Russia recorded a significant increase in silver reserves. According to the Ministry of Natural Resources, the volume of newly explored resources of the precious metal over a five-year period significantly exceeded actual production. In 2025, the positive dynamics continued – reserves increased by approximately 4 thousand tons. This figure was one of the highest in recent years.
The main contribution to the increase in the resource base was made by active geological exploration work on existing fields. Refinement of Noyon-Tologoy made it possible to increase its potential by almost 2 thousand tons, and refinement of the geological model of Peschanka added about 1.3 thousand tons of silver. An important achievement was the inclusion of Unkursky in the state balance deposits in the Trans-Baikal Territory, where not only significant reserves of silver were discovered, but also promising deposits of copper.
Investments in geological exploration are showing strong growth. Private investments in 2025 reached 36 billion rubles, which is more than 75% higher than in 2023. The state supported the early stages of exploration work, allocating about 2.5 billion rubles over three years.
Activity at auctions in the field subsoil use remains high. Based on the results of seven competitions held, the federal budget received over 6 billion rubles. Additional auctions are planned before the end of the year, including an auction for the right to develop deposits of precious metals in the Arkachan area.
The current silver resource base in Russia is estimated at 124 thousand tons, which are distributed among 610 deposits. More than 80% of all reserves are concentrated in the eastern regions of the country. The Trans-Baikal Territory holds the lead, containing in its depths more than a quarter of all-Russian silver resources. The steady growth of reserves strengthens Russia’s position in the global precious metals market.
The material was prepared with the support of the Russian Ministry of Education and Science as part of the Decade of Science and Technology.
Source: @globus_vnedra
Photo: finance.mail.ru
