underground resources; subsurface resources
Refers to natural resources found beneath the earth's surface, such as minerals, oil, natural gas, and geothermal energy. Common in economic, geological, and policy discussions.
Japan is a country poor in underground resources.
Exploration for underground resources is being carried out.
天然資源 is a broader term for all natural resources, including those above ground (forests, water, etc.), while 地下資源 specifically refers to resources beneath the surface.
鉱物資源 refers specifically to mineral resources, which are a subset of 地下資源. 地下資源 can also include oil, gas, and geothermal energy.
Compound of 地下 (underground) and 資源 (resources). The word is a straightforward modern coinage reflecting the combination of its constituent parts.