Interview

MARC MELEARD: A MUTUAL UNDERSTANDING WITH LOCAL COMMUNITIES IS ESSENTIAL FOR THE SUCCESS OF MINING PROJECTS INTERVIEW WITH MARC MELEARD, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF BADRAKH ENERGY LLC

KH.SANCHIGDORJ: AERIAL GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH UNDERWAY ACROSS MONGOLIA The government believes that by intensifying thematic geological research and conducting detailed prospecting, it can identify areas with potential for mineral deposits and uncovering themto attract foreign investment. Kh.Sanchigdorj, Director of the Geological Policy Department at the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources, presented the government's policy for the geological sector, detailing various projects and programs, including the progress of aerial electromagnetic research.

S.OYUNBAT: WE NEED TO THOROUGHLY EXPLORE THE RARE EARTH MINERALS IN OUR COUNTRY Rare earth elements are a relatively new topic for our country's mineral sector. However, S.Oyunbat, a Mongolian consultant geologist with a PhD, is quite familiar with these elements. Geo-Info, a consulting company specializing in geo-information and exploration, was established by S.Oyunbat and has been active in the field since 2008. The company discovered the Ulaan Del rare earth element deposit in Uvs aimag. In 2018, the mineralization reserve was presented to the Professional Council of Mineral Resources, discussed, and subsequently registered as a rare earth element (REE) deposit in Mongolia's Mineral Resources Fund.

G. YONDON: A COPPER CONCENTRATE PROCESSING PLANT WILL ENSURE EFFICIENCY AND REDUCE WASTE We need to first mention the foundational concept known as the ‘Four Tree Structure’ which initiated the establishment of manufacturing and processing plants. As part of the 2020-2024 Government Action Program, construction of heavy industry plants in various locations with developed infrastructure and proximity to population centers was endorsed by the Parliament on August 28, 2020. These decisions were made at the policy level.

S. NARANTSOGT: WE WILL DEVELOP A CLUSTER FOR SYSTEMATIC PRODUCTION OF VALUE ADDED PRODUCTS S.Narantsogt, CEO of Erdenes Mongolia LLC, discussed strategically important initiatives, including the establishment of an industrial complex outlined in the medium-term strategic plans of the Erdenes Mongolia group. He also highlighted the investment agreement with the French state-owned company Orano Mining.

S. NARANTSOGT: WE WILL DEVELOP A CLUSTER FOR SYSTEMATIC PRODUCTION OF VALUE-ADDED PRODUCTS S. Narantsogt, CEO of Erdenes Mongolia LLC, discussed strategically important initiatives, including the establishment of an industrial complex outlined in the medium-term strategic plans of the Erdenes Mongolia group. He also highlighted the investment agreement with the French state-owned company Orano Mining.

B. BAT-ERDENE: SUPPORTING RESPONSIBLE MINING IS NOT JUST A MINING INDUSTRY PROBLEM MMJ journalist B. Ariunaa spoke with the Minister of Environment and Tourism, B. Bat-Erdene about environmental legislation, subsoil, its use and protection, underground and surface water resources, and how to prevent soil erosion.

J. GANBAT: ERDENES TAVANTOLGOI WILL ESTABLISH A STABLE AND TRANSPARENT SYSTEM MMJ journalist B. Ariunaa interviewed the Special Plenipotentiary Representative of the Government, J. Ganbat, about the activities of Erdenes Tavantolgoi JSC, the best investor in the mining industry, and the developments and problems faced by the company in recent years.

TS. BYAMBATSEREN: THE ALTAN TSAGAAN OVOO PROJECT IS PLANNED TO CONTINUE UNTIL 2036 Steppe Gold participated in the Eastern conference “Responsible Mining” organized by the National Mining Association of Mongolia. How is responsible mining developing in the Eastern region, especially in Dornod aimag where you work

TS. BYAMBATSEREN: THE ALTAN TSAGAAN OVOO PROJECT IS PLANNED TO CONTINUE UNTIL 2036 Interview with D. Byambatseren, President of Steppe Gold Company, about the “Altan Tsagaan Ovoo” project, which is being implemented in Tsagaan-Ovoo soum, Dornod aimag.

G.Manlaijav: Mongolia will emerge as a new player in the global uranium market Human development cannot be separated from energy. The development path of any country is inextricably linked to the energy sector. Currently, there is a growing demand for inexpensive, safe, and clean energy all over the world. To address the challenges of global climate change, and energy crisis and meet the growing demand, countries are increasingly interested in nuclear energy.

NATURAL GAS WILL PLAY AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN MONGOLIA’S ECONOMY Have you completed the methane gas exploration phase and moved on to the next phase? There was information that pilot production wells were drilled

D.Gan-Ochir: THE ESTABLISHMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCE INSTITUTIONS WILL LAY THE FOUNDATION FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF DEEP PROCESSING, HIGH-TECH AND PRODUCTIVE INDUSTRIES Economic growth reached 7.9% in the first quarter of 2023butslowed down to 5.9% in May. International banking and financial organizations report that unpredictable situations such as sudden recession and banking crises may occur in the global economy.

N. Byambasuren: Our main goal is to support customers through our products and services The upcoming "Mongolia Mining 2023" international mining and oil expo, now in its 12th year, is set to gather the premier companies from Mongolia's thriving mining sector. In an insightful discussion, I had the privilege of speaking with N. Byambasuren, CEO of Mines Up LLC, silver sponsor of the expo. Mines Up LLC is set to contribute its expertise and innovation to the industry showcase.

S.Narantsogt, Executive Director of Erdenes Mongolia LLC: Implementing large-scale mineral and industrial projects in cooperation with Germany The 9th meeting of the Mongolian-German Economic Committee was held in Ulaanbaatar on June 5, 2023. It was chaired by S. Narantsogt, executive director of Erdenes Mongolia LLC. The head of the German side of the committee was Hans-Christoph Brumberg, director of the Asia region and CEO of WPD LLC which works in the field of design, financing and development of renewable energy projects.

J. ZOLJARGAL: A PRODUCTION SHARING AGREEMENT (PSA) MUST BE AMENDED TO EXTRACT METHANE GAS A number of exploration companies have been exploring and researching methane gas for more than five years

B. UYANGA: DETAILED EXPLORATION IS UNDERWAY AT TWO RARE EARTH ELEMENT PROJECTS Training was organized among geologists on applying the classifi cation of mineral deposits. Journalist D. Oyunchimeg used the opportunity

N. TEGSHBAYAR: OUR TIME FOR URANIUM MINING IS COMING Rare earth elements are becoming an important raw material that is attracting a lot of attention around the world. But so far, the reserves of rare earth elements in our country have not been fully determined, and we cannot even conduct exploration.

Marc Meleard: Mining of uranium deposits will greatly contribute to Mongolian energy independence By D.Oyunchimeg Interviewed Marc Meleard, executive director of “Badrakh Energy” company about Zuuvch-Ovoo project, the most advanced uranium project in Mongolia.

E. Bolormaa: our goal is to become an economically independent aimag Interviewed by J. Saruul E. Bolormaa, Governor of Khovd aimag, discussed local development issues, challenges, solutions, and planned activities.