Natural Resources of Russia: The Complete List

Spanning eleven time zones and a huge range of climates, Russia’s landscape supports everything from vast forests and fertile fields to major mineral basins. Those natural endowments help explain the country’s role in global food, energy and raw-material markets.

There are 22 Natural Resources of Russia, ranging from Arable land to Uranium. For each resource we list Amount (typical unit),Main regions,Russia share / global rank so you can compare scale and location — you’ll find those details below.

How current and reliable are the numbers for each resource?

Data quality varies by resource: agricultural and forestry stats are often updated annually by national agencies, while estimates for minerals and fuel reserves rely on geological surveys and international bodies (e.g., USGS, IEA) and may be revised after new exploration. Always check the date and source for each entry to understand confidence and methodology.

Which resources are most important for Russia’s economy and exports?

Hydrocarbons, metals and timber drive exports and state revenue, but importance depends on market demand and prices; energy (oil, gas) typically dominates export value, while grains leverage large arable areas. The table below helps you see both regional concentration and Russia’s global rank for each resource.

Natural Resources of Russia

Images and Descriptions

Crude oil

Crude oil fuels Russia’s export economy and domestic industry. Large western Siberian and offshore fields drive production, but extraction and spills risk Arctic ecosystems, permafrost thaw, and greenhouse gas emissions that raise climate and local environmental concerns.

Natural gas

Natural gas is central to Russia’s energy exports and domestic heating. Massive Siberian fields supply Europe and Asia; pipeline and liquefaction projects matter economically. Methane leaks, Arctic disturbance, and pipeline risks raise major environmental and climate concerns.

Coal

Coal underpins heavy industry and electricity in Russia and serves major export markets. Large open‑pit and underground mines create air, water pollution and landscape damage; coal combustion contributes significantly to greenhouse gas emissions and local health impacts.

Forests (timber)

Russia’s boreal forests supply timber, pulp and ecosystem services including carbon storage and biodiversity. Logging and fires—often intensifying with warming—threat habitats and release carbon, while sustainable management is increasingly important for climate goals.

Freshwater (renewable)

Abundant rivers and lakes support drinking water, irrigation, hydropower and fish. Industrial pollution, over‑extraction, dam impacts and climate shifts threaten water quality, river flow regimes and vulnerable ecosystems like Lake Baikal.

Fisheries (wild catch)

Marine and freshwater fisheries are vital for domestic food security and coastal economies. Overfishing, bycatch, pollution, and warming seas pressure stocks; management and enforcement shape long‑term sustainability and community livelihoods.

Arable land

Rich chernozem soils support grain, oilseeds and livestock production. Agriculture underpins rural economies and exports, but soil erosion, fertilizer runoff, and land degradation present environmental challenges, especially under changing climate patterns.

Peatlands

Peatlands store vast carbon and supply fuel and horticultural peat. Drainage and peat extraction release greenhouse gases and damage habitats; fires on dried peat are a significant source of carbon emissions and local air pollution.

Iron ore

Iron ore supplies domestic steelmaking and export markets. Major mines around the Kursk basin power heavy industry but generate habitat loss, dust and water contamination; tailings management and reclamation are persistent environmental concerns.

Nickel

Nickel is critical for stainless steel and batteries. Russia’s Norilsk operations are economically vital but infamous for pollution, acid runoff and major spills; mining and smelting emit sulfur dioxide and heavy metals damaging local ecosystems.

Copper

Copper supports construction, electronics and industry. Mining and smelting create soil and water contamination risks from tailings and acid drainage; new projects balance resource value with impacts on remote landscapes and indigenous communities.

Gold

Gold mining is a major export and regional employer, with large open‑pit and placer operations. Environmental concerns include cyanide and mercury use, habitat destruction, permafrost impacts and water pollution near sensitive Arctic and subarctic ecosystems.

Diamonds

Russia is a leading diamond producer by carat, important for state revenues and regional jobs. Kimberlite mining alters tundra and permafrost areas; rehabilitation, water use and impacts on indigenous communities and fragile Arctic environments are key issues.

Palladium

Palladium from Russia is vital for catalytic converters and electronics. Extraction in nickel‑platinum deposits yields economic rents but generates heavy metal pollution and sulfur emissions; geopolitical supply concerns also shape markets.

Platinum

Platinum group metals are economically important for industry and catalysts. Mining and smelting pose pollution risks and require careful waste management; operations in Arctic zones raise environmental and social considerations.

Bauxite (aluminium ore)

Bauxite supplies domestic aluminium smelting and downstream industry. Mining disturbs landscapes and generates red mud waste; energy‑intensive smelting raises greenhouse gas concerns and ties aluminium economics to electricity and environmental policy.

Uranium

Uranium fuels civilian nuclear power and has strategic importance. Mining and milling create radioactive and chemical waste management challenges; safe storage, tailings containment and legacy site remediation are long‑term environmental priorities.

Potash (K salts)

Potash fertilizers are essential for global agriculture; Russian potash supports domestic use and exports. Mining creates brine and waste risks; responsible water and soil management is important to prevent salinization and ecosystem harm.

Phosphate rock

Phosphate rock underpins fertilizer production and food security. Mining and processing can cause heavy metal and radioactive element release; tailings and runoff management are key for protecting water and soils.

Limestone (industrial)

Limestone and dolomite are essential for cement, construction and industry. Quarrying alters landscapes and dust, noise and runoff impact local ecosystems and communities; reclamation and dust control reduce environmental footprints.

Sand & gravel (aggregates)

Aggregates fuel construction booms across Russia. Extraction from rivers and pits can change waterways, erode banks, and destroy habitats; sustainable sourcing and site rehabilitation help mitigate local environmental damage.

Limestone dimension stone & marble

Dimension stone supplies building and monument industries. Quarrying scars landscapes and affects cultural and natural sites; careful planning, rehabilitation and community input are important to minimize visual and ecological impacts.

Natural Resources of Other Countries