Visit to Granit enterprise

Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko paid a working trip to Brest Oblast on 4 June. In Mikashevichi inspected the Granit enterprise.

At the enterprise Aleksandr Lukashenko was accompanied by a big group of civil servants – high-ranking officials from the region, Granit CEOs, ministers and vice premiers. Chairman of the Brest Oblast Executive Committee Yuri Shuleiko, first of all, informed the President about the progress in the spring sowing campaign and the social and economic development of Brest Oblast. “In the past five years Brest Oblast has been Belarus’ second biggest contributor to the gross regional product and a leader in the manufacturing industry, agriculture, and export of product,” he said. “In the period of four months we have advanced from the seventh to the fourth place. The gross regional product is on the rise, production is increasing.” At the same time, according to the governor, Brest Oblast is lagging behind in terms of investment raising.

“What are you concerned about in connection with the policy of collective west? Or maybe you are not thinking about it at all,” the head of state asked.

According to Yuri Shuleiko, there was a slight increase in the unemployment rate in the region: after the closure of the borders citizens who worked in Poland and Ukraine had to stay home. He ask local authorities to support them.

“You should listen to them and talk to them. We will do our best to support and help them (they are our people). But it necessary to start working. Don’t’ think that tomorrow the west will welcome you with open arms,” Aleksandr Lukashenko stressed.

The situation in Mikashevichi largely depends on the performance of the local enterprise Granit. The enterprise is doing well, but it is still necessary to improve. Acceding to Granit Director General Eduard Gavrilkovich, export has reduced significantly because of closing borders due to the pandemic. The slower speed of construction in the republic and Russia’s measures of non-tariff regulation reducing the volume of delivery of Belarusian raw materials also have a negative impact. “Inform the prime minister immediately so that we could make a difference. But why always push problems to a higher level? You also need to step up efforts here,” the President stressed. “This problem must be solved, there is no catastrophe.”

In his words, the government can help handle emerging issues with the export of products. But the enterprise should also do its best.

During the visit to the enterprise Aleksandr Lukashenko visited the new Sitnitskoye mine. An investment project to build a new mining and processing plant is implemented there. However, Granit representatives are still not sure if they need a new plant. The project cost is almost $500 million. However, right now the enterprise does not even sell all the raw materials produced at the Mikashevichi mine. It is possible that the enterprise as such will not be built. Crushed stone produced at the Sitnitskoye mine can be processed at existing facilities. More calculations are still necessary.

“Please decide what we will do,” the President said.

The project to create the so-called intellectual quarry is implemented at the new mine. 5G technologies and BelAZ equipment are used there. Aleksandr Lukashenko visited the observation deck where he was informed about the performance of industrial enterprises, the development prospects of BelAZ and MTZ. According to Industry Minister Piotr Parkhomchik, the industry is increasingly vibrant. Speaking about the export of Belarusian equipment, Aleksandr Lukashenko emphasized the need to take time timely measures to avoid accounts receivable. “We deliver products, don’t get paid, and then start to fight for this money. Please avoid such situations,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.

The strategy of BelAZ to digitize mining and transportation works envisages the development of comprehensive solutions for the delivery of equipment, infrastructure and operation systems. One of the elements of these solutions is the development of unmanned mining technologies which will ensure the operation of BelAZ mining equipment on new sales markets and for new consumers. BelAZ Director General Sergei Nikiforovich said that unmanned mining technologies will help increase the mining productivity by 30%, raise the coefficient of technological readiness through the reduction of idle time, make equipment maintenance more cost-effective through optimal operation regimes. Apart from that, the use of autonomous transport will help reduce the number of workplace injuries.

The project envisages the testing of unmanned mining technologies with the use of pilot samples of dump trucks BelAZ-7558R with the capacity of 90 tonnes and a wheel loader BelAZ-7825D. For the operation of the intellectual quarry a modern mobile operations control center was built, communications and electrical equipment was installed, 48 masts connected by more than 4 kilometers of cables were erected. There are also three masts for 5G equipment need for the operation of the quarry complex.

At the same testing site the head of state was also shown a new robotic complex designed by MTZ jointly with the National Academy of Sciences on the basis of the Belarus-3523 tractor.

Aleksandr Lukashenko was satisfied with what he saw. He said that the work of industrial enterprises are researchers is as good as the work of IT specialists. Perhaps, competition stimulates them because some time ago researchers complained they did not the preferences of the HTP. “People were brought together – they are working and making finished products. They do not just give software to America, but produce what we need today,” he said.

After the tour of the enterprise, the President met with Granit workers. At the beginning of the meeting the President stated that in 2013 the decision was taken to develop a new deposit - Sitnitskoe. Now the work is slow there. For now Granit needs to at least sell the raw materials from the current deposit Mikashevichi. “First of all, you have to sell what you produce here,” he stressed.

Granit workers, first of all, asked about the development prospects of the enterprise and the future of export. “The government will take appropriate measures so that no one would interfere with your work on the domestic market,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.

The government will provide assistance in this matter, but the enterprise should also do its best, Aleksandr Lukashenko is convinced.

The employees complained about the problems with the issuance of licenses for a number of health services provided by the sanatorium Svitanak of Granit enterprise. Aleksandr Lukashenko instructed the deputy head of the Belarus President Administration and the governor to address the issue within a week. The President is convinced that there should be no formalism in the matter. “If people want to go to the sanatorium, they vote with their money or the company helps, so is the problem? A far-fetched issue,” said Aleksandr Lukashenko.

The workers of the company told the President that the Kobrin-Gomel highway was in poor condition. The head of state said that the issue would be resolved. “The progress here is very slow,” the President said and added that some of the sections of the road are already being upgraded.

The head of state explained that the reconstruction of this road is very important. “We will build this road, no matter what it costs us. It will be like Brest-Moscow highway, even better,” the President said.

Founded in 1975, Granit is the country’s largest crushed stone producer.