State geological exploration radically changes priorities. The focus is now not so much on gold and diamonds, but on copper, zinc and lead, as well as other types of raw materials that are critical for industry and import substitution.
The Russian exploration industry is launching a major overhaul of its operations. According to the head of Rosnedra Oleg Kazanov, priorities are being systematically reviewed within the framework of federal programs. The main goal is to provide the industry with the necessary raw materials, relying on strategic and scarce minerals.
Traditional highly liquid assets such as gold, are gradually losing primacy in government plans. The focus is now on non-ferrous and so-called “industrial” metals. First of all, we are talking about copper, lead and zinc. Their strategic importance for the country’s economy has increased sharply in the new conditions. Experts believe that it is these types of raw materials that will form the basis for future government assignments for geological prospectors.
At the same time, the state is increasing its efforts to find scarce mineral resources, which Russia has until now been forced to purchase abroad. The dynamics of this process are impressive: in just four years, from 2021 to 2025, the number of exploration sites aimed at finding just such raw materials has quadrupled.
Thus, the new strategy is formed under the influence of two key factors. Firstly, this is a targeted reorientation of government resources to study deposits, capable of replacing imports and strengthening technological sovereignty. Secondly, there is a structural shift within the category of profitable resources itself. Now, planning takes into account not only liquidity, but also the critical importance of metals for the development of the entire domestic industrial complex – from mechanical engineering to electronics and construction.
These changes mean that geological exploration in Russia is becoming more pragmatic and focused on the specific needs of the economy. Accelerated search for strategic raw materials should create a reliable resource base for future industrial growth and reduce dependence on external supplies.
Source: @globus_vnedra
