Discover Mongolia 2016 Underlines Sustainability

The 14th Discover Mongolia 2016 international mining investors' forum is being held from September 8 to 9, at the Corporate Convention Center, under the theme "For Sustainability".

Minister of Mining and Heavy Industry Ts.Dashdorj and Minister of Environment and Toursim D.Oyunkhorol presented the opening remarks at the forum, which was chaired by the first President of Mongolia, P.Ochirbat.

The forum organizers underlined that for the first time in the past eight years, one political party now dominates the government. They believe that this change has the ability to provide a stable legal and regulatory environment for the mining industry.

In his speech, Minister Ts.Dashdorj said that the government will prioritize issuing exploration licenses with increased transparency. He said, "Firstly, exploration license applicants need to submit a request to the Mineral Resource Authority and register to get an electronic number. Afterwards, they send their requests to local mayors for review. But in most cases, local mayors and representatives from citizens' representative khurals don't issue permission. That's why we want to change the sequence of exploration license issuance procedure. We believe that first reaching agreements with local mayors is vital."

Minister Dashdorj reported that the Ministry of Mining and Heavy Industry is cooperating with the Ministry of Environment and Tourism to bring the Law on Investment into compliance with other laws, and to create a legal environment on mine closure.

Chair of the forum, former President P.Ochirbat said, "The global economic situation has been difficult in the last three years. But in other countries, new technology, standards, and management are being introduced. The [economic] situation worsens when mining sector risk is added to state policy risk. As for Mongolia, the mining sector makes up around 80 percent of the nation's total exports, and receives a majority of its foreign direct investment."

P.Ochirbat underlined that there are many challenges related to infrastructure in the mining sector. "It's time for us to understand that we can't waste time by not establishing infrastructure. We've already lost over ten years. Mongolia now needs sustainable state policy. We are not able to utilize our Tavan Tolgoi mine given to us from God."

"The government said that it won't send Mongolian students abroad. This is all wrong. Even though technique is important, everything is made by people. Mongolia...