Ukraine belongs to the world-class regions most rich in mineral resources. About 20 thousand mineral deposits and occurrences of 117 minerals types are found in subsurface of the country. Of these, 8761 deposits and 1288 recorded sites for 95 minerals types are of commercial value and are in the Recorded mineral reserves (the state balance) , while 3055 deposits are in production.

In recent years, the large amount of iron, manganese, ilmenite-zirconium, uranium ore, as well as coal, graphite, kaolin, refractory and fire clay, flux, cement raw materials, facing and building stones are being mined in Ukraine. The use of modern technologies facilitates increasing production of energy resources – oil and natural gas. And at the local level, the use of peat is increased as an alternative source of energy.

Mineral complex provides a significant share of the gross national product. About 48 percent of the industrial potential of the country and 20 percent of its workforce are related to the extraction and use of mineral resources. These figures are close to those of developed countries with strong mining industry where from 20 to 40 percent of total investment and 20 percent of the workforce are concentrated.