry Blasting” (DECARBUST technology) was selected among the 30 best projects chosen from 328 applications submitted by organisations from 80 countries — and was the sole Ukrainian project among the finalists. This vividly demonstrates that the scientific developments of the Kryvyi Rih region extend far beyond its boundaries and are capable of addressing global challenges in the fields of environmental protection and resource security.
If your organisation is interested in joint research or joining future consortia — we invite you to open a dialogue.
📩 Contact for international cooperation enquiries: Dr Viktoriia Tkachuk, Head of International Programmes, SRMI KNU