Rare earth metals in Russia

Main article: Metallurgy in Russia

Rare earth metals

Main article: Rare earth metals

2025

Approval of the plan for the development of the rare and rare earth metals sector

The Government of the Russian Federation approved a plan for the development of the sector of rare and rare earth metals, synchronized with the corresponding federal project. It includes three key redistributions: mining, metallurgical and high-tech. A list of investment projects has been defined for each, regulatory measures, financial support, protection of the domestic market and expansion of international cooperation are provided. This was announced in December 2025 by First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov.^[1]

Russia has developed a technology for cheap extraction of rare earth metals, without which it is impossible to produce electronics

Scientists of the Siberian Federal University have created economical methods for the production of rare earth metals used in the production of electronic components. This became known in October 2025. Read more here

Russia's largest rare earth deposits

Reserves of 29 types of useful minerals Russia in amount to 658 million tons, including 28.5 million tons of rare earth metals. Such data was published on February 26, 2025. Ministry of Natural Resources The agency clarified that the key fields of strategic resources are located in different regions of the country and have high industrial potential.

The largest rare earth metal deposits in Russia include:

• Lovozerskoye field (Murmansk Oblast) is the main industrial source of rare earths, including tantalum, niobium, lanthanum and cerium.
• The Tomtorskoye deposit (Republic of Sakha, Yakutia) is one of the richest in the world in terms of rare earth metals and the largest in terms of niobium reserves.
• The Kholtosonskoye field (Trans-Baikal Territory) is the largest vein-type deposit in Russia.
• Kovdorskoye deposit (Murmansk region) - contains apatite-nepheline ores with rare earth elements.
• Fedorovo-Pansky massif (Murmansk region) is one of the world's largest deposits of platinum group metals.
• Khibinskaya group of deposits (Murmansk region) - contains significant reserves in apatite-nepheline ores.

According to Business Gazeta, rare metals include 14 types of minerals: lithium, rubidium, cesium, beryllium, scandium, indium, gallium, germanium, zirconium, hafnium, vanadium, niobium, tantalum and rhenium. The category of rare earth metals includes: samarium, yttrium, lutetium, dysprosium, holmium, erbium, praseodymium, tulium, lanthanum, cerium, ytterbium, terbium, neodymium, gadolinium, europium and promethium.

The raw material base of rare earth metals in Russia is characterized by a high geographical concentration - about 46.1% of the reserves are concentrated in nine objects of the Murmansk region. The Lovozerskoye field accounts for 25% of the region's reserves.

Russian President Vladimir Putin announced the country's readiness to offer the United States cooperation on rare earth metals, including in Donbass and Novorossiya. After the accession of new territories, Russia gained access to additional reserves of valuable mineral resources.^[2]

2024

Growth in the production of alkali and rare earth metals by 15.5% to 7.6 million tons

In 2024, the volume of production of alkaline, alkaline-land and rare-earth metals, as well as mercury in the Russian Federation reached 7,551,1 tons. This is evidenced by the data of Alto Group experts, with whom TAdviser got acquainted in February 2026. The indicator showed an increase of 15.5% compared to 2023, which is due to the expansion of production, processing of strategic raw materials and an increase in the industry's need for high-tech materials.

The dominant position in the industry was occupied by the Volga Federal District, which accounted for about 94.7% total output (about 7,152,1 tons). The leadership of the region is explained by the concentration of large processing capacities, developed infrastructure and access to technological resources.

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Фото: Freepik

The rest of the federal districts, including Central, Siberian and Ural, provide insignificant production volumes, which are focused mainly on meeting local demand and maintaining regional supply chains.

Among the key factors that determined the dynamics of the market in 2024, experts distinguish:

• increasing demand for rare earths from high-tech sectors at home and abroad;
• modernization of existing and commissioning of new processing lines;
• improvement of technologies for extraction of metals from raw materials;
• Optimizing logistics through geographic concentration of capacity
• tightening environmental safety and quality control requirements.

According to analysts at Alto Group, the prospects for the development of the sector are assessed positively. The main burden of production, in their opinion, will be concentrated in the Volga District as a center of competence.

Strategic areas include further expansion of capacities, the introduction of innovative processing technologies, increasing energy efficiency, increasing export potential and strengthening the position of Russian producers in foreign markets.^[3]

Fifth place in rare earth metal reserves

2023: Consumption of rare earth metals in Russia for the year increased to 1.42 thousand tons

The consumption of rare earth metals (REM) in Russia in 2023 increased to 1.42 thousand tons. This became known in August 2024. This indicator, according to the Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation, is part of a long-term strategy aimed at increasing the use and production of rare earth metals in the country. Consumption growth continues amid efforts to reduce dependence on imports and develop domestic production.

Russia plans to double its domestic consumption of REM by 2030 - up to 3 thousand tons. The main areas of use of rare earth metals are the oil and gas industry, renewable energy sources, the glass industry and optics. In 2023, 830 tons of REM were spent on oil and gas processing, including elements such as lanthanum, cerium and itrium. Another 200 tons went to the needs of renewable energy sources (RES), where samarium and neodymium are in demand. The glass industry and optics used 100 tons of rare earth metals such as lanthanum, cerium and ytterbium.

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Фото: Freepik

Despite the vast reserves of rare earth metals, which make Russia the second largest in the world in reserves, production of these resources in the country remains relatively weak, according to the Ministry of Industry and Trade. In 2023, it accounted for only 2% of global production. However, the development of this industry is a priority for the government, and by 2030 Russia plans to fully provide itself with rare earth metals, increasing production to 7.5 thousand tons per year.

With the growth of domestic demand in Russia, measures are also being taken to reduce dependence on imports. Currently, about 90% of rare earth metals required for domestic enterprises are imported from abroad. However, Rosatom, which implements projects in this area, predicts that by 2025 this dependence could be reduced to 50%. It is also expected that the volume of production of rare earth metals in Russia will grow to 2.7 thousand tons in 2025.^[4]

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