Lukashenko reviews progress on construction of Nezhin Mining and Processing Plant
02.11.2026
MINSK (
BelTA) – On 2 November, Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko convened a meeting to review the progress of the investment project to build Nezhin Mining and Processing Plant, BelTA has learned.
“Nezhin Mining and Processing Plant is a flagship project for the country. It is a very complex project that requires constant attention,” the head of state emphasized.
Aleksandr Lukashenko visited the site in May 2025. Back then a number of decisions was made regarding the completion of construction and the simultaneous development of Lyuban District.
As the government has reported, there are difficulties with completing the work and commissioning the facilities. At the same time, the main process equipment has been installed and commissioning work has been carried out. In September 2025, the plant rolled out commercial products. To date, it has produced about 400,000 tonnes of potash fertilizers. They have found buyers on export markets. “We have achieved an intermediate result,” the head of state said.
At the meeting, the president suggested openly discussing the problems, the timelines and required decisions to bring the plant up to its design capacity as quickly as possible.
Aleksandr Lukashenko noted that the first and second construction phases were not commissioned within the established deadline of 3 July this year. The government committed to commissioning these phases by a revised deadline of 1 November . “When do we expect to reach the capacity of 1.1–1.2 million tonnes of mineral fertilizers?” the head of state asked.
“I am being informed that there are issues with the quality of construction and installation work performed by contractors, and with the timelines for rectifying defects and addressing remarks,” he continued.
The plans call for completing the third and fourth phases by the end of 2027 and increasing production capacity to 2 million tonnes of potassium chloride per year.
“We need to ensure the design solutions, since they ultimately affect the economics of the enterprise, and not only the enterprise. We are building mainly with borrowed funds, and they need to be repaid,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said. “Moreover, once the new potash fertilizer production facility is fully operational, it will become a stable source of tax revenue and foreign currency earnings, and it will drive the development of Lyuban District of Minsk Oblast. This is a must; the district must see its own development.”
According to the president, the meeting, with a broad range of participants, needs to discuss the prospects for implementing the project and reaching the expected targets, an action plan for completing it on time, and possible proposals for the further development of the plant. The head of state is also interested in how the development of social and other infrastructure in Lyuban District is progressing, and whether additional decisions at the presidential level are needed.
First Deputy Prime Minister Nikolai Snopkov reported that the facilities of the first and second phases of Nezhin Mining and Processing Plant have been commissioned. The plant has reached its average daily design capacity, corresponding to an annual output of 1 million tonnes of potash fertilizers. “This year, it will roll out 500,000 tonnes. Next year, a solid 1 million tonnes,” he said. “All acceptance certificates have been signed. The first and second phases have been commissioned. The supervisory authorities okayed all start-up complexes.”
According to Nikolai Snopkov, certain types of work remain to be completed, such as thermal insulation of some process pipelines and equipment, anti-corrosion protection of metal structures and equipment, and finishing work. All of this, the first deputy prime minister assured, does not hinder the normal operation of the facility and does not affect safety.
In this connection, Aleksandr Lukashenko stressed that everything must be in perfect condition and done to a high quality.
“Nezhin Mining and Processing Plant is a flagship project for the country. It is a very complex project that requires constant attention,” the head of state emphasized.
Aleksandr Lukashenko visited the site in May 2025. Back then a number of decisions was made regarding the completion of construction and the simultaneous development of Lyuban District.
As the government has reported, there are difficulties with completing the work and commissioning the facilities. At the same time, the main process equipment has been installed and commissioning work has been carried out. In September 2025, the plant rolled out commercial products. To date, it has produced about 400,000 tonnes of potash fertilizers. They have found buyers on export markets. “We have achieved an intermediate result,” the head of state said.
At the meeting, the president suggested openly discussing the problems, the timelines and required decisions to bring the plant up to its design capacity as quickly as possible.
Aleksandr Lukashenko noted that the first and second construction phases were not commissioned within the established deadline of 3 July this year. The government committed to commissioning these phases by a revised deadline of 1 November . “When do we expect to reach the capacity of 1.1–1.2 million tonnes of mineral fertilizers?” the head of state asked.
“I am being informed that there are issues with the quality of construction and installation work performed by contractors, and with the timelines for rectifying defects and addressing remarks,” he continued.
The plans call for completing the third and fourth phases by the end of 2027 and increasing production capacity to 2 million tonnes of potassium chloride per year.
“We need to ensure the design solutions, since they ultimately affect the economics of the enterprise, and not only the enterprise. We are building mainly with borrowed funds, and they need to be repaid,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said. “Moreover, once the new potash fertilizer production facility is fully operational, it will become a stable source of tax revenue and foreign currency earnings, and it will drive the development of Lyuban District of Minsk Oblast. This is a must; the district must see its own development.”
According to the president, the meeting, with a broad range of participants, needs to discuss the prospects for implementing the project and reaching the expected targets, an action plan for completing it on time, and possible proposals for the further development of the plant. The head of state is also interested in how the development of social and other infrastructure in Lyuban District is progressing, and whether additional decisions at the presidential level are needed.
First Deputy Prime Minister Nikolai Snopkov reported that the facilities of the first and second phases of Nezhin Mining and Processing Plant have been commissioned. The plant has reached its average daily design capacity, corresponding to an annual output of 1 million tonnes of potash fertilizers. “This year, it will roll out 500,000 tonnes. Next year, a solid 1 million tonnes,” he said. “All acceptance certificates have been signed. The first and second phases have been commissioned. The supervisory authorities okayed all start-up complexes.”
According to Nikolai Snopkov, certain types of work remain to be completed, such as thermal insulation of some process pipelines and equipment, anti-corrosion protection of metal structures and equipment, and finishing work. All of this, the first deputy prime minister assured, does not hinder the normal operation of the facility and does not affect safety.
In this connection, Aleksandr Lukashenko stressed that everything must be in perfect condition and done to a high quality.