The main iron ore reserves of Ukraine are concentrated in the Kryvyi Rih iron ore basin in the Dnipropetrovsk region and the Kerch iron ore basin in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea. Also, a significant part of iron ore reserves is located in the Kremenchutsk, Belozirsk and Mariupol iron ore districts. In Ukraine, iron ores are mainly represented by three geological and industrial types: rich magnetite-hematite-martite ores, ferruginous quartzites and oolitic brown ironstones.

In the Kryvyi Rih iron ore basin, rich ores are mined mainly underground, and ferruginous quartzites are mined mostly open and partially underground. Also, brown iron ore reserves are concentrated in this basin, which are not developed due to lack of demand for them. In the Kremenchug iron ore district, PJSC "Poltava Mining and Processing Plant" develops rich ores, easily beneficiated magnetite and cumingtonite-magnetite quartzites. Zaporizhzhia Iron Ore Combine PJSC operates in the Belozir Ore District, which extracts rich ores underground.

In the Kerch iron ore basin, there are explored reserves of lignite, the mining of which was stopped in 1992. Since then, the deposits have been under conservation. Data on the volume of changes in reserves and production of iron ore in the Kerch iron ore basin are currently unavailable due to the occupation of Crimea by Russia since 2014.

According to the data of DNVP "Geoinform of Ukraine", the balance reserves of iron ores amounted to 18,065.04 million tons as of 01.01.2021. The number of iron ore deposits in 2020 was 60. The largest amount of balance reserves of iron ores is in the Dnipropetrovsk region (8,781.52 million t or 48.61%), as well as in Poltava (5,038.69 million tons or 27.89%) and Zaporizhzhia (2,755.13 million tons or 15.25%) regions. of iron ores in Ukraine decreased by 4.10% compared to 2019. The volume of iron ore reserves decreased by 7.02% in Dnipropetrovsk region, by 3.45% in Zaporizhzhya and by 0.51% in Poltava region, while in Kirovohrad region, reserves increased by 4.78%.

If the ratio between the total level of reserves and the volume of production is maintained as in 2020, the supply of iron ore balance reserves will be 111 years.

As of 01.01.2020, respectively according to the data of DNVP "Geoinform of Ukraine", balance reserves of iron ores amounted to 18,836.46 million tons. In total, there were 60 iron ore deposits in Ukraine in 2019. The largest volume of balance reserves of Ukraine is in Dnipropetrovsk region (9444.05 million tons or 50.14%), in second place is Poltava region (5064.42 million tons or 26.89%), in third place is Zaporizhia (2853.70 million tons or 15.15%). Iron ore reserves are also located in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea (868.73 million tons or 4.61%), Kirovohrad (322.06 million tons or 1.71%) and Donetsk (283.50 million tons or 1.51%) regions.

In 2019, the total volume of iron ore balance reserves decreased by 0.22% compared to last year, in particular in Poltava Oblast - by 0.48%, Zaporizhia Oblast - by 0.36%, Kirovohrad Oblast - by 1.81%, Donetsk Oblast - by 0.18%.

The level of supply of Ukraine with balance reserves of iron ore can be defined as high. Provided that the volume of iron ore extraction is maintained at the level of 2019, the balance reserves will be enough for 120 years. iron ore, and balance reserves amounted to 18,877.24 million tons. More than half of Ukraine's balance reserves are concentrated in Dnipropetrovsk region, 26.96% - in Poltava region, 15.17% - in Zaporizhzhia. A smaller share of reserves is concentrated in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea (4.60%), Kirovohrad (1.74%) and Donetsk (1.50%) regions.

According to the data of DNVP "Geoinform of Ukraine", in 2020 a number of works were carried out on the geological and economic assessment of iron ore reserves, namely:

Some geological exploration works were mothballed during 2020. Mostly due to lack of funding. These include, for example, work on the sites "Exploration of the Gulyaipil deposit of iron quartzites", "Exploration of the Valyavka deposit of oxidized quartzites", "Exploration of the Popelnastiv deposit of oxidized ores" carried out by KP "Pivdenukrheology", as well as work on the exploratory assessment of three iron ore occurrences in the Middle Pobuzhye (Pishchanskyi, Saranskyi, Baibuzivskyi) carried out by SE "Ukrainian geological company".

During 2019, a number of significant geological exploration works of iron ore deposits were carried out in Ukraine, namely:

"Geoprof" LLC, in accordance with the technical task of "Rudomine" LLC, carried out a geological and economic assessment of the feasibility of developing iron ore reserves of the re-development of the fifth and sixth iron horizons of the "Pivdenny" quarry in the amount of 2,4137.6 thousand tons of category C2 iron ore reserves.

In 2019, a number of significant exploration works were under conservation. These are the works of SE "Ukrainian Geological Company" on the exploratory evaluation of Pishchansky, Saransky, Baibuziv iron ore manifestations of the Middle Pobuzhye. Works have been mothballed since 2011 due to limited funding. In 2019, the geological exploration works of KP "Pivdenukrheology" on the Gulyaipil, Valyavky, Popelnastiv and Chortomlyk deposits were also under conservation.

In 2018, the following significant geological exploration of iron ore deposits continued in Ukraine:

According to the data of DNVP "Geoinform of Ukraine", in 2020 the mining of iron ores was carried out in deposits where more than half (≈60%) of all explored reserves of Ukraine are concentrated. Extraction was carried out by 14 mining enterprises.

The main reserves of iron ore are concentrated in the Dnipropetrovsk region in the Kryvyi Rih iron ore basin. In 2020, the following enterprises engaged in mining there: JSC "Kryvorizk Iron Ore Combine" developed the Ternivska, Gvardiyska, Oktyabrska and Rodina mine fields; ArcelorMittal Kryvyi Rih PJSC developed the mine field named after Artem, Novokryvorizka and Valyavky deposits, PJSC Sukha Balka developed the fields of the Yuvileyna mines and named after Frunze. Mining and beneficiation plants were also engaged in production. Northern GZK developed the Pervomaiske and Hannivske deposits; Pivdenny was involved in the development of the Skelevatsko-Magnetite deposit; Inguletsky - deposits of Inguletsky. The Central Mining and Processing Plant in the Dnipropetrovsk Region developed the mine field named after Ordzhonikidze and the Velika Gleyuvatka deposit, and in Kirovohradska - Petrivske and Artemivske deposits.

PJSC "Poltava Mining and Processing Plant" engaged in mining in the Kremenchutsk iron ore district on the basis of Horishne-Plavninskoye and Lavrykivskoye deposits. Yeristiv Mining and Processing Plant LLC, which developed the Yeristiv deposit, was also involved in mining.

In the Bilozersky Ore District, iron ore mining was carried out by PrJSC "Zaporizhsky Iron Ore Combine" at the Southern Bilozersky and Pereverzivsky deposits

In 2020, the total volume of iron ore mining amounted to 163.30 million tons, which is 3.72% more than in 2019. In general, the volume of iron ore extraction gradually decreased from 2013 to 2018, and only during the last two years have positive dynamics been observed.

As in the previous year, the largest volumes of iron ores were mined in the territory of the Dnipropetrovsk region, namely 122.87 million tons or 75.24% of the total volume of mining in Ukraine. Mining of iron ores was carried out in Poltava region (29.53 million tons or 18.08%), Kirovohrad (6.52 million tons or 3.99%) and Zaporizhia (4.39 million tons or 2.69%) regions.

According to the data of DNVP "Geoinform of Ukraine", among the private enterprises with the largest volume of iron ore extraction in 2020 were PJSC "Southern Mining and Processing Plant" (29,879.40 million tons or 18.30% of the total volume of extraction in Ukraine), PJSC "Ingulets Mining and Processing Plant" (28 618.50 million tons or 17.52%), PJSC "Northern Mining and Processing Combine" (26,610.00 million tons or 16.29%), PJSC "ArcelorMittal Kryvyi Rih" (25,269.00 million tons or 15.47%). All these enterprises are located in the Dnipropetrovsk region.

The increase in the total volume of iron ore extraction in Ukraine in 2020 is mainly due to the increase in the volume of extraction at several of the largest enterprises. For example, at PJSC "Central Mining and Processing Plant" production increased by 1,029.00 million tons (by 8.72%) compared to 2019, at PJSC "Southern Mining and Processing Plant" - by 1,464.80 million tons (by 5.16%), at PJSC "ArcelorMittal Kryvyi Rih" - by 1 032.00 million tons (by 4.26%). A decrease in the volume of iron ore extraction was observed at two enterprises, namely at JSC "Kryvorizky Iron Ore Combine" and PJSC "Sukha Balka", where in 2020 977.40 million tons and 121.00 million tons were mined less than in 2019, respectively.

In 2019, iron ore mining was carried out on the territory of four regions of Ukraine: Dnipropetrovsk - 75.68% (119.15 million tons), Poltava - 17.71% (27.89 million tons), Kirovohrad - 3.83% (6.03 million tons), Zaporizhzhia - 2.78% (4.38 million). Iron ore mining in 2019 was carried out by 10 enterprises in 8 mines and 13 deposits. According to the data of the Geoinform Ukrainy DNVP, the largest volumes of production are attributed to PrJSC "Ingulets Mining and Processing Plant" (27,748.50 million tons), PJSC "Southern Mining and Processing Plant" (28,414.60 million tons), PJSC "Northern Mining and Processing Plant" (25,698.00 million tons), PJSC "ArcelorMittal Kryvyi Rih" (24,237.00 million tons).

The increase in the total volume of iron ore mining in 2019 by 3.14% is mainly due to the increase in the volume of mining at PJSC "ArcelorMittal Kryvyi Rih" - by 2,286.00 million tons more compared to 2018, PrJSC "Northern Mining and Processing Plant" - by 2,195.00 million tons, PJSC "Southern Mining and Processing Plant" - by 1,202.20 million tons. The largest decrease in the volume of production in absolute terms was observed at PrJSC Poltava Mining and Processing Plant - by 1,008.00 million tons "Northern Mining and Processing Plant") - for 2,321.00 million tons, Valyavky deposit (PJSC "ArcelorMittal Kryvyi Rih") - for 1,868.00 million tons, Skelevatsko-Magnetitovo (PJSC "Southern Mining and Processing Plant") - for 1,202.20 million tons.

The total volume of iron ore mining in 2018 decreased by 5.32% compared to the previous year and amounted to 152.65 million tons. Since 2014, there has been a tendency to decrease the volume of iron ore mining, in particular in In 2018, compared to 2014, 13.29% less iron ore was mined.

The largest volume of iron ore in 2018 was mined in Dnipropetrovsk region (74.22%, or 113.29 million tons). In second place is the Poltava region, on whose territory 19.14% or 29.22 million tons of iron ores were mined. Equally less iron ore was mined in Kirovohrad and Zaporizhia regions - 3.78% and 2.87%, respectively. Iron ore mining in 2018 was carried out by 11 enterprises in 8 mines and 14 deposits. The largest volume was produced by the following companies: PJSC "Southern Mining and Processing Plant" (27,212.40 thousand tons), PJSC "Ingulets Mining and Processing Plant" (27,043.14 thousand tons) and PJSC "Northern Mining and Processing Plant" (23,503.00 thousand tons).

Згідно з даними Держстату, загальна галузь видобування руд металів (видів економічної діяльності з кодуванням В07 «Добування металевих руд») протягом 2020 року реалізувала продукцію загальною вартістю 175 196,1 млн грн. За інформацією, отриманою у відповідь на запит від Держстату, у 2020 році було реалізовано неагломерованих залізних руд та концентратів вартістю у 96 614,01 млн грн. Вартість реалізованих у 2020 році агломерованих залізних руд та концентратів склала 60 167,18 млн грн. Всього у 2020 році було реалізовано промислової продукції з руд заліза на суму 156 781,20 млн грн.

У публічних джерелах інформації у 2019 році, відсутні дезагреговані дані про вартість продукції окремо галузі видобування руд заліза, у зв’язку з чим отримання такої інформації потребувало окремого запиту в Держстат. У відповідь на запит Незалежного адміністратора до Держстату у 2019 році було отримано дані щодо обсягу реалізованої продукції (товарів та послуг) за видами економічної діяльності за КВЕД-2010. Згідно з отриманими даними, загальна галузь видобування руд металів (видів економічної діяльності з кодуванням В07 «Добування металевих руд») протягом 2019 року реалізувала продукцію загальною вартістю 155171,18 млн грн. З них, реалізація продукції галузі видобування руд заліза (код КВЕД-2010 В07.1) становила 143 118,13 млн грн, або 92,23% від загального обсягу реалізації продукції всієї галузі видобування руд металів.

Галузь видобування руд металів має чітко виражену експортну орієнтацію, крім того, інформація про обсяги видобування та ціну продукції на міжнародних ринках є публічно доступною. Проте, більшість вітчизняних підприємств реалізують руди заліза з різним рівнем збагачення. Саме тому, розрахунок вартості видобування Незалежним адміністратором не проводився.

За 2018 рік у відкритих джерелах інформації Держстат не надає дезагреговані дані про вартість продукції галузі видобування руд заліза. Найбільш наближеною інформацією у відкритому доступі є показник вартості випуску товарів і послуг виду економічної діяльності «Добування металевих руд, інших корисних копалин та розроблення кар’єрів, а також надання допоміжних послуг у сфері добувної промисловості та розроблення кар’єрів» (код КВЕД-2010 – В07-В09), що становив 212 751 млн. грн. Проте ці дані є дуже агрегованими і охоплюють ряд галузей, серед яких руд заліза, руд марганцю, руд титану, глин вогнетривких, глин тугоплавких, піску кварцового, каміння будівельного.

Для отримання більш детальної інформації, Незалежним адміністратором було підготовано запит до Держстату щодо обсягу реалізації продукції (товарів та послуг) за видами економічної діяльності за КВЕД-2010 за 2018 рік.

Згідно з отриманими даними Держстату, галузь видобування руд металів (вид економічної діяльності В07 «Добування металевих руд») протягом 2018 року сумарно реалізувала продукцію загальною вартістю 142 962,67 млн грн. Вартість реалізованої продукції галузі добування залізних руд (вид економічної діяльності В07.1 «Добування залізних руд») становила 128 674,91 млн грн.

Розрахунок вартості Незалежним адміністратором не проводився через експортну орієнтацію галузі видобування руд металів та у зв’язку з реалізацією руд заліза з різним рівнем збагачення.

В ході звітування підзвітних компаній в рамках підготовки Звіту ІПВГ, загальна виручка підзвітних компаній галузі видобування руд заліза становила 116 809,76 млн грн (без ПДВ).

The volume of exports of non-agglomerated iron ores and concentrates in 2020 increased by 24.17% compared to 2019 and reached 30,857.32 thousand tons worth 2,542.24 million dollars. USA. Non-agglomerated iron ores and concentrates were exported to more than 20 countries, but most of them (61.69% of the total volume) were sent to China.

The volume of exports of agglomerated iron ores and concentrates also increased, but at a lower rate compared to non-agglomerated ores. In 2020, 15,435.52 thousand tons of agglomerated iron ores and concentrates were exported, which is 2.55% more than the same indicator of the previous year. The largest share was sent to China (53.85%) and Austria (14.46%).

The volume of iron ore imports in 2020 remained insignificant: non-agglomerated - 0.12 thousand tons worth 0.07 million dollars. USA, agglomerated - 0.78 t worth 4.82 thousand dollars. USA. Imports were carried out from 9 countries, including the Netherlands, Sweden, Russia, Ethiopia, and Germany.

The export volume of non-agglomerated iron ores and concentrates in 2019 amounted to 24,850.76 thousand tons worth 1,774.26 million dollars. USA and increased by 17.18% compared to 2018. The largest share was exported to China - 42.73% of total exports or 10618.91 thousand tons. The next countries in terms of export volume were Poland (18.68% or 4642.67 thousand tons), the Czech Republic (16.47% or 4642.67 thousand tons), Slovakia (8.17% or 2029.53 thousand tons) and others.

The volume of exports of agglomerated iron ores and concentrates in 2019 was 15,051.08 thousand tons, which is 4.12% less than the same figure in 2018. A significant share was exported to China (31.91% of total exports), as well as to Austria (16.17%), Germany (7.32%), Serbia (6.99%), Japan (6.91%) and other countries.

Import volume of non-agglomerated iron ores and concentrates in 2019 amounted to 0.28 thousand tons worth 0.12 million dollars. USA. Its decrease by 99.74% compared to 2018 is due to the cessation of supplies from Russia. The main suppliers were the Netherlands (76.50% of the total volume of imports) and Great Britain (23.25%).

The volume of imports of agglomerated iron ores and concentrates in 2019 amounted to 13.96 thousand tons. and increased more than 4 times compared to 2018. Almost the entire volume of imports was supplied from Russia.

In 2018, the volume of exports of agglomerated ores and iron concentrates amounted to 15,698.23 thousand tons worth 1,611.07 million dollars. USA. The volume of exports in 2018 increased by 5.06% compared to the previous year. As in 2017, the largest volume of agglomerated iron ores and concentrates was exported to Austria (16.25%) and China (15.21%), as well as Germany (9.78%) and Slovakia (9.92%).

Volume of imports of non-agglomerated iron ores and concentrates in 2018 increased by 53.23% compared to the previous year and amounted to 109.06 thousand tons. worth 7.98 million dollars. USA. Russia remained the main supplier, which accounted for the majority of the import volume - 99.80% (108.85 thousand tons).

Imports of agglomerated iron ores and concentrates decreased by 98.82% in 2018 compared to 2017 and amounted to 2.67 thousand tons. worth 316.06 thousand dollars. USA.