Business news

GARLYK, 31 March (BelTA) – The Garlyk mining and processing factory has been officially inaugurated, BelTA informs.

Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko and Turkmenistan President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow cut a ribbon and pressed a symbolic button to inaugurate the plant.

The heads of state inspected the enterprise and its production facilities, left messages in the Book of Distinguished Guests of the factory.

“The inauguration of the Garlyk mining and processing factory which embodied the best solutions and cutting-edge technologies with the participation of Belarusian specialists is a bright example of productive cooperation between our states. I am convinced that this unique high-tech production facility will make a big contribution to the enhancement of Turkmenistan’s economy and the development of the new mining and processing industry for the benefit of Turkmen people,” the message of Alexander Lukashenko reads.

The Garlyk deposit of potash salts is located in southeastern Turkmenistan. It was discovered in 1964-1966. Back then the Soviet Union did not have necessary technologies for the construction of a comprehensive production facility.

In 2010, the Belarusian general contractor OAO Belgorkhimprom signed a contract for the turn-key construction of the Garlyk mining and processing factory with Turknenhimiya Concern.

The cost of the project was estimated at $1 million. A number of 14 Belarusian and 22 Turkmen organizations were involved in the construction process. The total number of workers exceeded 2,300 people. Belarusian builders accounted for more than a half of them.

The enterprise includes 125 facilities.

The plant is expected to reach the estimated capacity of 1.4 million tonnes of potash products per year within three years.

The first batch of potash fertilizers has been already produced. Part of them has been delivered to the domestic market of Turkmenistan, the other part has been exported to Afghanistan.