Determinants of structural transformation of the mining region’s economy

Subject. Under the impact of exogenous shocks (sanctions, trade wars, etc.), the Russian economy faces intensifying processes of structural deindustrialization and technological primitivization of industrial production. Monoprofile regions, including the Kemerovo Oblast–Kuzbass, demonstrate particular vulnerability. Such challenges become "points of no return", requiring deep changes and stabilization of the main macroeconomic indicators from the current inertial structure of the regional economy. Objectives. The purpose is to underpin the main essential forces that have a key impact on the structural dynamics of the economy of the producing region. Methods. The article presents an assessment of structural and technological development of the Kemerovo Oblast–Kuzbass, based on the indicator approach. The empirical basis of the study was Rosstat data and the data from Russian information and analytical agencies. Results. The measures implemented at the regional government level to structurally transform the economy of the Kemerovo Oblast–Kuzbass and protect key market participants from negative effects of external shocks are significant, but insufficient to achieve a long-term stabilization. The analysis of dynamics of indicators characterizing the structural and technological development of the economy of the said area demonstrates its high vulnerability to external shocks. At the same time, relative to all-Russian trends, regional processes are deeper and more acute. Conclusions. Given the nature and severity of structural problems specific to the presented types of regions, the determinants of structural transformation of the extractive region’s economy are investments, technologies, institutions, and social groups.