Russia is a leading world producer of oil, natural gas and electricity, among other resources. Confirmed reserves make Russia the world's leading country in terms of hydrocarbons, gold, precious metals, diamonds and timber.
Unlike some of the other republics of the ex-USSR, Russia has not opened its resources up to foreign concerns. It does not wish to lose any control to Western multinationals. They are consequently underexploited owing to a lack of investment and technology. Most of the major resources are also located in national territories such as Tatarstan and Sakha Yakutia in Siberia. The regions' desire for greater autonomy has turned the ownership of these resources into a delicate political issue.
