In yet another indication that a global race for resources is in full swing, this opinion piece carried by the Russian news agency Ria Novosti suggests that Russia, a generally resource-rich country, should rethink its long-held position that prospecting for minerals outside its own territory is not necessary.  According to the author, Africa, another area where China has enlarged its footprint and is looking to compete with Western countries for access to precious resources, should become the focus of a Russian resource policy shift for not just oil and gas, but also precious metals and uranium.