Discover Mongolia

I have been talking to participants at Discover Mongolia sessions since 2005 and have been struck by how their mood and attitude change from year to year. We must remember that these are people who have always passionately believed that Mongolia’s future depends on mining. Indeed it was the conviction and foresight of some NGOs and private enterprises such as the Mongolian National Mining Association, the Association of Geologists, Mine Info and Monrud LLC that resulted in the first Discover Mongolia in the autumn of 2003.

The mood surrounding the upcoming 7th conference is upbeat. In earlier years, the event drew hordes of investors but Government authorities often ignored it. This time, however, things look set for a change, with the Government actively projecting itself as a stakeholder in the development of the mining sector. It seems the Government has belatedly discovered a basic truth about Mongolia. It has realized that exploration and development projects concern and benefit not only mining companies, but also the Mongolian Government. The Mongolian Mining Journal strives to facilitate the networking and finding of partners for investors, State authorities and financial institutions and is happy at this long-delayed but welcome change.

This issue presents a list of 26 major projects of the Government to the investors. It appears both in English and Mongolian and gives information on the sectors covered, and the support likely to come from the Mongolian Government. A careful study will give a clear idea of business opportunities in present and new areas in the coming few years.

This issue is also our first anniversary issue. Our first year has been eventful, with the minerals sector facing several highs and lows in Mongolia. The Mongolian Mining Journal has recorded them and shared your moments of gratification as well as disappointment. If you re-read the pages which report on these events you will find that we have strictly followed a policy of neutrality and have, without bias, given the different points of view, without fear or favour.

MMJ’s first issue was published as it worked as the Media partner of Discover Mongolia 2008 and since then we have created a niche for ourselves in the media market. I would like to thank all who gave us various forms of support and helped the fledgling journal grow stronger and more confident. The list of organizations and individuals who have encouraged us to move forward and contributed articles for MMJ is long and I thank them all, even as I mention only some of them.

They are: The Mongolian National Mining Association; the Mining Banking Department and the Marketing Department of the Khan Bank; the World Bank; MCS Holding; Bucyrus; Erdenes MGL; East Asia; the National Development and Innovation Committee; the Nuclear Energy Agency; the first President of Mongolia P.Ochirbat; E.Bat-Munkh, Director of Solomon Resources Mongolia; N.Bolor, policy analyst of the MNMA; Dr.A.Undraa; Dr.N.Norov; Dr.L.Purev; Dr.O.Chuluun; the Association of Environmental NGOs of Mongolia; Ambassador G.Batsukh; Ambassador J.Enkhsaikhan; Director of EDN LLC Ch.Ganbold; MP and President of the Association of Geologists of Mongolia S.Oyun; MPs O.Chuluunbat, Ch.Khulbaatar, R.Amarjargal, and Kh.Narankhuu; Advisor to the Parliament Speaker D.Davaasambuu; Advisor to the Prime Minister N.Enkhbayar; Advisor to the President P.Tsagaan; Director of Budget Department of the Ministry of Finance B.Batjargal; the Media Department of Parliament; reporters at the daily Unuudur; the whole team of www.news.mn; GAMMA photo agency; and cartoonist S.Tsogtbayar. I wish them all the best.

As the mining sector gets ready to spearhead the development of Mongolia, the need to disseminate accurate and relevant information about the sector gets stronger. This affects investors and those who work for them, policy makers and those who implement them, and last, but not the least, the general public. We hope to produce ger issues in our second year. Not merely will the number of pages increase but there will be a wider variety in the contents and the frequency of publication will also go up. It is my pleasure to repeat that the MMJ does not work for anybody and has no axe to grind. It is proud of its independence and thrives solely because it meets the demand for information without losing its sense of perspective.