Trends and prospects for the development of non-ferrous metallurgy in the Russian Federation

Non-ferrous metallurgy is a vital sector of the Russian economy, producing products in demand both domestically and globally. Large deposits of non-ferrous metals are found in various regions of the Russian Federation, where metallurgical plants have been built and are operating. Russia is currently a world leader in the production of high-quality nickel, copper, and aluminum. Non-ferrous metallurgy products have become a significant component of Russian exports, but they are also in demand in other sectors of the national economy: construction, mechanical engineering (including electronics), energy, and several others. Since 2022, the non-ferrous metallurgy industry in Russia has faced significant challenges due to external restrictions imposed by the West. There are problems exporting products to a number of countries, procuring necessary materials, and difficulties with cargo insurance and payments. As a result, the vector of cooperation between companies has shifted from the West to the East. The purpose of the study is to study the development of non-ferrous metallurgy in the Russian Federation and identify current problems of its development, directions for their solution. The analysis concluded that the production growth rate for heavy metals, magnesium, titanium, silver, and aluminum products declined between 2021 and 2024. Production of most metals also continued to decline in 2025. To further develop the industry, it is necessary to diversify the metals distribution system, focus on developing domestic consumption to avoid critical dependence on exports, and increase the processing depth of non-ferrous metals.