Russia heavily dependent on imported equipment in exploration and mining, exceeds 80% in some cases - Accounts Chamber

MOSCOW. April 13 (Interfax) - Russia's Accounts Chamber considers it necessary to pay special attention to resolving the issues of import substitution in the area of subsoil use and to consolidate the efforts of all interested parties, and Accounts Chamber Auditor Sergei Mamedov expressed this position during a meeting of the State Duma Committee on Ecology, Natural Resources and Environmental Protection.

"A substantial rise in demand is forecast for all 17 types of scarce strategic raw materials in 2030, including critical raw materials. Meantime, the share of import-dependent equipment and technological solutions in the exploration and mining sector is high, and it exceeds 80% in some cases," Mamedov said.

Mamedov also noted that the results of intellectual activity in the area of reproduction and processing of solid minerals are not in sufficient demand.

Mamedov further noted the improvement in the situation with executing budget assignments in terms of developing the mineral resource base: "This was 91.8% in 2020, and it was already more than 99% in 2022."