Abstract
In this article Gonzalo Oroza argues that the mineral industry in the world as a whole is facing a challenging period of changes as a result of the economic and political disintegration of the Soviet Union. It gives a broad overview of CIS mining industry and examines reserves, legislation, consumption production, control and international cooperation, with special reference to steel, aluminum and nickel. It was originally published by the Government Institute for Economic Research in Helsinki (VATT-research report 24, 1994) with the title The CIS mining industry in a transition period - with special reference to Finnish mining prospects.