Transport challenges of developing the mineral resources in the Arctic Zone of the Russian Federation

Development of mineral resources in the Far East and Arctic regions is affected by the current state of the transport infrastructure. The transport industry is the most complex, labour-intensive and expensive part in developing mineral deposits, the share of which amounts for 60-75% in the production costs. Hundreds of important projects in operation, under construction and planned can be identified in the Far East and the Arctic Zone of the Russian Federation. These prpjects determine the location of freight generation sites and the export of raw materials or refined products, which is carried out practically by all types of transportation. It is necessary to link the projects of transport infrastructure development with the possibilities of natural resources management and, first of all, subsoil use, since the mining industry is one of the key economic sectors for the regions of the Russian Far East and the Arctic. The mineral and raw materials potential of our country is capable of supporting all the necessary tasks of the national economy and national security based on the strategic goals under any global development scenarios. The Khabarovsk Territory with a moderately developed infrastructure, but with a very high potential for its growth, can be considered as a consolidating centre. In recent years, the Khabarovsk Territory has started to form a transport and energy framework, which can serve as a viable basis for implementation of other projects.