OREANDA-NEWS. March 18, 2011. Belarus has announced open international tenders to find investors for development of brown coal deposits in Brinevo, Zhitkovichi and Tonezh.

The tenders are based on the principles of transparency and meet international standards. The tenders have been announced due to the need to maximize the use of local fuels in the country, the spokesperson said.

The projects are aimed at meeting the needs of Belarus in hydrocarbon raw materials and processed products, and expanding export opportunities for the country. The projects are expected to be implemented according to the scheme: design, construction, financing, operation. It will be implemented within tight deadlines. The winners of the tender will be determined on 3 October. Agreements with the investors will be signed before the end of the year.

Brinevo brown coal deposit is located in Petrikov District, Gomel Oblast. The deposit capacity is estimated at more than 40 million tonnes. The project will require USD 267.16 million.

Zhitkovichi coal field lies in Zhitkovichi and Petrikov Districts, Gomel Oblast. Its reserves exceed 47 million tonnes. Required investments stand at USD 391.3 million.

The capacity of the brown coal deposit in Tonezh, Gomel Oblast, reaches 40 million tonnes. The project is estimated at USD 262.3 million.

Belarus has announced open international tenders for selection of investors for the construction of a colliery with the capacity of 1.8 million tonnes per year and the construction ofa coal-fired power plant at the Lelchitsy brown coal deposit. The winner of the tender will be announced on 3 October.

Lelchitsy deposit is located in Gomel Oblast. The cost of the project is estimated at USD 578.7 million.

Full information on the projects is available on the official websites of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and the Department of Geology.