Resource potential of one of Earth’s final remaining frontiers: the Siberian Platform

Abstract

The Siberian Platform, covering a vast area of East Siberia (Russian Federation), represents one of the largest underexplored regions in Asia. Previous expeditions and regional surveys in the 20th Century, however, suggest that the Siberian Platform and adjacent orogenic belts hold significant potential for large undiscovered gold, copper, diamond and industrial mineral deposits, along with extensive oil and gas fields. The remoteness of the region, inhospitable winter climate, and major lack of modern infrastructure and mining methods, have long hampered exploration in this area. These factors, along with the additional investment required and political uncertainties involved with operating in Russia, have deterred many international mining companies from considering the Siberian Platform as a viable region for exploration and mining. However, as mining industry paradigms change into a green, battery metals-driven commodity sector, and modern mining methods are developed, increasing efficiency at a lower cost, the significant undiscovered mineral potential of the Siberian Platform could elevate the region to the forefront of mineral exploration and mining in the future.