Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko has directed officials to ramp up geological exploration in search of rare earth minerals, an area he says has been largely neglected in Belarus.
This development was reported by state-owned agency Belta on March 4.
Belarus' Untapped Potential?
Speaking to government officials, Lukashenko noted that Belarus’ geological sector is underdeveloped, with little effort made to explore the country’s potential deposits of rare earth elements.
He referenced recent global discussions on rare earth mining, particularly in the United States, where former President Donald Trump has prioritized securing these critical materials.
“Only Trump talks about rare earth metals in the United States. You haven’t thought about this yet,” Lukashenko said. “There’s never too much of it in the ground. Maybe we have just as much as others?”
According to Lukashenko, the search for rare earth minerals is now a top priority for the government, instructing officials to conduct comprehensive surveys.
“They say we have rare earth minerals in our stockpiles. We need to explore everything else—chemicals, oil, gas, and more,” he stated. “I have already assigned this task to the relevant minister.”
He specifically directed the Minister of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection to accelerate geological surveys, adding that Belarus must "dig and see what resources we have in our land."
A Reaction to Ukraine’s U.S. Mineral Talks?
Lukashenko’s sudden push for mineral exploration comes at a time when Ukraine and the U.S. have been negotiating a rare earth minerals deal, which would have granted American companies access to Ukrainian mineral resources in exchange for investment and security assurances.
But the planned agreement was canceled after tensions flared between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Donald Trump during their recent meeting.
With Ukraine still holding significant untapped reserves of rare earth metals, Belarus may now be looking to position itself as an alternative supplier.
Why Rare Earth Minerals Matter
Rare earth elements are crucial for modern technology, including electronics, electric vehicles, and military hardware.
China dominates the global supply chain, leaving the West searching for alternative sources.
If Belarus discovers deposits, it could gain strategic leverage in international markets.
