Dolomit OJSC's Comprehensive Approach: From Dolomite Meal to its Application in Agriculture
JSC "Dolomit" has joined an experiment to implement a turnkey project, from the production of dolomite meal to its application in the soil.
Over the decades of its existence, the "Dolomit" enterprise, the sole producer of dolomite meal in Belarus, has mastered the production of various types of products not only for agriculture but also for the construction industry, metallurgy, and the oil refining industry.
– Due to the wear and tear of fixed assets, the main issue that the enterprise needs to address is comprehensive modernization, – emphasizes Sergey Soglasaev, General Director of JSC "Dolomit", who took office just over a year ago. – This will allow us to produce products, including innovative ones, to meet the needs of Belarus and conquer new sales markets in the territories of neighboring countries and regions of the Russian Federation.
Previously, 85% of the plant's products were exported to Ukraine and Lithuania, where they were used in the metallurgical industry and road construction. Recently, "Dolomit" has reduced the production of crushed stone from the upper bench, which was sent to Ukraine, and is increasing the production volumes of crushed stone from the waterlogged bench, reorienting towards the Russian market. To improve product quality, one of the technological lines is being modernized. Demand for it from road construction organizations in the Russian Federation is increasing.
The Ministry of Architecture and Construction has proposed the creation of a mineral and raw materials holding in Belarus. The new conglomerate, which will concentrate geological exploration and development of useful construction minerals, will include KUP "Geosfera", RUPP "Granit", JSC "Dolomit", and GP "NIISM Institute". The integrated structure will contribute to the promotion of products of the Belarusian construction industry.
The Belarusian enterprise has established business ties with regions such as Bryansk, Moscow, St. Petersburg, and Smolensk, and is currently establishing contacts with Vologda. Since the cost of limestone meal is incomparable with railway transportation tariffs, it makes no sense to look at distant countries, but it is worth developing regions close to Belarus. Moreover, they, for example, the branded agro-industrial holding "Dobronravov AGRO" from Bryansk, prefer products manufactured in Ruba due to their chemical composition.
– Given the complexity of storing dolomite flour, we have decided to develop and subsequently implement granulated dolomite in production, – shares Sergey Soglasiev. – We have concluded an appropriate agreement with the Institute of Soil Science and Agrochemistry of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus. Together, we are looking at the future. And although the new product will be more expensive than the usual "flour", it can be stored in big bags without loss of quality, delivered to the site and distributed more precisely.
The company's management believes that it is necessary to develop in different directions, to calculate what products from its raw materials can be offered to builders, road workers, metallurgists, and other manufacturers.
This year, due to changes in the financing approaches for the implementation of the State Program "Agrarian Business" for 2021-2025, it is planned to increase the supply of dolomite flour to the country's agriculture by almost half compared to the previous year, from 615 thousand tons to 1.1 million tons. As is known, fertilization with a natural mineral-based fertilizer normalizes acidic calcareous soils and significantly increases crop yields.
The enterprise has done a great job and has undergone the state registration procedure for dolomite flour in Russia. This will allow it to participate in public procurement in that country. This means increasing export volumes to this country, which has become a strategic partner of OJSC "Dolomit".
There are difficulties with the delivery and application of the meliorant to the soil by agricultural organizations. To ensure the program is fulfilled in the established volumes, operational meetings are held monthly under the Ministry of Agriculture and Food and the Ministry of Architecture and Construction with the participation of all interested parties – from Belarusian Railway and the agricultural and food committees of regional executive committees to the direct regional agroservices. Each party must fulfill its obligations according to the tasks and schedules. The final result of the state program at the end of the year will depend on the coordination of work.
JSC "Dolomit" and "Dubroven Rayagropromservice" are conducting a joint experiment on agricultural land in the Senno district. Within its framework, the lime flour producer is carrying out a set of measures to alkalize acidic soils. That is, they are doing "turnkey" work – from raw material extraction and dolomite flour production to its application to the soil. For this purpose, an MTZ tractor and a spreader have been specially purchased. If a positive effect is achieved, the practice of carrying out the full cycle of work by the producer will be extended to the entire Vitebsk region.
– In light of the tasks facing us, the uninterrupted extraction of dolomite raw materials is of paramount importance, – emphasizes the General Director. – Last year, we completed the reconstruction of the pumping station in the quarry. We additionally installed two powerful engines and a whole system of drainage, which allows us to feel confident in any weather conditions.
The most productive year for "Dolomit" in the last 10 years was 2021. Then the volume of manufactured goods reached 2.3 million tons. The business plan for this year provides for the production of 2.3-2.4 million tons of products and achieving profitable operation.
Source: vitebsk-region.gov.by