Ukraine natural resources and minerals

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Ukraine has an abundance of coal, natural gas, iron ore, manganese, kaolin clay, rock salt, nickel, and titanium.

The country has rich reserves of iron ore, bituminous and anthracite coals, and manganese-bearing ores located in close proximity to each other in Donetsk Coal Basin. This region, in east-central Ukraine, is industrial heartland of Ukraine and one of the major heavy-industrial and mining-metallurgical complexes of Europe.

Ukraine is also an important producer of natural gas and petroleum, though reserves of these fossil fuels were partly depleted during the Soviet period. The Donetsk is the most urbanized, and russified area of Ukraine. The key cities of Donetsk are Kharkiv (Kharkov), Dnipropetrovsk (Dnepropetrovsk), and Donetsk.

Empty ore mountains in Donetsk coal basin

Empty ore mountains in Donetsk coal basin photo

Besides its basic mining industries, Donetsk Basin has highly developed ferrous-metals industries that produce iron and steel in large quantities. Durable goods manufactured in Donetsk Basin include mining and metallurgical equipment, diesel locomotives, and tractors.

Ukrainian chemical industry produces large amounts of coke, mineral fertilizers, and sulfuric acid. Ukrainian food-processing industries yield granulated sugar and meat, fruit, and dairy products. Light industry and consumer goods sectors of Ukraine are underdeveloped in comparison to its heavy industry and agriculture.

Donetsk oblast scenery

Donetsk oblast scenery photo