Russia is currently implementing measures to expand its rare and rare earth metals industry. Total rare metals production is expected to increase to approximately 16,000 t/y by 2021 and to about 53,000 t/y by 2035.

Growth in REE output is planned through continued exploitation of the Lovozero loparite deposit and the development of two new deposits: Zashikhinskoye (columbite) and Tomtorskoye (pyrochlore–monazite–crandallite). Industrial processing of phosphogypsum, a REE-bearing by-product of phosphate fertilizer production, is also expected to commence.

These raw material sources will also underpin expanded niobium production, including 1,000 t/y Nb₂O₅ from Zashikhinskoye columbite for ferroniobium production, and up to 10,000 t/y Nb from Tomtor concentrates. Tomtor rare earths are planned to be produced as oxides, including 3,500 t/y of didymium (Nd–Pr mixture) and 2,500 t/y of medium and heavy REE concentrates. A hydrometallurgical processing plant in Krasnokamensk is scheduled for commissioning in 2025.

Tantalum production growth is expected through increased processing of loparite concentrate to 24,000 t/y and utilization of Zashikhinskoye columbite (200 t/y Ta₂O₅). Columbite and zircon concentrates from Zashikhinskoye will be processed at the Krasnokamensk chemical-metallurgical plant, planned for launch in 2024.

Production of rare earth oxides (REO) used in high-coercivity magnets (Pr₂O₃, Nd₂O₃, Tb₂O₃, Dy₂O₃) is planned to increase steadily, supported initially by loparite and phosphogypsum, and after 2025 by large-scale processing of Zashikhinskoye and Tomtor concentrates.