You might have already guesed the main topic of this issue from the headline on the cover of Mining Insight magazine. February 2025 began with significant events in the Mongolian mining industry. These events are linked to the series of decisions made by the government regarding the determination of state ownership in strategic deposits, which have been discussed repeatedly in Cabinet meetings. In the first week of February, during a government meeting (February 6, 2025), it was announced that former Member of Parliament J. Batzandan had been appointed as the Government’s Plenipotentiary Representative (PR) to negotiate the state ownership share in strategically important deposits. The issue was overseen by the head of the Cabinet Secretariat, N. Uchral, and the exact scope of powers and responsibilities of the new PR remained unclear.
Shortly after, on February 17, 2025, a working group led by the Deputy Minister of Justice and Internal Affairs was formed through a decree from the Prime Minister of Mongolia (Order No. 32). This group was tasked with reviewing the issue of granting special mining licenses for strategically significant coal deposits, particularly for the Tavan Tolgoi coal group, to private enterprises. The group was also to evaluate the decisions made by the Parliament and the government regarding these matters and prepare relevant proposals. Within just nine days, on February 26, 2025, the working group, headed by the Minister of Justice and Internal Affairs, O. Altangerel, presented their findings on the government’s decision to grant the Ukhaakhudag deposit to the private sector. They concluded that the 2007 Parliamentary resolution to designate Ukhaakhudag as a strategically important deposit had not been fulfilled and had been violated up until now, suggesting that further investigation into the matter was needed. Throughout February, with each Cabinet meeting, the issue of determining the state ownership share in strategic deposits was repeatedly discussed. Every meeting seemed to bring new decisions, as outlined in the summary above. In the meantime, the PR held a press conference (February 20, 2025), making bold claims and announcements. Following these events, Mining Insight magazine published a comprehensive report in its February issue, reflecting on the ongoing process. This includes revisiting the legal framework established by the amended 2006 Minerals Law and the famous 27th Parliamentary Resolution of 2007, along with government agreements made concerning certain deposits mentioned in these documents. The article aims to provide clarification and factual information about the developments surrounding these events. Additionally, it stresses that the ongoing developments are not limited to just the strategic deposits but also concern the future growth of Mongolia’s mining sector.
Thus, the outcome of the initial negotiations with the companies Energy Resources and Mongolyn Alt (MАK), along with their leaders, J. Odjargal and B. Nyamtaishir, will play a crucial role in determining the principles for state ownership in strategic deposits. The results of these negotiations will shape the direction of future agreements. As S. Bold Erdene wrote in his article “The Destiny Strategic Deposits Lies in the Hands of B.Nyamtaishir and J.Odjargal”, the future of Mongolia’s mining industry is tied to the successful advancement of large-scale gold and copper projects, which will help unlock new opportunities for other projects in the sector. This will influence the choices made for the country’s mining future, and the entire industry awaits with hope and expectation that the government will engage in meaningful negotiations. At this moment, Mongolia’s mining community is holding its breath. Information is flowing in only one directionfrom the government, through the Prime Minister and the Ministers. There is a lack of multi faceted perspectives, public debate, and healthy social discussions.
