MINERAL RESOURCES IN NORTHERN REGIONS IN THE CONTEXT OF RUSSIA’S INDUSTRIAL TRANSFORMATION

• Published in: Север и рынок: формирование экономического порядка
• Main Author: Vitaly N. Lazhentsev
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English; Russian
• Published: The Russian Academy of Sciences, Federal Research Centre Kola Science Centre 2023
• Subjects: technological sovereignty; mineral resource economy; metal scarcity; northern regions; conditions for accelerated development; Social Sciences; H; Russian North
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.37614/2220-802X.3.2023.81.001; https://doaj.org/article/58bde3a04c5e42a4982dd427799e233c

The study explores the relationship between the mineral resources located in the Russian North and the general trends in Russia’s economic development in the context of the evolving geopolitical landscape. The reaction of the energy sector to drastic changes in foreign markets is evident in its pursuit of strategies aimed at optimizing hydrocarbon production, processing, and export volumes. Simultaneously, efforts are made to improve oil and gas extraction from the viewpoint of the production structure and geographic locations while preserving the coal industry’s status as a cornerstone of the national economy. The challenges of sanctions and import substitution necessitate accelerated development within the mining and metallurgical sector, with a focus on Russia’s technological sovereignty. This study identifies the fundamental prerequisites for progress in the mining sector considering the unique characteristics of Northern regions, among which are intersectoral planning, scientific and technological innovation, and territorial cooperation. Of particular importance is the recalibration of intersectoral balances for non-ferrous and rare-earth elements, which is necessary to mitigate the current temporal and spatial disparities in the growth rates of geological exploration, mining, and manufacturing industries. Scientific and technological advancements are aimed at solving problems in areas such as multipurpose resource use with the extraction of associated elements, mining safety, and environmental protection. The author’s proposal for the formation of territorial production holdings, inclusive of research and development institutes, production facilities, and other enterprises, aligns with the economic and geographical concepts of geosystem and complexity. The study adopts a unified approach, merging mobilization strategies with evolutionary economic practices.