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<\/p>\n-Conclusions and reviews of the presenter, Executive Director of MUUA, G. Erdenetuya-<\/p>\n
The MOUAA has launched a series of podcasts called ‘Mining Pulse’ in the context of the ‘Mining Week, Minepro’ international conference and exhibition, releasing a total of 16 episodes. Through this series, we aimed to discuss the pressing issues in the sector from various angles and seek solutions. We invited members of parliament, government officials, private sector representatives, researchers, and representatives of professional associations to discuss various issues surrounding the mining and mineral resources sector. For instance, we summarize repeated and highlighted content from podcasts that cover a wide range of topics including foreign investment, legal reforms, industry policy, supply chain, human resources, technological revolution, rare earth elements, high-tech raw materials, and regional as well as inter-sectoral cooperation.<\/p>\n
The mining sector is the main engine of the Mongolian economy. It accounts for 30% of GDP, 72% of the industrial sector, 79% of foreign direct investment, 94% of exports, and 30% of the state budget revenues. When the prices of raw materials fluctuate on the international market, it has a direct impact on the Mongolian economy. Therefore, all stakeholders agree that it is essential to support the main economic sector with appropriate policies and ensure sustainable development. In addition to major policy decisions, there are many challenges ahead of us, such as expanding exploration, implementing technological innovations, and ensuring a stable workforce. Therefore, regardless of the differences between the private sector and state ownership, we are mapping out a development strategy for the sector together with a unified goal.<\/p>\n
One of the main obstacles to our country’s development is the uncertain and unstable legal environment, which is undeniable. The process of enacting new laws and constantly amending and updating existing ones disrupts the actual operations across all sectors, leading to negative consequences in the medium and long term. Additionally, reviewing and revisiting decisions made based on previous circumstances under today’s laws and current conditions undermines social trust and the stability of businesses.<\/p>\n
We are on the verge of a new development phase in the mining industry. This is not just a shift, but a historic opportunity that will define the country’s economy, national development, and social stability. Even though many issues have been resolved up to this point, the decisions have not been made, and the accumulated problems continue to hinder the future opportunities of our sector. Therefore, we in the industry are awaiting bold, intelligent, and collaborative historical decisions from policymakers.<\/p>\n
Over the past 35 years, behind the major projects implemented in Mongolia, there has only been private enterprise and foreign investment. Unfortunately, we have missed many opportunities. The government has remained stuck on feasibility studies, and today we are still facing projects that are stuck on 3D models. While no real programs have been implemented, we have scared away investors and closed off our chances for development. As a result of empty promises disguised as support, populist tendencies, and political instability, the competitiveness of the sector continues to be increasingly limited.<\/p>\n
Although the solution is clearly defined, it often gets stuck at the implementation stage, causing significant harm to the country’s development. There are many examples of this, such as the Salkhit money deposit, the Khutul cement-lime plant, the Darkhan metallurgical plant, the Erdenet mine, and the Togrug lake deposit issues, where short-sighted policies, plundering, and bullying behavior have prevailed, showing disregard for the interests of the private sector. Most of the state-owned companies that should be creating wealth and generating the budget are operating at a loss, while merely five large companies are undeniably sustaining the economy.<\/p>\n
Even though we want to continue our operations normally, the tax authority is disrupting many companies’ business activities by imposing high fines, penalties, and freezing their accounts. Tax disputes are prolonged in court for a long time, and as this continues, the cost of doing business increases every minute. Moreover, the principle of tax fairness is ignored in tax assessments, and one example of stifling free competition is the Mineral Resource Rent Tax (MRRT). The current regulations for the MRRT impose payments based on unearned income and unguaranteed amounts for coal and copper exporting companies, shifting the economic risks solely onto these companies. It is time to correct such tax distortions and create opportunities for the private sector to expand their operations.<\/p>\n
Today, the youth want to work in their own country with the professions they have acquired, rather than seek handouts. This is not only an individual desire but a guarantee for the future of Mongolia for the next 30 years. We must not forget that ‘people’ are the most valued capital. However, due to weak policies aimed at education and human development, the income generated from resources has not been effectively directed towards ‘people’, leading to a brain drain where skilled professionals cannot find recognition in their own country. We should consider whether we have even managed to improve our health, education, and infrastructure sectors, let alone implement major projects with the money earned from mining.<\/p>\n
Thanks to democracy, Mongolia has connected to the international market, but the government continues to distort free competition by asserting ownership in mining projects and imposing strict controls. If the knowledge and skills of youth who have studied abroad were effectively utilized like in developed countries, and if new technologies and know-how were introduced, we would have a greater opportunity to advance more quickly. However, on the contrary, reliance on PR, advertisement, and hollow slogans has stifled real, creative work and new initiatives. Mongolia has not fully exploited its opportunities and is unable to free itself from a political culture of ‘bag carriers’.<\/p>\n
Moving forward, we should not repeatedly dwell on the past and repeat our mistakes, but rather acknowledge them and focus on working towards the future. This approach is demanded by the current times. It is a time when we need to create realities instead of talking empty words. What we need most immediately are stable policies, clear rules of the game, and fair competition. We must free ourselves from the old patterns that hinder development and the influence of populist politics, and we require new policies based on real results and proper management. While there is a general consensus that the benefits from mineral resources should be distributed fairly and equitably, actual expenditures and investments are misdirected, leading to regressive decisions based on past events rather than results.<\/p>\n
It is crucial for decision-makers to be actively involved in the effective management of new projects and programs, efficient allocation of budget funds, and ensuring political and policy stability. Therefore, we urge new and young members of Parliament and decision-makers to create a new political culture that views the mineral resources sector not through the lens of short-term political interests, but through long-term development policies. Times are changing. The approach to decision-making must also change.<\/p>\n
As a member of the Parliament and a legislator, there is an open opportunity to familiarize oneself with the operations of a particular business organization and obtain relevant information. However, making announcements through social networks has led to a tendency to overlook the actual issues and poses a risk of confusing the public. The development of the private sector according to business principles is not only an issue for a few companies but is also a crucial matter related to the economy of Mongolia. The Mongolian Mining Association (MMUAA) will work more actively to maintain a unified position and protect the common interests of industry companies. The mining sector is not just about extracting natural resources; it is a sector that advances the development of the country.<\/p>\n
Source: mining.mn\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 2025\/09\/11<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" -Conclusions and reviews of the presenter, Executive Director of MUUA, G. Erdenetuya- The MOUAA has launched a series of podcasts called ‘Mining Pulse’ in the context of the ‘Mining Week, Minepro’ international conference and exhibition, releasing a total of 16 episodes. Through this series, we aimed to discuss the pressing issues in the sector from […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[32],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/mcpg.mn\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9224"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/mcpg.mn\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/mcpg.mn\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mcpg.mn\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mcpg.mn\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=9224"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/mcpg.mn\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9224\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":9225,"href":"https:\/\/mcpg.mn\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9224\/revisions\/9225"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/mcpg.mn\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=9224"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mcpg.mn\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=9224"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mcpg.mn\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=9224"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}