Tsybulsky announced the Arkhangelsk region's plans to double diamond production

The Arkhangelsk Region plans to double diamond mining within the framework of a new project on geological exploration of subsoil. This was announced by the region's governor Alexander Tsybulsky on November 26 during a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

"We are one of the seven subjects, which from next year enter the project on geological exploration of subsoil on the principle of public-private partnership. <...> If today the Arkhangelsk region provides 20% of Russian diamond production, we expect to reach 40%," the head of the region said.

He pointed out that experts consider this goal to be feasible with a high probability. Tsybulsky stressed that the Arkhangelsk region produces good gem-quality diamonds, and therefore this industry is important for the region in terms of budgeting.

Earlier in the day, Tsybulsky said at a meeting with Putin that the region has a historically low unemployment rate of less than 1 percent. In addition, one of Russia's largest iodine water deposits has been discovered in the Arkhangelsk region, and a project to produce iodine is being launched in the region. This is very important, because previously this drug was imported.

Before that, on September 11, Putin suggested at a meeting with members of the government to think about restrictions on exports of strategic raw materials from Russia. The head of state emphasized that the country leads the world in such types of raw materials, for example, 55% of all diamond reserves on the planet are concentrated in Russia.