Lukashenko set task to enhance geological prospecting and exploration

The President of Belarus, Aleksandr Lukashenko, has convened a meeting on the state and development of the country’s mineral resource base, and the expansion of geological exploration – gathering heads of the Government, the National Academy of Sciences and all governors

Opening today’s meeting at the Palace of Independence, Aleksandr Lukashenko stressed that the conversation will focus on Belarus’ geological wealth, explaining why the topic is truly relevant and important, “All minerals are our national treasure. They are a strategic reserve that belongs exclusively to the people and that includes potassium, oil, the major resource – fresh water (it is an invaluable resource in recent years), and many more.”

According to Aleksandr Lukashenko, Belarusians need to manage the available resources wisely and cost-consciously. “In turn, we must explore the resources that we do not have yet but expect to have. Our exploration process is not good, we have relied on one company, one person [Belorusneft and its CEO Aleksandr Lyakhov]. The state is always interested in intensive and effective development, as well as rational use of mineral assets, also promoting the introduction of the most advanced technologies for mining, processing and especially exploration of new minerals,” he said.

The President recalled that the state of the mineral resource base and its further development were discussed at a similar meeting eight years ago. The relevant instructions were given also when Andrei Khudyk was appointed Minister of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection in 2017.

“We then discussed that the visible natural resources had been studied quite well in Belarus, but we knew not everything about the underground mineral assets. Accordingly, geological prospecting and exploration need to be enhanced,” Aleksandr Lukashenko noted.