From geological records and samples to international technical dialogue and field-study preparation.
Behind DLE Field System is the team’s work: reviewing archives, checking source data, coordinating laboratory studies and exploring development pathways. This page presents selected milestones from that work.
01
Geology & research
Archives, well records, samples and preliminary resource scenarios.
02
International dialogue & preparation
Technology meetings, academic discussions, legal preparation and working arrangements.
Selected milestones
Team development record · May 2025 — July 2026
Milestones shown: 19
May 2025
International dialogue & preparation
Arizona: academic and mining-sector engagement
As part of a Ukrainian delegation, the team visited Arizona’s academic and technology ecosystem. Discussions covered mineral-resource research, extraction technologies and their potential application in Ukraine.
Milestone details
The programme included Arizona State University and Grand Canyon University / Canyon Ventures, alongside dialogue with University of Arizona researchers. Topics included mining and processing technologies, research programmes and engagement between Ukrainian and U.S. specialists.
Work product: Academic and technology contacts established for further work on the Ukrainian project.
May 2025
International dialogue & preparation
Stanford, California: from a visit to technical dialogue
A visit to Stanford University and participation in a research seminar opened a substantive dialogue on selective lithium recovery and membrane processes for Ukrainian brines.
Milestone details
In June, the dialogue continued through an online meeting with Tarpeh Lab and an exchange of analytical materials. Technical feedback addressed lithium concentration, impurities, brine pretreatment and possible areas for research collaboration.
Work product: Technology-validation questions refined through external scientific feedback.
May–June 2025
International dialogue & preparation
U.S. investment and technology dialogue
The team explored ways to engage U.S. technology and investment partners in Ukrainian DLE development, from research to field-pilot preparation.
Milestone details
Discussions covered technology-provider introductions, access to research support and capital, and possible participant roles. Working proposals are not presented as executed investment agreements or funding secured. In 2025, the team developed the Ukrainian DLE project concept and discussed its technology prerequisites.
Work product: Working proposals prepared to advance international collaboration.
July 2025
International dialogue & preparation
Canada / Calgary: industry programme
The team visited a DLE developer’s facility and continued technical discussions on Ukrainian brines.
Milestone details
Follow-up work addressed compatibility with brine chemistry, the process output and possible collaboration models.
Work product: A focused set of technology-assessment questions.
July 2025
Geology & research
Building the geological evidence base
The geological team compared maps, sections and archival records to identify priorities for further investigation.
Milestone details
Records were reviewed in their geological context, with attention to target formations and representative sampling.
Work product: Initial priorities for investigation and sampling.
August–September 2025
Geology & research
Laboratory collaboration with the Semenenko Institute
Analytical programme development began with the M. P. Semenenko Institute of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, covering water and core samples, sample preparation and lithium analysis by ICP-MS.
Milestone details
The M. P. Semenenko Institute of Geochemistry, Mineralogy and Ore Formation, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, contributed to the laboratory workstream. The team coordinated sample requirements and analytical methods to test geological assumptions.
Work product: An analytical programme and sample-handling requirements developed.
October 2025
Geology & research
Digitising and cross-checking records
Archival tables were progressively converted into working digital formats and cross-checked against well records.
Milestone details
The work included checking data provenance and linking analytical information to the relevant subsurface intervals.
Work product: A structured basis for further geological analysis.
October 2025
International dialogue & preparation
Shaping the technology pathway
The team worked with an international DLE developer on project stages, intended deliverables and materials for further discussion.
Milestone details
The team refined research stages and questions for technical verification. No formal technology partnership is announced.
Work product: A clearer sequence towards technology testing.
October–November 2025
International dialogue & preparation
Reviewing permitting pathways
An analytical report on possible DLE development pathways in Ukraine was received and followed by clarification discussions.
Milestone details
The team reviewed alternative routes and developed questions for the next stage. Analytical work does not constitute a permit or an approved resource assessment.
Work product: A dedicated legal workstream within project preparation.
March 2026
Geology & research
Preparing the first target area
The team advanced preparation of the first target area by reviewing geological evidence, well records and the practical requirements for further investigation.
Milestone details
Work focused on target selection, data requirements and the sequence of field investigation. This was preparatory work, not a permit award, drilling start or DLE commissioning milestone.
Work product: Defined tasks for progressing the first target area.
March 2026
International dialogue & preparation
Regulatory review and barrier identification
Through working engagement with the relevant public authorities, the team examined the project’s regulatory framework and the application of Ukraine’s Subsoil Code, identifying issues affecting progression to fieldwork.
Milestone details
The review considered permitting routes, geological-study requirements and prerequisites for subsequent work. Feedback informed the development roadmap; this does not imply government approval of the project.
Work product: Regulatory barriers and follow-up questions identified for the next phase of legal preparation.
March 2026
International dialogue & preparation
London: industry and working meetings
A team representative attended ENVEXX and held in-person meetings with resource and technology specialists.
Milestone details
After the London meetings, discussions continued around Ukrainian brine data and approaches to an exploration programme.
Work product: Industry contacts developed into substantive working dialogue.
March 2026
International dialogue & preparation
Academic discussion of the concept
An introductory online session explored the Ukrainian DLE initiative and potential areas for academic engagement.
Milestone details
Discussion covered research support and technology validation. It did not establish an institutional partnership or a joint research project.
Work product: Research questions brought into external discussion.
March–April 2026
Geology & research
A focused archival research campaign
A focused campaign reviewed geological reports and systematically recorded findings, corrections and data gaps.
Milestone details
The team checked original sources, identified duplicate records and clarified inconsistencies in document references and geological content.
Work product: Refined inputs for further target prioritisation.
April–May 2026
International dialogue & preparation
Broadening the technology dialogue
Project materials were shared with several international teams to discuss brine requirements, further studies and potential collaboration.
Milestone details
Technical discussions with Atana and other international developers addressed brine requirements and the research programme. This is dialogue, not an announcement of a selected supplier.
Work product: A broader set of technical questions and collaboration options.
March–May 2026
Geology & research
Continuing laboratory studies
Work with the M. P. Semenenko Institute continued through further sample submissions and receipt of a report on lithium concentrations in water samples.
Milestone details
Analytical results informed source-data review and geological interpretation. Chemical characterisation remains distinct from DLE process testing and is not presented as proof of industrial extraction performance.
Work product: Laboratory data added to the geological assessment.
May–June 2026
International dialogue & preparation
Refining legal and project preparation
Background materials and a working roadmap were discussed with legal advisers, who provided preliminary comments on next steps.
Milestone details
Discussion addressed sequencing, prerequisites and the scope of further work. It does not imply adopted legislation or regulatory approval of the project. Project preparation in 2026 also covered organising materials in an internal project data room.
Work product: Clarified questions for subsequent legal work.
May–June 2026
Geology & research
Preliminary resource scenarios
Geological work was consolidated into preliminary resource-potential scenarios to guide the next phase of investigation.
Milestone details
The scenarios serve a research and planning purpose. They are not presented as proven reserves or an independently certified resource estimate.
Work product: A working basis for prioritising further studies.
June–July 2026
International dialogue & preparation
Strategic dialogue and the next phase
Discussions with technology teams covered the next research programme and a working roadmap.
Milestone details
Work focuses on technical prerequisites for the next stage. No investment or technology-supply commitments are announced.
Work product: A basis for further substantive discussions.
Expertise brought together around the project
Geology & subsurface
Archive interpretation, basin analysis and research prioritisation.
Well engineering
Working with well data and planning approaches to representative sampling.
Technology assessment
Matching DLE process requirements to brine characteristics and the testing programme.
Project coordination
Bringing geological, laboratory and legal work into a coordinated development programme.
Private materials, site data and negotiation terms are not disclosed. Institutional references describe the engagement undertaken; they do not imply endorsement or investment commitments.
