L. Fituni, I. Abramova Resource Potential of Africa and Russia's ...

significant part of biotic resources (i.e. obtained from biosphere, like
forest and other flora resources, animals, fish and other marine bioresources)
will thus remain beyond the scope of our analysis. In fact,
we exclude a huge proportion of abiotic resources as well (land/soil,
water, air, etc).
In fact, except for occasional exclusions, the study deals with
geological resources of Russia and Africa. In this respect, we recognize
our limitations, and that our research is incomplete. However,
the authors do not doubt that even the current limited scope of
analysis provides a reasonably true picture of practical opportunities
open for Russia and Africa.
Natural resources potential of Russia is over 20% of the world’s
reserves. This fact places Russia in a special position among industrialized
countries. Natural resources used by the economy of Russia
account for 95.7% of the national wealth. There are large deposits of
fuel and energy resources: oil, natural gas, coal and uranium ore.
Russia is ranked first in the world by gas reserves (32% of world’s
reserves, 30% of world production), the second in oil production
(10% share of world production), the third – in coal reserves (22
coal basins, 115 fields, including those in European Russia – about
15.6% in Siberia – 66.8% in the Far East – 12.9%, in the Urals –
4.3%). In terms of reserves of iron ores Russia occupies the first
place, in tin – the second, lead – the third. Russia also occupies a
leading position in the world in wood provision. In 2010, according
to assessments of American intelligence sources, Russia was the
richest country in gold reserves.
In Russia, there are five major oil and gas provinces located in
European part of the country and in Western Siberia in 10 regions
and 11 provinces and republics: West Siberian, Volga-Urals, Timan-
Pechora, the North Caucasus and the Caspian Sea area.
In addition, iron, nickel, copper, aluminum, tin, polymetals,
chromium, tungsten, gold, and silver ores are mined. There is a great
variety of non-metallic ores: phosphates, apatites, talc, asbestos,
mica, potash and salt, diamonds, amber, precious and semiprecious
stones. Very common are construction materials: sand, clay, limestone,
marble, granite and other materials.
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