MINSK, 16 August (BelTA) – Effective use of mineral resources is the most important component of rational import substitution, BelTA learned from Belarusian Economy Minister Aleksandr Chervyakov.
A working meeting took place to discuss ways to more effectively use subsoil resources. Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Minister Andrei Khudyk, representatives of the Industry Ministry, the Energy Ministry, the Transport and Communications Ministry, the Architecture and Construction Ministry, the Belarusian state petrochemical concern Belneftekhim, the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus, and the Economics Institute of the Economy Ministry took part in it. Participants of the meeting discussed the development of Belarusian deposits of mineral resources and their commercialization.
Aleksandr Chervyakov noted: “Today our enterprises import mineral resources while ample raw materials are available domestically. The head of state pointed it out at a recent session of the Council of Ministers. In 2016-2021 we imported more than $2.1 billion worth of mineral resources excluding mineral fuel, oil, natural gas, and electricity. In the current conditions effective use of mineral resources is becoming the most important component of rational import substitution.”
In order to tap into these reserves as wisely as possible in the interests of economy, science, government agencies, and enterprises should pool efforts at all stages starting with geological exploration and ending with processing, the economy minister stressed. In his opinion, it is advisable to focus on three areas. “First, reducing the volume of import of those natural resources, of which we have ample supplies. I am talking about sands, kaolin, clays, basalt, and other ones. Second, improving the performance of existing enterprises that extract, mine and deal with primary processing of raw materials. It is also necessary to set up new enterprises on the basis of new deposits. Environmentally friendly technologies should be used as much as possible without damaging the environment. Third, enabling seamless interaction between various administrative bodies and enterprises in the course of working out a seamless process flow starting with geological exploration and extraction and ending with the manufacturing of end products,” the economy minister identified the approaches.
The proposals participants of the meeting worked out will be submitted for consideration of the Council of Ministers' Presidium in September.
