Current trends and prospects in Russia’s rare earth metals industry
Abstract
Relevance. The new wave of industrialization, driven by high-tech sectors, relies on rare earth metals, whose production is technologically complex. This makes a country’s global position dependent not only on the size of its reserves but also on its ability to maintain them in pure form.
Research Objective. The study seeks to identify key trends in extraction, production, and consumption of rare earth metals in national and global markets, and to assess prospects for developing this industry in Russia.
Data and Methods. The analysis relied on desk research methods, including data collection, interpretation, and synthesis. The main sources were the US Geological Survey and Russian State Reports on the condition and use of mineral resources for 2022–2023.
Results. Rare earth metals are gaining strategic importance in emerging technologies. In the case of Russia, the analysis identified several obstacles to developing its rare earth industry: uneven distribution of deposits; fragmented production and processing chains; a limited share in global extraction despite significant reserves; a domestic consumption structure that differs from global trends; fluctuations in world prices; supply constraints related to natural and secondary raw materials and processing technologies; and high investment risks in the sector.
Conclusions. To overcome these challenges and achieve technological sovereignty, Russia must expand its rare earth industry by reducing dependence on foreign suppliers, relying on domestic resources, and aligning domestic demand with supply. Stronger state involvement and the creation of integrated production and technological chains are essential to meet the needs of the national economy and ensure sustainable industrial development.
Keywords
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.15826/recon.2025.11.3.016
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