Over a month ago, Ukraine agreed with the US on a strategic agreement to share its mineral reserves. The government is now taking the first steps to implement the agreements: it is preparing to launch a tender for the development of the large state-owned lithium deposit "Dobra" in the central regions of the country.

This decision provides that private investors will be able to participate in the extraction of the critical raw material for the creation of batteries. The government has already approved technical requirements and recommendations for an open tender among interested companies.

"Dobra" is considered one of the largest lithium deposits in Ukraine. Its development is an important stage in the implementation of the agreement with the US, which provides for the creation of a joint investment fund. Half of the revenues from mining will go to the fund, and half to the state budget of Ukraine, while the United States will also receive its share of the profits.

Potential bidders include a consortium of investment company TechMet, which has ties to the US government, and businessman Ronald S. Lauder, who had already expressed interest in developing the project in late 2023. It was then that these investors urged the Ukrainian authorities to announce a tender for the development of Dobroya as soon as possible.

Government officials, who wished to remain anonymous, note that the final preparation of the tender documentation will take several weeks. At the same time, they do not rule out that at any stage the process may be suspended or adjusted depending on the domestic political situation and the progress of negotiations with the American side.

The announcement of the tender is the first concrete action within the framework of the agreement, which former President Donald Trump positioned as “compensation” for US support for Ukraine during the war. The tender for "Dobra" should demonstrate to the US administration that Kyiv is able to quickly implement agreements and ensure mutually beneficial cooperation.