Mineral Resource Institute CEO Kazanov replaces Petrov as head of Russian Mineral Resources Agency

MOSCOW. Oct 22 (Interfax) - Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin has signed an order to appoint the CEO of the All-Russian Mineral Resource Institute (VIMS), Oleg Kazanov as the new head of the Federal Mineral Resources Agency (Rosnedra), the government press service reported.

Former Rosnedra head Yevgeny Petrov has been dismissed at his own request, the press service said.

Kazanov was the chief geologist at VIMS in 2017-2019 and became head of the institute in 2020. "Under his leadership [the research institute] became one of the largest geological and exploration services contractors in Russia and provided expert support for Rosnedra's activities," the press service said.

Kazanov taught at the St. Petersburg State University from 1996 to 2003. He worked at KMGC (Bema Gold) in 2004-2008 and served as chief geologist at OJSC Central Kola Expedition in 2009-2016.

Petrov was appointed head of Rosnedra in the middle of 2021, prior to which he served as deputy head of the agency from 2020, after serving in various positions at Rosnedra and the Natural Resources Ministry since 2014. From 2005 to 2014, he held executive positions at oil and gas companies, where he was responsible for exploration and resource base development.