RIA Vostok-Media reports that by 2007 precious metals mining volumes are likely to have decreased by 25% due to gold and platinum resources exhausted condition. Such an announcement was made by the Minister of Natural Resources Gennadiy Pocheverin.

It is required to invest about $600 mln annually in order to improve the situation with precious metals resources. However, large investors are afraid of high risks and instability. That’s why the local authorities have decided to develop the programme of the regional mining industry aimed at investments attraction.