Nuclear Energy Commission chief reprimanded

A special Cabinet meeting on February 26 took the following decisions after going through a report from  Ch.Khurelbaatar, Minister of Mongolia and Chief of the Cabinet Secretariat, on certain developments in the nuclear energy sector.

1.    The Nuclear Energy Commission would take steps to see that licences on radioactive minerals, illegally re-registered or issued after November 15, 2009,  are regularised to comply with related laws and submit a report to the Cabinet by March 15. Ch.Khurelbaatar would monitor the progress of the work.

2.    The NEC would immediately publicise the following provisions in the current law  through local and international media:

2.1.    Article 7.1 of the Nuclear Energy Law stating that any decision taken at a meeting of shareholders, the board of directors, and the executive management of a company holding a licence to explore and exploit radioactive minerals will be valid only upon  confirmation by the Nuclear Energy Commission if it pertains to
•    the sale, gift, placement as a collateral, or transfer of more than 5 percent of the total shares of the company;
•    newly issued securities convertible into shares, or additional shares exceeding 5 percent of the total shares previously issues by the company;
•    re-structuring the company by means of merging, integrating, splitting and separating holdings.

2.2.    Article 7.2 of the same law stating that any decision by the holder of a licence to explore and exploit radioactive mineral to sell, present, place as collateral or transfer  ownership  of more than 5 percent of its shares shall be submitted to the Nuclear Energy Commission with an original copy of the decision, the name and address of the holder of the licence and the scope of his activity within 14 days of the decision being taken. The Commission might call for more information if it finds that necessary.
2.3.    The Commission shall decide on whether to approve any such move within 30 days of receipt of the documents as specified in clause 7.2.

2.4.    If the holder of a licence, as specified in clauses 15.1.2, 15.1.5 and 15.1.6 of this law, fails to fulfil his liabilities, as specified in clauses 7.1 and 7.2 of the law, the state administrative authority in charge of nuclear energy issues shall revoke the license.

3.    The Nuclear Energy Commission and the State Property Commission would ensure state participation in exploitation of radioactive minerals pursuant to Articles 5.2 and 5.3 of the Nuclear Energy Law.

4.    The Nuclear Energy Commission would review the conditions and requirements governing the activity of exploration and mining license holders of radioactive minerals.

5.    Ch.Khurelbaatar would  take action against S.Enkhbat, Chief of the NEC, who did not fulfil his responsibility and failed to take measures to implement the law. Similarly, Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy D.Zorigt, would take action against officials of the Mineral Resource Authority who also breached the law and failed in their responsibilities. 
Ya.Sodbaatar, Chief of the State Agency of Specialized Inspection, would set up a working group in the NEC and the MRA to review all matters relating to the issue of  licences on radioactive minerals. This group would submit its final report to the Cabinet  by April 1.