Besides natural gas and oil, another significant natural resource found in Central Asia and the Caucasus is minerals. The region is rich in various minerals, including gold, silver, copper, zinc, lead, coal, uranium, and precious stones such as diamonds, emeralds, and rubies. Kazakhstan, for example, is one of the world's leading producers of uranium, while Tajikistan has significant deposits of silver and lead. Additionally, the region is known for its mineral reserves of rare earth elements, which are vital for modern technologies like electronics and renewable energy systems.
