Natural Resources Ministry enthusiastic about potential mining operations in Belarus

GOMEL, 20 September (BelTA) – About 50 kinds of mineral resources have been explored in Belarus and slightly more than 20 of them are getting mined. Belarusian Deputy Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Minister Viktor Galanov pointed it out on the sidelines of the Belarusian Investment Forum Nedra 2024 [mineral resources], which took place in Gomel on 20 September, BelTA has learned.

Viktor Galanov underlined that Belarus has quite an extensive range of mineral resources and raw materials. “About 50 kinds of various mineral resources have been explored in the territory of our country so far,” he specified.

“Slightly more than 20 of them are mined. The ones everyone knows about are mineral salt and potash salt, mineral resources used for generic construction purposes such as sand, clay, dolomites, and oil. At the same time we see a very large potential in the mineral resources that have been explored but are not getting extracted,” the deputy minister said.

“Nowadays we have something to offer to a potential investor. We are very much interested in the arrival of a potential investor. I believe the base with maximum efficiency has been created for that. All the offers are accumulated using digital technologies,” Viktor Galanov said. A roadmap for investors of the National Agency of Investment and Privatization (NAIP) was mentioned as well as an interactive map of the Belarusian State Geological Center, websites of the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Ministry and of the oblast administrations. In other words, there is plenty of information for investors, the official believes.

In his words, a package of proposals is presented during foreign business trips, at various forums, at meetings with investors from various countries.

“The state goes the extra mile in order to attract domestic and foreign investors. Particularly for the sake of mining mineral resources. The real sector of the economy needs domestic mineral resources and there is a demand for exporting these mineral resources. The potential is high. A serious regulatory and legal framework has been created to offer preferences to investors. And we count on serious fruitful work today,” the deputy natural resources and environmental protection minister told reporters.

The Belarusian Investment Forum Neda 2024 gathered over 250 professionals in Gomel. The forum is dedicated to presenting the investment potential Belarus’ natural resources and mineral deposits represent. Representatives of government agencies, businessmen, experts in the sphere of environmental management, and other professionals took part in the forum.

The Belarusian Investment Forum has been organized by the National Agency of Investment and Privatization (NAIP) with assistance of the Economy Ministry, the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Ministry, and the Gomel Oblast Executive Committee.