Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered the government to prepare a detailed roadmap for the extraction of rare earth minerals by December.
The directive is part of Russia’s broader plan to strengthen its economy by reducing dependence on foreign countries for critical minerals used in modern technologies such as smartphones, computers, and electric vehicles.
Putin emphasized the need to quickly establish local research centers and processing industries that will handle the exploration, mining, and refining of these rare earths to ensure Russia becomes self-sufficient in this vital sector.
Experts believe this move will boost Russia’s economic resilience and global influence in the rare earth market, especially as demand for these resources continues to rise worldwide.