JSC "Dolomit" plans to implement two re-equipment investment projects worth $46 million.

May 6, Vitebsk / Sergey Kotovets - BELTA /. Dolomit OJSC is working on issues of investment cooperation with foreign partners for the implementation of two projects aimed at technological modernization and the production of calcined dolomite. This was announced today to journalists by the enterprise's director Ivan Babak, according to a BELTA correspondent. Currently, it is necessary to solve problems related to cost reduction, especially energy consumption, as well as the development of new types of high-tech products, the director noted. For this purpose, two investment projects have been developed at the enterprise, the total cost of which is preliminarily estimated at about $46 million. The technological modernization project for Dolomit involves replacing the production technology for dolomite flour, which accounts for about 70% of the enterprise's commodity output. The currently used technology is very energy-intensive (annual electricity consumption is about 120 million kWh) and morally obsolete, stated Ivan Babak. It is planned to replace the existing equipment with so-called vertical mills designed for the primary grinding of dolomite chips 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. The new technology was developed by domestic specialists, and investment justification is currently underway. According to preliminary estimates, the project will require about $36 million for implementation. The second project is related to the development of new types of products, in particular calcined dolomite, which is used in metallurgical production. "Today, the conditions for developing mineral resources are very complex and costly, so the enterprise is focused on producing high-tech products that will significantly increase production efficiency in the future," noted Ivan Babak. A business plan has been developed at the enterprise in cooperation with German partners, including the technology for producing calcined dolomite. The cost of the project is about $10 million, with a payback period of 5.5-6 years. Calcined dolomite is an import-substituting product. The price of 1 ton of such a product is about $200, while a ton of dolomite chips costs Br15,000 with approximately the same production costs, the head emphasized. Currently, raw material samples are undergoing testing in Germany, after which the enterprise will begin pre-project work. In parallel, the issue of attracting investment resources for the project implementation is being worked out. The enterprise was established in 1931 and specializes in the production of dolomite flour, limestone flour, dolomite filler, mineral powder, and crushed stone of all fractions. The raw material base for the enterprise includes dolomite deposits near Vitebsk with proven reserves of 739 million tons.