The State Commission of Ukraine on Mineral Resources and Volynpryrodresurs: Visit to the Amber Plant
On 10 October 2025, immediately following the conclusion of the Tenth International Scientific and Practical Conference “Subsoil Use in Ukraine: Investment Prospects”, a delegation of the State Commission of Ukraine on Mineral Resources, headed by its Chair, visited the Amber Plant in the Volyn region. The guests were personally welcomed by Anatolii Kapustiuk, Director of the municipal enterprise Volynpryrodresurs, who shared insights into the Plant’s operations and highlighted its role in shaping a modern amber industry in Ukraine.
This visit became a logical continuation of the productive discussions held during the Conference and took place in an atmosphere of shared interest in the development of legal amber extraction and the rational use of amber deposits in the Volyn region.
During the visit, Anatolii Kapustiuk provided a detailed overview of the technological process of washing, sorting and storage of amber. He noted that the raw amber recovered during the washing process is classified by size fractions and quality groups in accordance with the Classifier of the State Gemological Centre of the Ministry of Finance of Ukraine (DKDK, ISSN 2079-1186, September 2025). Following classification, the amber is transferred to specially equipped storage facilities, where it is preserved under optimal conditions to ensure its quality and integrity.
Uniqueness of the Plant and Its Technologies
The Amber Plant is a full-cycle amber facility, integrating extraction, washing, sorting, quality assessment and preparation for sale. Its technological lines comply with international quality control standards.
During the tour, members of the State Commission on Mineral Resources had the opportunity to observe the operational processes first-hand and to handle unprocessed amber.
One of the highlights of the visit was the presentation of exclusive amber specimens discovered during extraction on the licensed sites operated by Volynpryrodresurs. Amber stones weighing over 500 grams are considered rare; currently, more than 70 such exceptional specimens are stored at the facility, with a total weight of 53.332 kilograms. Each stone is individually assessed by an expert commission of the State Gemological Centre, which prepares a detailed description, photographs the specimen and issues its official “passport”.
Among the collection, a rare white heart-shaped amber, known as the “Heart of Volyn”, stands out as a unique find with no known analogues. This stone has become a symbol of the natural beauty and geological wealth of the Volyn region.
During the inspection of finished products, particular attention was drawn to amber necklaces and jewellery in a wide range of shades, from classic honey tones to rare milky-white hues. The exhibits also included pieces with unique inclusions, as well as beads containing visible grains of sand, creating natural and distinctive patterns within the stone. Such specimens demonstrate that each piece of amber possesses its own character and beauty, regardless of colour or transparency, and that it is precisely this natural diversity that makes Volyn amber especially valuable and recognisable.
The Amber Plant also plans to establish an interactive exhibition museum, featuring geological sections with carbonised remains, demonstrations of the amber formation process, and a display of exclusive specimens. This project will not only promote Ukrainian amber on the international stage, but will also serve as an educational centre for local residents, schoolchildren and foreign delegations. Future plans include thematic guided tours and lectures highlighting the geological history of the Volyn region and the significance of amber as both a cultural and economic resource.
International Recognition and Economic Contribution
Volyn amber has gained international recognition. Following the first auctions organised by the enterprise to promote legally extracted amber, major companies from China, Poland and Lithuania began approaching Volynpryrodresurs. The enterprise sells amber through direct contracts, and certain grades are marketed at prices exceeding those set by the Gemological Centre’s Classifier, owing to their exceptional quality and precise sorting.
In 2023, Volynpryrodresurs ranked among the top ten corporate income tax contributors in the Volyn region, placing sixth, and made a substantial contribution to the regional budget. These revenues are allocated to the financing of social programmes, infrastructure development and support for local communities.
Product sales are conducted under strict customs control both in Ukraine and abroad, ensuring full legal compliance and a strong international reputation. As noted by Anatolii Kapustiuk, regular expert assessments by the State Gemological Centre guarantee that exported amber fully complies with the declared size fractions and quality grades. In addition, a certificate of origin issued by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Ukraine confirms that the amber has been legally extracted within licensed areas.
“Our amber is already recognised on the global market, and this positively affects demand,” Kapustiuk emphasised.
Volynpryrodresurs also places strong emphasis on maintaining environmental balance. Following the completion of extraction activities, land reclamation works are carried out at the sites, while the application of modern technologies helps to minimise environmental impact.
Expression of Appreciation
The municipal enterprise Volynpryrodresurs of the Volyn Regional Council sincerely thanks the State Commission of Ukraine on Mineral Resources for the visit and for the constructive cooperation.
We highly value the professionalism, openness to dialogue and the contribution of the Commission’s representatives to the development of Ukrainian geological science, the reform of the subsoil use sector, and the strengthening of the investment potential of the country’s mineral resource base.
We are grateful for the attention given to the activities of our enterprise, for the support of initiatives aimed at the rational use of subsoil resources, and we look forward to continued constructive partnership in support of the sustainable development of the industry.