Belarus is developing the exploration of its own mineral resources under sanctions and current market conditions. This was stated at a meeting of the Council of Ministers with the participation of the President of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko, as reported by a BELTA correspondent. The meeting was broadcasted via this link.
The discussion on mineral resources, in particular, arose during the report by the Minister of Architecture and Construction, Ruslan Parhamovich. He anticipates a positive outcome for the export of goods and services in the sector, with a significant increase in contract work volumes abroad. However, a certain decline in domestic investment activity is observed.
Alexander Lukashenko drew attention to the aspect of developing the domestic mineral and raw material base, given that supplies of certain types of raw materials have ceased due to sanctions or their prices have significantly increased. Examples include clay, which is used for the production of tiles and sanitary ware.
Belarus has deposits of this raw material, and by the end of the year, it is planned to achieve normal, stable results in obtaining the raw materials necessary for relevant production.
The same applies to a number of other items. "The work on developing the republic's mineral and raw material base is unsatisfactory. Indeed, previously everything was simple and easy. We imported this from Ukraine, and that from Russia," admitted Prime Minister Roman Golovchenko, acknowledging the problem. "Now, one of the most important tasks, alongside others, is the accelerated exploration and study of mineral reserves. We do not have many of them. But even those that exist are not being sufficiently developed by us. In the very near future, we will start addressing this issue very substantively."
"We need to look for options. But the industry cannot be ruined," warned Alexander Lukashenko.