Whenever Mongolia’s mining growth is discussed, the conversation usually turns to mineral resources, investment, railways, border crossings and markets. Yet there is another issue that is no less important, and in some cases should come even earlier: energy. Every next-stage objective in mining, from opening new mines and building processing plants to expanding production capacity, electrifying transport and reducing carbon emissions, depends directly on access to energy. At the same time, Mongolia’s energy sector needs new investment, stable consumers and long-term demand. Mining is one of the largest sources of that demand. In other words, it is too narrow to view mining and energy as two separate policy sectors. This is why Mining Insight and Energy Insight magazines are organizing the Joint Forum “Connecting the Future of Mining and Energy” as part of Mongolia Mining Week.
The programme will begin with a presentation titled “Powering the Future of Mining” and continue with a session on “Solutions and Opportunities for New Mining and Energy Projects.” This will be followed by discussions on project solutions and the legal and regulatory environment. Our aim is to bring the two sectors closer together and create a common space for cross-sector dialogue. In Mongolia, mining projects often face the need to secure their own energy supply. At the same time, the ability to add new renewable energy capacity depends directly on how much the power system can absorb, balance and store. On the other hand, the green transition is beginning to affect mining companies’ costs, technology choices, financing and, ultimately, competitiveness. When these issues are discussed separately, part of the solution is always left in the other room. In other words, mining challenges cannot be fully addressed without energy, and the energy transition cannot be fully addressed without mining. The Joint Forum therefore aims to view these issues as part of one interconnected system and seek practical solutions at the intersection of mining, energy and the green transition. It is also insufficient to see mining companies simply as energy consumers. Large mining operations can generate enough demand to make new energy projects economically viable. Likewise, the energy sector is not merely infrastructure for mining.
Reliable, competitively priced and cleaner energy is a fundamental condition not only for extracting and exporting Mongolia’s minerals, but also for processing them domestically and creating greater value. Without this connection, industrialization cannot be discussed seriously. The second part of the forum will focus on the role of renewable energy in reducing carbon emissions, the electrification of mine transport, and the broader theme “Transitioning to Green Mining: Energy, Technology and Competitiveness.” Bringing government, mining and energy companies, international organizations and technology providers into one discussion reflects our view that the green transition should be approached not only as an environmental issue, but also as a question of investment, technology and business competitiveness. This perspective will become increasingly important for Mongolia’s mining sector. Global mining competition is no longer determined only by the size of a deposit, ore grade and production costs. The source of energy used in production, the level of emissions generated, the degree of transport electrification and the carbon footprint of the final product are becoming increasingly linked to market access, investment and financing decisions. Mongolia’s next major mining project cannot be imagined without energy. Likewise, it is difficult to imagine the country’s next major energy project without a large-scale economic consumer. So where should these two sectors meet? In policy, investment, project planning and technology choices. And most importantly, in the same room and at the same table. We believe the role of the media should not be limited to reporting on events. Specialized media can identify and raise important issues, bring together different stakeholder perspectives, facilitate policy dialogue and create platforms for finding shared solutions. This is why our two magazines are participating in Mining Week as a platform connecting the mining and energy sectors. The inclusion of B2B meetings at the end of the forum reflects the same approach. The true value of discussions on stage will be measured by whether they lead to real projects, technologies, investment and cooperation. If Mongolia’s mining sector is to move to a new stage, it will need new energy.
If Mongolia’s energy sector is to move to a new stage, it will need new demand, new investment and new business models. The intersection of these needs is where Mongolia’s next opportunity for growth lies. The Joint Forum organized by Mining Insight and Energy Insight aims to make this intersection clearer and to begin a discussion on plann ing the future of the two sectors together rather than separately. We invite representatives of the mining and energy sectors to come together in one room at the Joint Forum and discuss the solutions that will shape their shared future.
