Which natural resources are extracted in the Caucasus region?

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The Caucasus region is rich in a variety of natural resources, which have historically supported significant economic development. The primary resources extracted in the region include:

  • Hydrocarbons: The region contains significant deposits of oil and natural gas, particularly in the Kura-Aras Lowland, beneath the Caspian Sea, and in Ciscaucasia and Dagestan.12
  • Metallic Ores: Various ores are found throughout the region, including magnetite iron (notably near Daşkəsən, Azerbaijan), copper, molybdenum, manganese (near Chiatura, Georgia), lead, and zinc.132
  • Coal: Deposits are extracted in areas such as Dagestan.12
  • Building Materials: The region produces cement marls, limestone, marble, and the rose-colored tuffs of Mount Aragats in Armenia.13
  • Other Resources: Additional materials include common salt, nepheline syenites (used for aluminum), and iodobromide waters.3

Furthermore, the region is well-known for its mineral-water springs and its capacity for hydroelectric power generation, which is intensively utilized across several major rivers.12