Assessment of import dependence of the Russian mining sector using the input-output mode
V.G. Varnavskii
V.A. Trapeznikov Institute of Control Sciences of Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russian Federation
Russian Mining Industry №3/ 2026 p. 55-61
Abstract: This study investigates the dependence of the Russian mining sector on importing intermediate products. The author's modification of the input-output model of the world economy is proposed to assess the import dependency of the mining industries. The model includes two separate datasets on the foreign trade and intermediate products presented as tables. The study is based on the latest update of the Inter-Country Input-Output Tables prepared by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development in 2025. The import dependence of the Russian mining sector is analyzed in the period of 2013–2025. The mining sectors in the model is divided into 5 industries, i.e. coal mining; extraction of crude petroleum and natural gas; metal ore mining; other types of mining and quarrying; and mining support and service activities. Calculations of import substitution across the different industries are presented. A significant product heterogeneity is found with respect to import dependence of the Russian mining industry both across different intermediate product groups and within the individual machinery and equipment. Calculations have shown that the mining sector is critically dependent on imported supplies of some groups of machinery, such as computer, electronic and optical equipment, electrical equipment, machinery and other equipment. The share of imports in the intermediate consumption of products in these commodity groups is 50% on average. These results are consistent with the estimations in recent studies by other researchers. Practical recommendations are proposed to enhance the efficiency of import substitution in mining, encompassing strengthening the trade and investment ties between mining companies and domestic mining equipment manufacturers, expansion of transnational industrial cooperation and localization in the friendly and neutral countries, intensification of the state industrial policy and others.
Keywords: mining sector, mining industries, import, import dependence, Input-Output Table, machinery and equipment, intermediate consumption
For citation: Varnavskii V.G. Assessment of import dependence of the Russian mining sector using the input-output model. Russian Mining Industry. 2026;(3):55–61. https://doi.org/10.30686/1609-9192-2026-3-55-61
Article info
Received: 18.02.2026
Revised: 24.03.2026
Accepted: 15.04.2026
Information about the author
Vladimir G. Varnavskii – Dr. Sci. (Econ.), Professor, Leading Researcher, V.A. Trapeznikov Institute of Control Sciences of Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russian Federation; https:// orcid.org/0000-0003-1772-1800; e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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