The CIS Mining Industry in a Transition Period with Special Reference to Finnish Mining Prospects

The structural changes of the CIS mining industry have far-reaching consequences not only for the national economies of the member states but for the entire international metal market. Political instability and absence of a detailed and modern mining legislation make difficult a coordinated strategy for the development of the mining sector. Over the next years up to the year 2000, an accelerated and widespread diffusion of western modern mining technology and big investment into the CIS mining industry seems to be improbable. A comparative view on the common problems of the mining industry on the CIS and in developing countries resembles the latters situation during the 1960's and 1970's. The general objective of Finland's cooperation with the CIS mining sector should be to secure appropriate balance of supply of mineral raw materials. In particular, this will permit further technological development of the mining industry in Finland regarding the specific conditions of the CIS mining sector. Two regions are of particular interest from the Finnish perspective: Karelia and the north-west region of Russia. Cooperation with the CIS mining industry is essential to the long-term security and economic health of Finland.