Siberian Branch Russian Academy of Sciences:

A. A. Pakhomov, Doctor of Economic Sciences, Deputy Chairman of the Yakut scientific center

North Eastern Federal University named after M. K. Ammosov:

Yu. G. Danilov, Candidate of Economic Sciences, Director of the Information-analytical Centre «Expert», gawrilewish@mail.ru

V. P. Grigoriev, Candidate of Economic Sciences, Researcher of the Information-analytical Centre «Expert»

The article considers the current state of rare metal industry in Russia and prospects of its further development. In Russia no complex rare-metal industry, and the level of consumption of rare earth metals is at the level of underdeveloped countries. Meanwhile, the development of high-tech innovation and nanotechnology impossible without rare earth metals (REM) and elements. Currently Russia has to import them. Analysis of the global market of rare earth industry shows that the share of Russia in it is disproportionately small considering the available resources of raw materials. Annual demand in the world in rare earth metals is estimated to be between 118 to 125 thousand tons. Of these, China produces 113 thousands of tons (more than 90% of the market), as the absolute world leader. Second-placed India produces 2,7 thousands of tons Prominent suppliers of rare earth metals are Hong Kong, Belgium, Austria, the Netherlands, Norway. Russia among exporters REM occupies the lowest place — less than 0.01% of the share of world exports. The only field in Russia, from ores which are extracted (along with other components) rare earth, mainly cerium group — Lovozerskoe loparite. In Tomtorskoe niobium-rare-earth deposit, located in the North of the Sakha Republic (Yakutia), the content of rare earths in ores reaches phenomenal performance — 12%. While known reserves are estimated at 150 million tonnes, and inferred - almost more than the world all reserves. Currently as a result of a favorable situation on the world market of rare metals and rare-earth elements due to sharply rising demand, and most importantly the uniqueness of the field in the quantitative and qualitative parameters, the development of Tomtorskoe deposit became popular. The Tomtor rare metals Deposit in Yakutia will create a cluster of global significance.

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