The main minerals of the Samara Region

The Samara region, located on the East European Plain in the middle reaches of the Volga, is a rich land. Minerals of the Samara region are represented by almost all the most popular resources, from oil to rock salt and hydro resources.

Geographical location

Occupying a territory of 53.6 thousand square kilometers, which is 0.31% of the territory of Russia, and located on the East European platform, the Samara region is of practical interest as a mining location for mining and technical raw materials. The region stretches for 335 kilometers from north to south and 315 kilometers from west to east.

In the northern part of the Samara region is covered with broad-leaved and coniferous forests, and in the south and east of this unique region, the steppes are mostly located. One of the most beautiful places in the Russian Federation, which is the largest mountain range in the region, is located in the bend of Samara Luke. These are the famous Zhiguli mountains. In addition to the Volga and Samara, between which, in fact, the region is located, the Sok, Kondurcha, Big Irgiz, and Kinel rivers are significant in the agricultural and irrigation and reclamation sectors.

What minerals are mined in the region

The main minerals of the Samara region are oil and associated gas. Since these resources are of exceptional value to the Russian economy, an important element in assessing the economic potential of this region is the exploration of large and small deposits, as well as the extraction and processing of minerals.

The region belongs to the Volga-Ural oil and gas province. On a large scale, oil was mined here since 1936, so today its sources have significantly decreased. But about a hundred small oil fields continue to function, and the largest shares in oil production belong to Zolnensky, Mukhanovsky, Dmitrievsky, Kuleshovsky, Yakushkinsky, Radaevsky and Pokrovskoye fields.

Other useful resources produced in the region

In addition to oil and gas, the region is rich in other minerals, which have been widely used in the heavy, chemical, food industries, as well as in construction. The natural resources of the Samara region, namely the mining and technical rocks, are represented by the species-containing species, molding sands, bentonites. In addition, oil shale is produced from the Dergunovsky and Kashpirian deposits, sulfur is native from Alekseevsky and other natural sources, phosphorites and rock salt from the Dergunov deposits.

Mineral and building raw materials

Mineral resources of the Samara region are also mineral and construction resources, which are also being developed on an industrial scale, and the region has a significant share in the country's production potential.

Among other natural sources that are in the bowels of the region's lands, the most valuable are mineral and radon waters. They are used not only in the food industry, but also in public health, since they produce therapeutic and therapeutic effects.

Thus, the minerals of the Samara region are incredibly diverse.

The list of the most valuable of them will look something like this:

• Building stone;
• Agloporite clays;
• Silicate and building sand;
• gravel;
• Cement raw materials;
• Chalk, gypsum and anhydrite;
• Refractory clays;
• Brick and tile raw materials;
• Carbonate rocks for lime production;
• Expanded clay raw materials;
• Raw materials for glass production;
• Rocks containing bitumen.

Among other types of minerals, which are rich in the bowels of the lands of the Samara region, can be called salt, combustible shale, native sulfur and other minerals and substances of great economic value for the country. It is impossible not to mention the water resources of the region: since 1957, when the Volga hydroelectric power station was built, the waters of the Zhigulevsky Sea, bounded by a dam, are of great importance in the energy of the region.

The East-European Plain and the Samara Region in particular are the richest region, which annually makes a significant contribution to the Russian budget. The minerals of the Samara region allow the implementation of state production programs, as well as preserving the dynamics of the growth of mineral raw materials. Today, significant funds are being allocated from the federal budget to develop new hydrocarbon deposits.