Belaz CEO: Our equipment is a benchmark of endurance and efficiency anywhere in the world

Every year on the last Sunday of September, Machine Builder Day is celebrated in Belarus. Today, there are more than 1,800 industry enterprises in the country. The core of the sector is formed by 270 large and medium-sized organizations. The contribution of engineering to GDP in January-June 2026 amounted to 4.7 percent. More than 965 million rubles of investments were allocated to the sphere during this period. Every third ruble from revenue Belarusian engineering enterprises receive from the sale of innovative products. Belarus occupies one of the leading places in the world in the production of heavy trucks. On the eve of the professional holiday, Sergey Lesin was asked by the General Director of OJSC “BELAZ” – the management company of the holding “BELAZ-HOLDING” Sergey Lesin about what success the giant of domestic engineering has achieved and what promising projects are being worked on.

Sergei Lesin. It is quite difficult to single out three, because the company has recently had many important and significant events. Nevertheless, I consider the successful implementation of technological leadership and increasing production capacities to be the main ones. This allowed us to significantly reduce our dependence on foreign components, master the production of critical components and assemblies together with our partners from Russia and, in turn, made it possible to significantly strengthen our technological independence and increase competitiveness.

Another area in which we conduct systematic and effective work is the development and implementation of new generations of flagship dump trucks and innovative equipment. We have made significant progress in that regard.

And three. In the course of product diversification, BELAZ introduced to the world a number of new models of equipment that our company had not previously produced. This is a picker hydraulic excavator class 200 tons, a heavy quarry grader class 70 tons, as well as mining equipment - underground dump trucks with a carrying capacity of 40 - 50 tons and loading and delivery machines with a carrying capacity of 14 - 17 tons. I am confident that the expansion of the product portfolio will allow the company to increase sales and continue to develop new markets.

- What is the stake in the career technology market?

The field of engineering for the mining industry is constantly evolving, and the requests of our customers pose new global challenges for BELAZ technical specialists. But being one of the leaders means not just responding to the demands of the market, but in many ways shaping it. Therefore, we attach great importance to the transfer of our equipment to environmentally friendly fuels, the development of our own solutions in the field of unmanned control systems and robotics of quarry transport.

In order to strengthen its position in traditional markets and expand its presence in new markets, BELAZ aims to achieve uncompromising quality and use a flexible approach to each client. We strive to maintain a competitive price for our products and, most importantly, a lower cost of ownership compared to competitors.

Special attention is focused on service, i.e. support of our equipment throughout the life cycle, guarantee to partners its uninterrupted operation and operational support anywhere in the world. And this is helped by one of our own IT-development – intelligent monitoring system and predictive analytics IMS. It simultaneously monitors and processes a huge array of information, including the technical condition of the main components of the machine, assesses the effectiveness of their operation and identifies violations during operation. Give the market an offer - What promising projects are currently being implemented?

Belaz is a flexible production. Every customer requirement, whether it is working at -60 °C or switching to alternative fuels, forms the basis of new design solutions. In addition, what today is an individual request of the client and in some ways exotic, often tomorrow becomes a standard, a familiar reality. Take at least the gas engine equipment. The request of Russian companies to reduce fuel costs and gas pollution of quarries led to the creation of dump trucks BELAZ-7558H, BELAZ-7513P and BELAZ-7530P, operating on liquefied natural gas. Also in response to environmental requirements and rising prices for diesel, BELAZ creates equipment on other alternative fuels, including a dump truck with a hybrid hydrogen-battery scheme of operation without a diesel engine on board.

Today, one of our strategic tasks is the successful introduction of unmanned vehicles for work in quarries, in particular in extremely difficult conditions. Autonomous dump trucks with an intelligent control system operate without the participation of the operator, which increases safety and eliminates human errors.

- This year, BELAZ presented the world’s first 220-ton dump truck on liquefied natural gas. Tell us more about the novelty.

- Our new gas piston dump truck BELAZ-7530R is a truly significant event for the mining industry. The premiere of the 220-ton machine took place this summer at the international exhibition "Coal of Russia and Mining - 2026" in Novokuznetsk. Now it is the most powerful dump truck in our line of equipment on liquefied natural gas.

There are two major innovations in this model. The first is its “heart”, a modern gas piston engine with a capacity of 2335 horsepower, which works in a single complex with traction electric drive and on-board electronics of control systems. The gas engine has the same power and torque indicators as the classic diesel engine, but significantly changes the economics of production in the direction of cheaper due to the lower cost of gas. At the same time, environmental indicators in quarries are improving due to a multiple reduction in the volume of toxic emissions.

The second major innovation is the new generation cabin. We have invested a wealth of experience, knowledge and advanced technologies in creating a dump truck operator workplace, where comfort and safety are not just options, but the basis for high performance. We have improved ergonomics, guaranteeing the driver the most comfortable working conditions.

At the same time, despite its innovativeness, BELAZ-7530R is based on the ultra-reliable platform of the BELAZ-7530 series, which has been proven over the years. The machine inherited all the qualities for which our equipment is valued all over the world: structural strength, high performance, safety, comfort and unpretentious maintenance. Thanks to two tanks with a total capacity of 3850 liters, the dump truck is guaranteed to work out a 12-hour working shift without refueling.

We see the future behind this technology. According to our estimates, up to 30 percent of the fleet of cars we produce will eventually be equipped with gas-piston engines. The next step is pilot-industrial testing of the new products, after which BelAZ will be ready to completely cover the need for gas-engine technology in the most popular classes of miners carrying capacity - 90, 130 and 220 tons.

- What progress has been made in import substitution?

- We are aware that technological leadership is the key to the stable development and sustainability of our company in the long term, so we continue to strengthen it. The sanctions we have faced have been a catalyst for technological transformation. Now we are faster implementing innovative projects related to mastering the production of components that were previously imported from unfriendly countries. Actively investing in scientific developments, we modernize production facilities and develop industrial cooperation, primarily with enterprises of the Union State, continue to improve and increase our own production of key parts, components and systems.

For example, dump trucks with a carrying capacity of 90-240 tons are now equipped with power cabinets designed and manufactured at BelAZ for controlling an electromechanical AC transmission. For the new model of the 90-ton BelAZ-75575, the planetary hydromechanical gearbox was upgraded. We are trying to expand the range of equipment of this class, as dump trucks with a carrying capacity of 90 tons are the best-selling in the world. Formation of a new geography of presence - In which countries are the products of the plant sold and what export strategy does the company follow?

More than 90 percent of Belaz’s products are exported. Thus, dump trucks of the top-series BELAZ-7513, which has the State Quality Mark of Belarus and three models of which have the status of "Product of the Union State", are actively used throughout the globe in the extraction of coal, iron ores, non-ferrous metals, diamonds and other minerals. Regardless of the field of application, they always demonstrate maximum productivity and economic efficiency, always bringing profit to their owners, as well as providing safety and comfort for operators. This makes 110 – 140-ton BELAZs very popular mining enterprises of Russia, Belarus, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, India, Vietnam, Mongolia, Indonesia and many other countries of the world. In general, the geography of supply of the top family in the history includes 18 countries. Also, the three leaders of our shipment in 2026 include dump trucks of loading classes of 220 – 240 and 90 tons.

Of course, maintaining leadership in the traditional CIS market is the foundation, but today Belaz’s strategy is aimed at forming a new global geography of presence. The main vectors of our export development in the coming years are the countries of Africa, Latin America, Southeast Asia, South Asia, where we are ready to adapt equipment to extreme climatic conditions and create local service centers in close proximity to the fields.

At the same time, we are looking not just for new points on the map, but for partners who are ready to implement future technologies together with us. For Belaz, the new market is first of all an opportunity to prove that our equipment is the standard of endurance and efficiency anywhere in the world.

- As far as we know, in 2026 BelAZ continues to implement a large-scale investment program to modernize production, introduce modern technological lines and equipment. More than $100 million will be allocated for these purposes. What do you bet on and how actively are robotic complexes being introduced?

- Long-term investments in the modernization of production facilities, the introduction of advanced technologies, focus on international requirements, close attention to each stage of production, digitalization allowed not only to make high-quality equipment, but to constantly move forward, ahead of market expectations.

Only in recent years, the modernization of both conveyors has been carried out: in 2023 - small, which now assembles dump trucks with a carrying capacity of 30 - 90 tons, in 2025 - large, which allowed to increase the production of 110 - 240-ton BELAZs, which are the leaders of our sales, by 30%. On the large conveyor, an information management and monitoring system of its own development is used, which makes it possible to quickly monitor the quality and assembly process of equipment in real time, monitor the availability of components, ensuring the continuity of processes and optimal operation of the line.

Gradually, robotics fully assumes the most difficult and monotonous processes, improving the working conditions of workers and reducing the complexity of operations. For example, modernization of welding production is part of the investment program of the enterprise aimed at automation of production processes. In general, today more than 40 percent of welds are manufactured by robots at Belaz. 34 robotic complexes were introduced into the technological process. They consist of 51 robots, of which 49 are welding. The technology of laser welding of cabin nodes was mastered and implemented. Robotics complexes also weld cartridges of rear axles, beams of the front axle, spars, crossbars of frames and other responsible nodes of dump trucks with a carrying capacity of 30 to 360 tons.

The modern high-tech complex of robotic painting of parts and components of dump trucks and special equipment BELAZ will be located on an area of about 7 thousand square meters. Here will be painted the largest components of dump trucks especially large capacity up to parts weighing 21 tons and a length of 11 meters.

If we understand the transition from classical engineering to digital format by BELAZ digital transformation, then it is important to ensure the quality of products based on the most modern technologies. We identify three vectors of technological breakthrough: intelligent production management, a single digital circuit of equipment and design automation.

Intelligent production management allows the use of “digital twins”, mobile terminals and barcoding systems. These technologies are transforming workshops into a transparent ecosystem. Hardware systems in real time control each stage – from loading machines to fulfilling individual orders, allowing managers to make decisions based not on hypotheses, but on accurate data.

More than 500 units of equipment are combined into an online monitoring system, which is part of a single digital circuit of equipment. By integrating machine control with repair management, we have a powerful cost optimization tool. Now we have the ability to prevent failures in advance.

In addition, we have implemented advanced CNC programming software that has shortened the path from designer idea to finished part, ensuring accuracy while maintaining market-defined speed.

- How is cooperation with Russian partners developing?

- For us, the Russian market was and remains key. The Russian Federation accounts for most of the supply of BELAZ equipment. These are models that provide maximum performance at the optimal cost of a ton of transported breed. Importantly, cooperation with Russian miners means not only the supply of equipment, but also the joint design of the future of the industry.

I see this cooperation not just as trade relations, but as a deep strategic integration of the two largest industrial complexes. Russia is more than a key market for us, it is a space for ensuring common technological sovereignty.

I see the prospects for our cooperation in the fact that we are moving from the supplier-buyer model to the development partner model. Today, BELAZ actively integrates Russian components and assemblies: engines, traction electric drives and control systems. Our goal is to make a product completely independent of Western technology, while ensuring world-class standards of quality and performance.

So I see our future with our Russian partners in creating the most efficient mountain park in the world, which works on domestic technologies, is managed using artificial intelligence and has minimal impact on the environment. This is the kind of ecosystem we're building together right now.

Let me take this opportunity to congratulate all machine builders on their professional holiday. We are rightfully proud of the glorious history of our engineering enterprises, the talent of managers and engineers, the skill of workers, the wonderful traditions of labor collectives. Let our accumulated experience, professionalism and dedication to our work help to cope with all the challenges of the time and will serve to successfully achieve production goals, implement projects that open up new opportunities and prospects for further development! Good health, unlimited happiness and stable prosperity!

FAVOURABLE FACT

65 years ago, on September 14, 1961, the Belarusian Automobile Plant produced the first quarry dump truck with a carrying capacity of 27 tons. From the shop behind the wheel of the car with the index 540 left the first Director of the plant Nikolai Derevyanko. A large-scale project to create BELAZ-firstborn was led by chief designer Zali Sirotkin. A recognizable to this day design, which has become a classic for such dump trucks, was developed by a talented Soviet designer Valentin Kobylinsky, who worked then in Moscow in the famous NAMI.

sichevich@sb.by