Natural Resources

Russia has one of the greatest reserves of natural resources in the world. So why don't we hear more about Russian resources being used? Probably because they're way off in Siberia. The remoteness of these resources makes them expensive to mine.

So what resources does Russia have, anyways?

Minerals! Russia may hold as much as half of the world's coal reserves, and even larger amounts of petroleum. They also have about 40% of the world's supply of natural gas.

Ferrous metals! Iron ore deposits south of Moscow near the Ukrainian border contain so much iron ore that they have actually caused a deviation in the Earth's magnetic field. Russia also has adequate quantities of manganese, nickel, tungsten, cobalt, molybdenum and other iron-alloying elements.

Non-ferrous metals! Mostly copper, but there's a smaller amount of aluminum as well. The North Caucasus contains a large amount of lead and zinc ores, which are commonly found with copper, silver, gold, and a bunch of other rare metals. Russia has one of the largest gold reserves in the world, and mercury deposits can be found in the southern and central Urals and in south central Siberia.

Raw minerals! Potassium, magnesium salt and apatite (not to be confused with appetite). Rock salt can be found in the southwestern Urals, and sulfur can be found in the Urals and in the middle of the Volga valley

I suppose it shouldn't be such a surprise that Russia contains such a large amount of natural resources. Being REALLY REALLY BIG helps, I'm sure.