Large-scale modernization of dolomite flour production is planned at Dolomit OJSC

May 13, Minsk / Irina Aniskevich - BELTA /. A large-scale modernization of dolomite flour production is planned at Dolomit OJSC, said Alexander Kravchenko, Head of the Vitebsk Regional Department for Supervision of Rational Use of Fuel and Energy Resources, at the symposium "Technologies. Equipment. Quality," BELTA correspondent reports. Alexander Kravchenko said that the enterprise currently uses outdated technology, which has high specific energy consumption and metal intensity, and low unit capacity of equipment. The specific energy consumption is 2 times higher than the modern level - annual energy consumption is about 120 million kWh. Currently, investment justification is underway, and it is expected that modernization will require about $36 million. The payback period will be 4.5-5 years. It is planned to replace the existing equipment with so-called vertical mills designed for the primary grinding of dolomite crushed stone into flour. This will allow for a twofold reduction in energy consumption and, at the same time, generate its own electricity using a cogeneration unit. Alexander Kravchenko recalled that in Belarus, a significant amount of soil is characterized by an increased level of acidity. Therefore, to increase crop yields and ensure the country's food security, it is necessary to systematically apply a sufficiently large amount of mineral fertilizers to the soil that normalize its acidity. The most important task of Dolomit OJSC is to provide the agro-industrial complex with materials for liming acidic soils. The enterprise was founded in 1931 and specializes in the production of dolomite flour, which accounts for about 70% of the enterprise's commodity output. Limestone flour, dolomite filler, mineral powder, and crushed stone of all fractions are also produced. The raw material base for the enterprise is dolomite deposits near Vitebsk with proven reserves of 739 million tons.