Recent news
It has always been a magazine of the times
Looking back, 2008 was a landmark year for the mining industry of Mongolia. Mining began in many deposits, reserve estimates in several already discovered deposits were re-estimated, and talks began on operating Oyu Tolgoi and Tavan Tolgoi.
End of confusion over “long-titled” law in sight
The law prohibiting exploration and extraction in certain water and forest areas, commonly known as the“long-titled” law, continues to be in limbo. Belying expectations, the special session of the State Great Khural did not discuss the draft regulatory law to amend several of its disputed provisions. Some reconciliation of opposing positions is now likely before the Fall session. N.Aruintuya explores how the proposed amendments will alter the law.
Bureau Veritas brings state-of-the-art laboratory to Mongolia
Bureau Veritas, a global leader in Testing, Inspection and Certification (TIC), has opened a state-of-the-art coal testing facility in Ulaanbaatar. It will service the technical needs of the coal industry by providing analytical facilities, technical support and consulting services.
Shale gas in Mongolia – more questions than answers
The conflict between the claims of industry-based growth and environmental protectionism will not be resolved until both sides appreciate the merits of their antagonists’ position and agree to abandon unreasonable posturing.
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.
Rising FDI means more GDP
The contents of the Draft Investment Law were published in our August issue and this month we present some of the views of The National Council for Support of the Private Sector on the draft. We hope Parliament considers these before taking up the draft for discussion at its special session.
MMJ co-hosting forum on the mineral sector
The Mongolian Mining Journal is adding another feather to its cap as it prepares to organise a forum to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the modern Mongolian mineral sector. We shall be working in conjunction with the Office of the President and the forum will be held at the Government Palace in November 2013.
Upgrading laboratories brooks no delay
The geological testing of a mineral in any reserve is essential before it begins to be extracted. Our enthusiasm as themining sector expands and fresh large projects come on the anvil must not make us overlook this most important yet underestimated component of mining.
Orkhon River diversion project “spells disaster”
Tsetseghkorol, a herder, stares out nostalgically at the Orkhon River, the longest in Mongolia. “In 1992, the river used to be wide, deep and clean,” she says. “Now it is very polluted and small.”
Let’s hope that the newly built railroads don’t wind up being useless in the end
Interview with S. Haltarbanid, railroad engineer for MTZ (Mongolian Railroad). A very experienced engineer who during his many years working with the Russians on the construction of the railroad has made over 30,000 km of railroad blueprints. He is concerned that, in the end, the newly laid railroads will become useless. Please read the reasons for his concern from the following interview, conducted by reporter N.Ariuntuya.
How Mongolia became the mouse that roared
Turquoise Hill Netherlands is a little-known Amsterdam-based company with three employees, no office, and not even its own mailbox. To the government of Mongolia, though, the company represents billions in taxes that it will never see.
