The Belarusian haul truck manufacturer BelAZ can offer an absolutely import-substituted haul truck in every carrying capacity bracket. BelAZ Director General Sergei Nikiforovich made the statement during the forum held in Moscow to discuss investment projects and support measures in mining industry, BelTA has learned.

The BelAZ press service quoted Sergei Nikiforovich as saying: “BelAZ has learned the cost of the pressure of sanctions. In no time the company lost access to over 1,500 components, including the most important part of a haul truck – the engine. But the company did not stop working for a single day. Moreover, we've managed to not only preserve the entire lineup of batch-produced vehicles but actively continue the realization of innovative projects. It was largely possible thanks to effective cooperation with companies from the Russian Federation. This cooperation started only growing stronger in the current situation.”

In his words, at present BelAZ can offer an absolutely import-substituted haul truck in every carrying capacity bracket. “Our consumers can choose not only an optimal solution concerning the haul truck's options but enjoy timely aftersales service throughout the vehicle's lifetime,” he remarked.

The final stage of factory trials of a 90-tonne gas turbine haul truck powered by an engine made by the Russian company Kaluga Engine has begun. Once the factory trials are over, the haul truck will begin field trials in a real open pit. In one of the most popular capacity classes of 130 tonnes where BelAZ occupies 70% of the world market the company can offer a promising haul truck with a hybrid power plant. BelAZ-7513M is an import-free product of the Union State of Belarus and Russia.

Sergei Nikiforovich added: “In the 220 tonne bracket we and partners from Russia are implementing a project to create a haul truck with an engine made by Kolomensky Zavod. We put high hopes on this project: BelAZ-75304 was created with assistance of the best specialists of Belarus and Russia. The haul truck is now going through factory trials. It will begin field trials in a real open pit in Q2 2023.”

“The creation of vehicles powered by alternative kinds of fuel, deeper manufacturing cooperation with partners from Russia, and the realization of the import substitution policy allow us to have the necessary technological competences, sovereignty, and stability amid the pressure of Western sanctions,” Sergei Nikiforovich said.

The public joint-stock company (OAO) BelAZ is the managing company of the holding company BelAZ. BelAZ is the world's largest manufacturer of haul trucks and transport equipment for the mining industry and the civil engineering industry. BelAZ occupies about 30% of the world market of haul trucks with an extremely large carrying capacity. The company makes the world's largest haul truck with the carrying capacity of 450 tonnes.