Interview
Erdene Resource has built relationships of trust, study finds
Erdene Resource Development describes itself as “a company that is focused on creating value for all stakeholders, doing things ‘The Erdene Way’ ”. A core element of this “Erdene way” is its commitment to make positive contributions to local economic development.
Alarming prospect of water shortage in the Gobi
D.Chandmani, Head of the Altai Uvur Gobi River Basin Authority, tells G.Iderkhangai that lack of enough water in the southern Gobi is an issue of concern for not just the mines there. There are options to stop the situation getting critical but not much can be done without government support, which is lacking.
Consulting firm will run the oil refinery
Following the laying of its foundation stone on 22 June, hopes are high that Mongolia will finally have the long-talked-about oil refinery. The investment of $1 billion is assured, and work should soon begin on the planned two-stage construction. G.Ider asks B.Ankhbayar, Head of the Division of Non-metallic Mineral Production at the Ministry of Mining and Heavy Industry, how things are at the moment.
113 projects make it to national programme list
E.Odjargal finds out from B.Bayarsaikhan, head of the National Development Agency, how projects are selected for inclusion in the national investment programme and the strategic goals of the “Three pillar development policy”.
Hasu Megawatt: a pioneer company growing bigger, better, and stronger
Hasu Megawatt LLC is one of the Mongolian companies that are growing together with the Oyu Tolgoi project, bringing in international expertise, cutting edge technology and sophisticated know-how, and thus preparing a new generation of high-skill local professionals for the mineral sector.
Bilateral ties through Russian envoy’s eyes
The Russia-Mongolia intergovernmental commission recently held its 21st meeting, where important issues were raised, as between two old friends, and important decisions taken, as would take the partnership forward in challenging times. E.Odjargal talks to long-time Russian Ambassador to Mongolia.
Gold-2: Good ideas poorly implemented
G.Iderkhangai finds out from E.Enkhbat, Executive Director of the Gold Producers’ Association, why the sector thinks the Gold-2 programme is good on paper but poor in execution.
Group studies the economics of water, and is worried
Mongolia has two major water consumption areas – Ulaanbaatar and the southern Gobi region. The first has population pressure, while the second is where mining and economic activity will become more and more intense.
“Mongolians can do TAVANTOLGOI extraction work themselves”
N.Ariuntuya finds out from the Executive Director of Erdenes Tavan Tolgoi, D.Ariunbold, about the present state of affairs in the company, and the likely challenges ahead. Some bold decisions are long overdue to fulfil the company’s potential but these can be taken only at the political level.
The IMF program “will not solve structural problems”
Prof. Dr. Hans-Werner Sinn, who retired in 2016 as President of the Ifo Institute and Director of the Centre for Economic Studies in Munich, Germany, was in Mongolia in 2013 and then again in August-September, 2017.
“We must respect local citizens’ views”
The thrust on reviving mineral exploration has led to a decision to issue special exploration permits on 41.4 million hectares of land, or 26.4% of Mongolian territory. Permits for 31.2 million hectares will be issued under application, while those on the remaining 10.2 million hectares will be decided under the selection process. N.Ariuntuya spoke to B.Baatartsogt, Head of the Mineral Resources and Petroleum Authority, to find out where and how matters stand.
“Oil price rise will bring in new investment”
S.Bold-Erdene talks to Ch.Chuluunbat, Head of the Fuel Policy Department in the Mining and Heavy Industry Ministry, about amendments to the product sharing agreement, extraction of crude oil, consumption and investments.
