Russia holds the seventh-largest global reserves of rare earth metals, with 28.4 million tons. Natural Resources Minister Alexander Kozlov stated the country's raw material base can satisfy all domestic and export demands, producing 2,200 tons annually against a domestic consumption of 1,100 tons.
Russian Natural Resources Minister Alexander Kozlov stated that a decline in subsoil users' investment in hydrocarbon exploration in 2025 was primarily due to reduced exploration drilling volumes, the main expense for companies. This trend was observed in the Ural, Siberian, and Volga federal districts.
Russia's population is generally supplied with underground water, but distribution is uneven, with several regions facing shortages due to natural factors and permafrost. Large cities rely on surface water, and the government funds exploration for water-deficient areas.
Russia plans to increase its gold production to 480-500 tons and silver production to 2,800-3,000 tons in 2026, according to Natural Resources Minister Alexander Kozlov. This represents a potential increase of about 3% for gold and 7% for silver.
Demand for air travel between Russia and North Korea is increasing, with flights from Pyongyang to Moscow experiencing high load factors. Russian Natural Resources Minister Alexander Kozlov anticipates growing interest in flights from Moscow to Pyongyang, driven by rising tourist demand.
