Difference between potential resources and reserve

Potential resources are the resources that have been identified but are not yet used due to the lack of availability of technology. The government do not have plans to use them them in near future, but if needed they can be developed and utilised.

• These are resources whose total quantity is not known.
• They are not being used at present.
• As technology improves their use in future is possible.
• Uranium found in Ladakh is an example of potential resources.

Reserves are the resources which have been identified and are entirely reserved for present and future use. 

• These are resources whose total quantity is known.
• They are being used at the present time.
• Available technology is used to use these resources.
• Rich deposits of coal in Rubr region of Germany is an example of actual resources.