Ulaanbaatar
Coal export halted until March 2
Economy
Ulaanbaatar /MONTSAME/ Yesterday, on February 10, the Ministry of Health reported that two confirmed cases of coronavirus have been recorded in Khaliut border crossing of China, which is in distance of 120 km from Gashuunsukhait border checkpoint of Umnugobi aimag, Mongolia. Since confirmed cases of novel coronavirus recorded in the border crossing which is near to the main road of coal and copper export of Mongolia, Emergency Commission of Umnugobi aimag is working in emergency state.
As Mongolia is on high alert due to the outbreak of coronavirus, the State Emergency Commission yesterday discussed the issue of restricting transport of raw material export. And it was decided not to export coal until March 2 through four border checkpoints that border with China. The main streamline of coal export is made through Gashuunsukhait and Shiveekhuren border checkpoints and 60-70 heavy trucks and vehicles are crossing out the border a day.
Coal export went down four times in the last one month and budget revenue decreased by MNT 157 billion. Additionally, restriction on coal export is calculated to decrease budget revenue by around MNT 300 billion.
The decision made by the State Emergency Commission will only belong to export of coal and export of other minerals such as copper, iron ore and spar will run normally.
