Interview

Firstly, we should make measures to prepare export products which will succeed through the six ports in China Interview with the President of the Mongolian Exporters’ Association, certified mining engineer, professor D. Galsandorj

How delay in dealing with LLN adds to cost of compensation B.Batkhuu, Head of the Policy Implementation Agency of the Ministry of Mining, tells S.Bold-Erdene of the ways in which the issues around the law with the long name are being addressed.

First exploration licences by year-end S.Bold-Erdene finds out from B.Baatartsogt, Head of the Department of Geological Policy at the Strategy and Policy Planning Authority in the Ministry of Mining, details about issuance of new exploration licences and about the modalities of selection of 106 special licences.

“Our crisis is of our own making” Kh.Enkhsaikhan, President of Mongolian Association of Metal Producers, tells MMJ much of the crisis in the country’s mineral sector is homemade.

“We work for local and national development” S.Bold-Erdene talks to D.Otgonbayar, deputy director at Bold Tumur Eruu Gol LLC.

“The new law supports the private sector and reduces bureaucracy” Ch.Otgochuluu, Head of Strategy and Policy Planning at the Ministry of Mining, talks to S.Bold-Erdene on what lies ahead, now that the long awaited amendments to the Minerals Law have been approved.

“Mongolians must ask their own questions, find their own answers” Dr Julian Dierkes is associate professor at the Institute of Asian Research at the University of British Columbia in Canada. He has been a regular visitor to Mongolia in the past ten years and writes on developments in the country in various journals.

“The amendments will reintroduce a sense of urgency to the mining sector” B.Baatartsogt, head of the geological policy department of the strategic policy and planning authority at the Ministry of Mining, was part of the working group on amendments to the Minerals Law, to bring it in sync with the recently adopted State Policy in the Minerals Sector. N.Ariuntuya talks to him on the amendments, now awaiting discussion in Parliament.

“Selling raw coal after paying high transport costs makes little sense” Erdenes Tavan Tolgoi CEO Ya. Batsuuri tells G.Iderkhangai that better days for the coal trade are unlikely before next year and that Mongolian coal can be internationally competitive only when it is transported quicker and cheaper and only after value addition.

MONGOLIA NEEDS TRANSPARENT EXPORT PRACTICES D.Galsandorj, President of the Mongolian Exporters’ Association, consultant mining engineer and professor, talks to B.Tugsbilegt about the erosion in Mongolian mineral products’ export competitiveness and suggests corrective measures to be undertaken.

State-owned entities must have operational freedom G. Temuulen, Executive Director of Erdenes MGL, tells S. Bold-Erdene freedom from Government control is the key to the commercial success of any State-owned company. If necessary, there should be a legal bar on any form of Government involvement in a company’s daily work.

Russians “welcome, but only on competitive terms” The 17th and the latest inter-governmental meeting between Russia and Mongolia in Moscow had a long agenda and ended with several decisions to enhance collaboration between the two nations. These included some issues of importance in the mining sector. S. Bold-Erdene talks to vice minister of mining, O. Erdenebulgan, to find out more.

Peabody Energy: TT should to be developed as an integrated complex Mongolia’s economy has been suffering from an economic downturn due in part to lower commodity prices. Arshad Sayed, President for Peabody Energy in Mongolia and India, talks to MMJ on Mongolia’s economic outlook and how to enhance value creation in the country’s mining industry.

TT power plant to follow global best practices The planned thermal power plant based on Tavan Tolgoi coal is to be built with both Government and private investment. The Head of the Tavan Tolgoi Electrical Plant Proposal Department, Dr of Economics M. Enkhsaikhan, describes how things are progressing.

A forum to restore trust and revive faith N.Ariuntuya finds out from D.Bat-Erdene, advisor to the Minister of Mining, what the Ministry hopes to achieve from the “Minerals Sector – 2025” forum it is holding on January 15.

“Geologists are romantic, unique individuals” B. Bat-Erdene, head of the Mongolian Industrial Geologists Association, explains to E.Odjargal the unique nature of a geologist’s work and what leads to success in a remarkable profession.

Ambassador wants bigger role for US companies US Ambassador to Mongolia Piper Campbell took questions from MMJ during her recent visit to Peabody Winsway’s Ereen mine restoration project. She sees “potential for tremendous growth and expansion” of cooperation between Mongolia and its third neighbor, and wants U.S. companies to play a bigger role in it.

B.Enebish: Politics were leading to a long delay In the interview with MMJ, B. Enebish (former CEO of Erdenes Tavan Tolgoi and Erdenes MGL) explains why the company sees slower progress than expected.

“It has become necessary to bring Mongolian coal research to the next level.” Dr. J. Narangerel is Chief Analyst for the Mineral and Mining Experimental Laboratory of the Mineral Resources Authority. He answers E.Odjargal’s questions on how can we develop coal laboratory and opportunities for development of coal-to-liquid technology in Mongolia.

“Complete oversight of all transactions has been arranged” This is the interview with Ts. Sedvanchig,until recently Executive Director of ErdenesOyuTolgoi, that created a stir in the international media. Ts. Sedvanchigwas answering questions a few days after the first shipment from OyuTolgoi was exported.