According to estimates by the Russian Ministry of Natural Resources, African countries account for approximately 33% of the world's natural resource reserves, TASS reports. At the same time, a significant part of the raw material potential of the continent remains undeveloped. Among the most significant minerals in the region, the ministry identifies rare earth metals, lithium and gold. The assessment was prepared on the eve of the third Russia-Africa summit, in which most of the continent's countries have already confirmed their participation.