One of the more important presentations at last month’s “Discover Mongolia-2011” was made by Ya.Bayarkhuu, head of the research and planning department in the Auto Road Authority of Mongolia. Entitled “The present situation and perspectives of Mongolia’s auto roads”, the presentation for the first time offered information on the planned auto road map at mining locations. Altogether, the plan envisages building 6,300 km of paved road.
Since there has not been any report in the media on this very significant development pertaining to mineral haulage, MMJ is listing the new routes as announced by Bayarkhuu.
• From Tamsag basin of Matad soum of Dornod aimag to the ports of Bayankhoshuu
Bichigt;
• From Nariinsukhait mine of Gurvantes soum of Umnugobi aimag to the ports of
Khangi and Shiveekhuren, and from Tsogttsetsii soum of Umnugobi aimag to
Gashuunsukhait;
• From Tumurt ore deposit of Bulgan soum of Bayan-Ulgii aimag to Yarant port;
• From Khushuut mine of Darvi soum, Khovd aimag to Yarant port;
• From the iron mine of Tseel soum of Gobi-Altai aimag to Burgastai port;
• From Tsagaan-Ovoo mine of Erdenedalai soum, Umnugobi aimag
to Gashuunsukhait port;
• From Elstei iron ore mine of Khatanbulag soum, Umnugobi aimag to Khangi port;
• From Oyu Tolgoi deposit of Khanbogd soum, Umnugobi aimag
to Gashuunsukhait port;
• From Oyut-Ovoo mine of Erdenedalai soum of Dundgobi aimag to Choir
railway station;
• From Khuut mine of Matad soum of Dornod aimag to Bichigt port;
• From the uranium deposit of Dashbalbar soum, Dornod aimag to Khavirga port; and
• From the coal deposit of Matad soum of Dornod aimag to Khavirga port.
Feasibility studies have been done or are in progress for roads covering 3,000 km, which is almost half of the total 6,300 km planned. More feasibility studies will be taken up after ongoing discussions with concerned authorities are concluded. A plan has been prepared for construction of an auto road specifically and exclusively for hauling of minerals. It will have to be approved by Parliament. Another proposal for a mineral haulage auto road in the Gobi region is also under discussion.
All the work has been done under Order No. 280 of 2009, issued by the Minister of Road, Transportation, Construction and Urban Development. They comply with the standards set for all means of transport in Mongolia. The opinion of mining companies has also been considered. A few amendments to these standards are likely.
A transport agreement has been concluded between Mongolia and China on haulage to a the border. Some other agreements are also in force on transporting minerals on some different routes. Some of these itineraries are on a temporary basis, but we give below the routes agreed upon for permanent haulage.
• From Khushuut mine of Darvi soum of Khovd aimag to Tsakhiur county of Altai aimag of Inner Mongolia through Yarant-Takeshiken border point;
• From Tamsag basin of Matad soum of Dornod aimag to Shine Barga eastern county, Khulunbuir aimag of Inner Mongolia through Bayankhoshuu border point;
• From Tamsag oil deposit of Matad soum, Dornod aimag to Shiliin gol aimag through Bichigt border point;
• From Nariinsukhait mine of Gurvantes soum of Umnugobi aimag to Shiveekhuren, Alasha and Ceke points; and
• From Elstei mine of Khatanbulag soum of Dornogobi aimag to Batkhalga county, Darkhan muu myangan, Bugat, Inner Mongolia through Khangi-Mandal border point.
The routes for temporary haulage are as follows.
• From Erdenetsagaan soum, Sukhbaatar aimag to Uliastai, Shiliin gol, Inner Mongolia through Bichigt-Zuun hatavch border point;
• From Khatanbulag soum, Dornogobi aimag to Batkhalga country, Darkhan muu myangan, Bugat, Inner Mongolia through Khangi-Mandal border point;
• From Gurvantes soum, Umnugobi aimag to Dalai Khuv, Eznii hoshuu, Alasha aimag, Inner Mongolia through Shiveekhuren-Ceke border point; and
• From Choibsalsan soum, Dornod aimag to Altan emeel, Shine barga western hoshuu of Khulunbuir aimag, Inner Mongolia through Khavirga-Ar Khashaat border point.
A working group of the Auto Road Authority will soon meet to discuss possible hauling routes from Tavan Tolgoi and Oyu Tolgoi to Gashuunsukhait-Gants mod border point. Once the condition of roads on the Mongolian side is improved, talks with Chinese authorities will begin on routes from Kherlen soum, center of Dornod aimag, to Manchuria through Khavirga and Ar Khashaat border points of Inner Mongolia and from Ulaanbaatar to Tianjin through Zamin-uud-Erlian.