MINSK, 1 February (BelTA) – Belarus ships up to 450 tonnes of peat briquettes to countries of the European Union every year. Vyacheslav Rakovich, Head of the Biogeochemistry and Agroecology Lab of the Nature Management Institute of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus, made the statement at a press conference held on 1 February in anticipation of the World Wetlands Day (2 February), BelTA has learned.
The scientist noted that the development of peatlands makes a substantial contribution to the Belarusian economy. In the last five years peat mining in Belarus varied from 1.7 million to 3.2 million tonnes per annum. Over 5,000 Belarusians work in the peat mining industry. About 1 million residents of Belarus enjoy heat generated thanks to peat. Peat briquettes represent a large share of Belarus' export. Countries of the European Union alone buy 200-450 tonnes of peat briquettes every year.
The Nature Management Institute is busy working out technologies that will allow reducing the volume of peat consumption in addition to raising its profitability. Fertilizers, absorbents, and growth stimulants based on peat are in development.
