Press-centre

18 march 2026

BELAZ and Kuzbassrazrezugol celebrate 60 years of collaboration. Over these years, the strategic partnership between Belarusian equipment manufacturers and Kuzbass coal miners has not only transformed Kuzbass coal mining but also strengthened its industrial potential.

March 18, 1966, marked the beginning of a new era in the history of coal mining in Kuzbass. On this day, the first BELAZ mining dump truck in the Kedrovsky open-pit mine of Kuzbassrazrezugol, the legendary BELAZ-540 with a payload capacity of 27 tons, was commissioned in Kemerovo Oblast. This landmark moment marked the beginning of large-scale development of open-pit coal mining in the region, laying the foundation for a strong and mutually beneficial partnership between Belarus and Kuzbass, which today celebrates its 60th anniversary.

"Kuzbass is a region of strategic importance for us. Historically, it was at the Kuzbassrazrezugol open-pit mines that the character of our equipment was forged for decades. Here, in a real-world production environment, we are working together to refine our product range and implement breakthrough innovations. Over these 60 years, our partnership has served a single goal: the steady growth of the industrial potential of the Kuzbass mineral resources and Belarusian mechanical engineering," emphasized Sergey Lesin, General Director of OJSC "BELAZ" - Management Company of Holding "BELAZ-HOLDING"

Over these six decades, miners have set dozens of all-Union and national records using Belarusian mining equipment. Today, the Kuzbassrazrezugol mining company's fleet includes BELAZ dump trucks with payload capacities ranging from 130 to 360 tons, as well as water sprinkling vehicles, fuel trucks and recovery tractors manufactured in Belarus. The company's miners were the first to test one of the world's largest mining dump trucks — BELAZ-75600 with a payload capacity of 320 tons. The first BELAZ grader has also been undergoing production tests at the coal company's site since 2025. 36 new mining dump trucks are planned to be delivered in 2026.

"Sixty years ago, the first BELAZ vehicle in Kuzbass entered our mine, and today we operate over 600 units of Belarusian-made main and auxiliary equipment, which form the core of the company's fleet. Partnership with BELAZ is not just about supplying mining equipment; it is about working together on technology, reliability, and productivity. We are proud of our history and our joint achievements," noted Stanislav Matva, General Director of Kuzbassrazrezugol Management Company.

BELAZ and Kuzbassrazrezugol have also established a long-term social partnership. The equipment manufacturers and coal miners jointly develop sports grounds in mining towns and villages in Kemerovo Oblast, organize summer recreation programs for employees' children in Kuzbass and Belarus, and host sports and manufacturing competitions.

Thus, the 60-year cooperation between BELAZ and Kuzbassrazrezugol is not simply a history of equipment supplies but also a shining example of a successful partnership based on innovation, reliability, and social responsibility.