Belarus sets sights on rare earth riches under Lukashenko's watch
Belarusian leader Alyaksandr Lukashenko, like American president Donald Trump, desires access to rare earth metals. The self-proclaimed leader from Minsk plans to initiate the exploration of these future resources within his country.
Belarus's President Alexander Lukashenko announced the need to begin searching for rare earth metals in his nation. Lukashenko stressed that this issue is critical and requires immediate action.
During a meeting with government officials, Lukashenko asserted that Belarusian geologists should enhance their efforts to uncover these valuable resources. "This is a very pressing matter," he stated, as quoted by the BelTA agency. He also remarked that geological research in Belarus is currently lacking and requires improvement.
Rare earth metals. Lukashenko mobilises his geologists for exploration
Donald Trump had previously expressed a desire to secure access to Ukrainian rare earth metals in exchange for military support for Kyiv. However, the agreement was not ratified, and the discussions concluded with a disagreement between the Ukrainian president and American leaders.
Lukashenko speculated that Belarus might possess resources similar to those of other countries, making intensive exploration both sensible and necessary. "We must excavate, we must discover what lies beneath our soil," he emphasised, highlighting the future importance of these initiatives.
Rare earth metals comprise a group of about fifteen elements known for their high conductivity and reactivity. These include titanium, lithium, uranium, graphite, beryllium, and manganese. They are never found individually but always coexist with other minerals.
Rare earth metals are crucial raw materials in many industries. They are used in electric motors, which are essential for the production of hybrid cars, and in LED lights.
