Interview

“Mining governance has a formal aspect, and an informal one” The need to improve the quality of mining governance, in both private and State-owned companies, is now a priority in countries seeking to make optimal use of their natural resources.

Smart furniture that creates an environment and workspace which encourages employees to do their best as individuals and as a team is in Anun has already made its mark in the Mongolian furniture industry as a modern high quality office furniture manufacturer and supplier. In recent years organizations of all industries such as banks, financial institutes, educational and cultural organizations and mining companies are keen on buying furniture from “Anun”.

“When we invest we invest for a long term” Earlier this month, Jean Sebastien Jacques, who took over as CEO of Rio Tinto not so long ago brought the entire board of the mining giant to Mongolia for a trip to the Oyu Tolgoi site. He and the Rio Chairman also met with the Prime Minister to discuss various issues related to the OT project. S.Bold-Erdene of the MMJ was among the Mongolian journalists who spoke to him. This is a fair but not literal transcript of the conversation.

The MRC Code will help Mongolian professionals gain international recognition Joining CRIRSCO (Committee for Mineral Reserves International Reporting Standards) in October 2014 as its 8th member meant Mongolia could use the internationally recognized MRC Code.

Interview with Battuya Jalbasuren, Managing Partner, Chinggis Law LLP My name is Battuya Jalbasuren. I am a Managing Partner of Chinggis Law LLP. We’re lawyers and attorneys who provide legal consulting services and advocacies specializing in mining, commercial and corporate areas of law. My partner Batbayar Enkhee is an attorney with extensive experience in administrative and criminal law practices

“We are doing all that we can to get more for our coal” S.Bold-Erdene asks T.Bilgee, Executive Director of Erdenes Tavan Tolgoi JSC, for updated information on the company and also to get his views on current issues.

“Using professional valuers will increase deposit worth” Mongolian mining sector, there are several issues to be paid attention such as creation of new legal environment, improvement to the existing methodologies of mineral deposit valuation, training of professional valuers. Regarding these issues, we have talked with mineral economist, doctor and professor D.Galsandorj.

Mongolia’s uranium: now and tomorrow E.Odjargal finds out from E.Galbadral, Executive Director of Mon-Atom LLC, the current state of Mongolia’s uranium deposits, and what the future holds.

“Mining will rebound it’s a matter of time” Ian McNeil, Chief Operating Officer at Khishig Arvin Industrial LLC, has been in Mongolia since 2006 and tells MMJ he remains an optimist.

UB Railway gearing up for bigger international role E.Odjargal finds out from L.Purevbaatar, Director of Ulaanbaatar Railway JSC, the role it expects to play in the planned economic corridor between Asia and Europe through Russia, Mongolia and China.

“China offers huge opportunities but also high risks” Mongolia’s economic growth depends quite a lot on what happens in China. Dr. D.Shurkhuu of the Institute of International Studies at the Mongolian Academy of Science tells G.Iderkhangai how decisions taken at the recent meeting in Beijing of the National People’s Congress are likely to impact the Mongolian economy, especially its mining sector.

Erdenet to buy more from domestic producers The Ministry of Industry, which has announced 2016 will be the year of support for the domestic industrial sector, hosted, together with the President’s Office, a meeting on January 15 at Tuushin Hotel with producers, during which it signed a memorandum of cooperation with Erdenet Mining Corp.

I.K.AZIZOV: Renewing the Mongolian shareholder is an open issue Iskander K. Azizov, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation to Mongolia, talks to E. Odjargal on the issues, including the current relations and economic cooperation between Russia and Mongolia.

MAK raring to go, waits for money Several agreements relating to the Mongolyn Alt LLC (or MAK, as it is popularly known) were signed in October, bringing hope and cheer to the mining sector.

“Mongolia’s base for development is still very robust” Matthieu Le Blan, Head of the EBRD Residence Office in Ulaanbaatar, tells N.Ariuntuya of MMJ why “Mongolia remains very much a land of opportunity”, how the EBRD Board rates the utilisation of the investments made by the bank in Mongolia and what its future strategy and role in the country would be.

“I do not see copper prices rising before 2018” Dr D.Galsandorj, certified consulting engineer, tells MMJ about the sorry state of the global copper market now and expresses his apprehension that the outlook will not be any brighter in the near future, which could mean serious trouble for the Erdenet copper company.

“Being in business is like running a marathon race” Erdenes Mongol CEO B.Byambasaikhan tells S. Bold-Erdene why State-owned companies should be kept free of political interference, and why corporate success comes from vision, planning, and preparedness.

MNMA chief faults online licensing process Mongolian National Mining Association (MNMA) President N.Algaa answers MMJ’s questions on the recently started practice of online issuance of exploration licences.

“It will be better to get a mediator in the Rio dispute” Recently Mongolia lost a case submitted by Khan Resources to arbitration and the Rio Tinto dispute also might be referred to arbitration. S.Bold-Erdene talks to arbiter and legal advisor T.Altangerel to find out more about what the process entails.

Michael Jonas: Mongolia’s oil shale reserves are of global appeal MMJ had discussion with Michael Jonas, executive vice president of Genie Oil and Gas Inc., of his company’s projects in Mongolia. Mr.Jonas is in charge for developing Genie’s business in Mongolia and one of founding members of Mongolian Oil Shale Association.