Alexander Lukashenko . Photo: Pavel Bednyakov /AFP/Getty Images
President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko has instructed the country’s experts to start searching for rare earth metal deposits,Euronews.com reports . The decision was made shortly after talks between the US and Ukraine on strategic mineral resources.
According to state media, Lukashenka gave relevant instructions to Deputy Prime Minister Yury Shuleika, stressing that Belarus should not remain geologically “underdeveloped”. “This is the number one issue today,” he said, emphasising the importance of finding rare earth metals, which are key to renewable energy and modern technologies. “There are not many of them in the world. Perhaps we have as much as others,” he added.
In addition, the Belarusian leader instructed geologists to look for new oil and gas deposits.
Rare earth elements, including titanium and lithium, include 17 metals that are widely used in the production of smartphones, electric vehicles and other high-tech devices.
According to Euronews, Lukashenka’s decision is related to the fact that US President Donald Trump has been trying to conclude a deal with Ukraine on the supply of rare earth metals. His main goal is to reduce the US dependence on China, which is the world’s largest producer of these strategic resources.
