Efficiency of peat production (Tomsk Region) In present-day conditions

In Tomsk region 1444 peat bogs were identified, including a totaldeposit area of 7988209 hectares and ultimate reserves of 30, 7 billion tonnes. The maximum peat production (2,8 m.tonnes per year) wasreached in 1988. At that time 39 peat bogs were being exploited, seven of which by milling method; while non-specialized (expert) organizationsextracted the remaining rather small deposits. However, since 1988 the peat production declined steadily. As a result, all peat productionbases were liquidated and the commercial peat production ceased in the 1990s. The price factor was the main reason for the peat productiondecline. Conceptual approaches in peat resource development could be elaborated only on the basis of risk analysis of peat application in that oranother area. Subsequently, these risks are due not only to the present-day economic and legal factors, but also to the past drawbacks of theapplied methods in peat prospecting. As a rule, previous peat prospecting was conducted excluding geological, technological, economic, legaland other factors determining the feasible opportunities and perspective development plans. As a result, there are excess raw sources, lack offactual consumers, serious problems in the deposit development design, from confirmed geological reserves to business competition with alternativesources in different peat application areas. Implementation of extraction plants to develop peat in agriculture areas is economically unpracticalbecause of the huge burdensome payments. The only solution in this case could be independent peat prospecting and development bythe property agricultural owners themselves and further application of extracted peat for their own needs, of course, with no burdensome paymentsinvolved. Thus, agriculture enterprises would have easy access to peat deposits and further consumer cost saving in peat production anddevelopment. Peat production would be more efficient in those forest areas where land rent taxes are not so high. Peat production profitabilitycould be 700-750 rubles/tn in future demand of the following: mud preparation, construction heat-insulating material production, earth fillingfor warm-house farms, retail of packed peat for gardening and room plants, medicine and balneotherapeutic drugs. Ultimately, serious marketingresearch should be conducted in determining such peat applications.

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