First Mining and Exploration Forum opens in Minsk

2 февраля 2016

By Svetlana Lukyanyuk: Creation of a single commodity market of the Eurasian Economic Union, was discussed in Minsk by the participants of the First Mining and Exploration Forum. It opened in the Belarusian capital today. This is a platform to exchange views and technology. In the context of difficult economic situation in the world, time itself dictates the need for closer contact with the relevant experts in order to find internal resources and optimal use of natural wealth and partners for association. Incidentally, the question of mineral resources base has repeatedly emerged. The President has repeatedly focused on increasing exports of services and the reduction of imports of raw materials. So, the agreement signed within the framework of the EAEU, opens up new opportunities for future projects, investment and joint development.

Specialists of mining industry from Belarus, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Armenia and Tajikistan are talking about creation of a single commodity market of Eurasia.

In order to increase the volume of investment in exploration Belarus has already implemented some projects with participation of Russian companies.

Technological developments that are being discussed today at the forum, will allow using local raw materials and import substitution. For example, Belarus has a lot of experience in the development of oil, potash and building materials. Over the last 50 years we have produced 130 million tons of black gold. The commercial reserves of potash are nearly 8 billion tons.

This forum is not just an attempt to indicate common problems and find common solutions. Each country has something to offer. One is rich in minerals, others have highly trained specialists.

For example, we can borrow the technology of extraction of ore from Russia and Kazakhstan. And this forum will help to exchange information, to adapt existing technologies to our fields.

Some of them are incorporated in the Union State program "Exploration". Its financing has been agreed. The first Eurasian forum resulted in a number of bilateral agreements between the research centers of Belarus, Russia and Kazakhstan.