Ulaanbaatar
Implementation of Regulation on Mineral Extraction by Micro-Mining Discussed
Economy
Ulaanbaatar, September 6, 2023 /MONTSAME/. Last year by its Decree No.296,
the Government of Mongolia newly approved the Regulation on Mineral Extraction
by Micro-Mining. This regulation pursues the two main objectives: increase
local employment and give artisanal miners areas damaged by mining activities
for use towards further reclamation.
A joint consultation of the
parties implementing the regulation on micro-mining was held yesterday in
Ulaanbaatar to discuss the extent of implementation of the regulation, the
problems faced by the parties implementing the regulation, and solutions
thereof within the year since the approval of the regulation.
The Ministry of Environment
and Tourism, Ecological Police Department, Khentiy, Selenge, Arkhangai, Uvurkhangai,
Bayankhongor, Gobi-Altai, Uvs, Dundgobi aimags’ environmental inspectors and
soum governors, where small scale mining is active, took part in the meeting, exchanged
opinions on the implementation of the regulation and got a common understanding.
The participants highlighted the effectiveness of supporting formal task units
and improving accountability in the fight against illegal activities. They considered impossible to implement in practice the stipulation in the
revised draft of the Law on Minerals to abolish micro-mining as a concept.
The consultation was initiated by the Mongolian Union of Micro Mining and organized in cooperation with the “Building Capacity to Counter Illegal Mining” Project of the Asia Foundation. The proposals from the consultation will be compiled and submitted to the stakeholders as recommendations.
