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  • ‘The End Rushing into the Beginning’ | The UB Post
    http://ubpost.mongolnews.mn/?p=19502

    The End Rushing into the Beginning” is a powerful exhibition by O.Enkhtaivan, discussing Mongolia’s relationship with the West and with its own heritage. On view at 976 Gallery until early May, the fascinating use of multimedia and engaging concept of doubles make this exhibition well worth a visit.

    Looking back on Mongolian history, O.Enkhtaivan’s first inspiration was the idea of a person’s next life after death and the nothingness in between. This connects well with the second theme, which explores the balance of new Western influences and Mongolia’s roots.

    The artist communicates this through his use of wool and coffee: the wool, representative of the cashmere industry and nomadic lifestyle, is contrasted with coffee beans, which symbolise Western countries. Although wool has a strong smell, coffee smells stronger. However, some pieces in the exhibition also suggest that Mongolia is pushing back against this takeover. For instance, one piece features a sheet of metal pressing down on wool, but spikes of wool break through the surface of the metal.

    The imperfect pairs, doubles, and reflections encourage close inspection of every piece, while the multimedia elements of the exhibition engage all the senses. The texture of the wool provides a sharp contrast to heavy, industrial nails and smooth, dark coffee beans, all of which are intensified as the installation in the gallery forces visitors to get very close to the pieces.

    O.Enkhtaivan, a professor at the State University of Arts and Culture, has held exhibitions all over the world, from the United States to Japan, China, and Singapore, and more recently he has shown his work at Q Gallery. He has had previous exhibitions at 976 Gallery. However, the artist considers this exhibition to be more experimental than previous endeavors.

  • Towering Multiplicity: A closer look At Ulaanbaatar’s counterpoint architecture | The UB Post
    http://ubpost.mongolnews.mn/?p=19513

    One of Ulaanbaatar’s most recent projects, the United Family Intermed Hospital, opened its doors in September 2014. Sustainability-driven French firm Archetype Group (also responsible for an array of upcoming projects such as UB’s Porsche Center and the Nuudelchin Tower) administrated this glass-like, cubic building in the Khan-Uul District to facilitate “the first hospital built in Mongolia according to European standards.” The 90-bed health center boasted a 100 million MNT investment, with 200 subcontractors managing over 4,000 technicians and engineers. Less than 20 meters away, just over the road, the structure overlooks a collection of dilapidated Soviet buildings. If ever a contrast produced such immense entanglement between the historical revolutions of architecture, and in such close proximity, UB certainly holds standout examples. In similar ways all across the city, the everyday and the utopian oscillate in idiosyncratic arrangement.

    Yet, Ulaanbaatar’s Soviet influence not only marked the most consistent period of its structural production, but also the efficacy of Mongolia’s twentieth century successes. Such successes were invariably tied to the ascendancy of the Soviet regime. UB’s Tengis Cinema and the Central Museum of Mongolian Dinosaurs were formerly heralded as the Yalalt Cinema and the Lenin Museum. Constructivism and rationalism swept through the nation, creating new measures of habitation that were strikingly different from traditional Mongolian housing.

    Projects like Intermed Hospital are just another example of the blueprints of gentrification that sweep through many architectural trends, and although the fruits are progressive aesthetics, the question of how they relate to the domestic topography of Ulaanbaatar is crucial. With almost 70 percent of UB’s residents occupying the ger district that encircles much of the city, the framework for modal design might only be celebrated when abject poverty is acted upon first. The ger district certainly contributes to the realism of UB’s architecture; despite rural-to-urban migration being one of the most complex domestic challenges facing Mongolian ministers.

  • Mongolia officially pays off its 3.8 million USD debt to Russia | The UB Post
    http://ubpost.mongolnews.mn/?p=18637

    Prime Minister Ch.Saikhanbileg received Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation to Mongolia Iskander Kubarovich Azizov on Monday to present confirmation of the payment of 3,832,515 USD in Mongolian debt owed to Russia.
    During the meeting Ch.Saikhanbileg noted, “We promised to pay off the remainder of the great debt to Russia in February. In this regard, I am handing over a receipt for a transaction of 3,832,515 USD from Mongol Bank to the Russian Finance Ministry.” Emphasizing that this day marked a historic event in relations between the two countries, he noted that new economic opportunities are being opened for the future by paying off the remainder of Mongolia’s financial obligations. At the end of their meeting, the Prime Minister conveyed his gratitude to the authorities who were involved in forgiving Mongolia’s debt, on behalf of Mongolia’s leaders.
    During the meeting Ambassador Azizov stressed, “All the financial obligations of Mongolia to the former Soviet Union, the current Russian Federation, have now ended. New opportunities are now open to develop bilateral financial and economic relations,” highlighting that he believes a new door has opened for Mongolia to enter the international financial market.

    • Si la Mongolie solde sa dette héritée de l’Union soviétique, il faut attendre le commentaire de l’article pour apprendre que la Russie a consenti un abandon de créance de 97% du montant de celle-ci…

      This is a debt settlement from a much higher amount (174.2 million). Why is Russia accepting such a small amount for this debt? So Mongolia can BORROW more to pay for the ridiculously high oil prices Russia demands of Mongolia.

      … qui renvoie à ce lien pour les détails.

      Why Did Russia Just Write Off 97% of Mongolian Debt ? | The Diplomat
      http://thediplomat.com/2016/02/why-did-russia-just-write-off-97-of-mongolian-debt

      According to Russia’s state-run Tass news agency, Mongolia’s unsettled debt with Russia came to a total of $174.2 million. The Russian law forgives 97 percent of Mongolia’s outstanding debt to Russia. “It should be noted that the sum involves the debt denominated in the non-existing currency. Actually, the debtor always has a possibility to formulate the issue like this: no currency, no obligations. In this case, we agreed on recalculating the amount into the really existing monetary unit,” remarked Russia’s deputy finance minister, Sergei Storchak, referring to the difficulties of negotiating a debt agreement after the collapse of the Soviet Union and the conversion of the rouble in 2006.
      […]
      The debt write-off does open interesting opportunities for Moscow as well. Mongolia is a major importer of refined petroleum, which comprises 22 percent of its overall imports as of 2013. 76 percent of Mongolia’s imported petroleum comes from Russia. Additionally, Mongolia runs a negative trade balance with Russia, exporting just $56.2 million in goods in 2013 while importing $1.54 billion. For Russian state and private firms, Mongolia will continue to be seen as an opportunity.

  • Mongolian riders break the Guinness World Record for largest camel race | The UB Post
    http://ubpost.mongolnews.mn/?p=18749

    A total of 1,108 camels participated in a race in Dalanzadgad soum, Umnugovi Province on March 7, part of the Mongol Temee – 999 event organized by the Administrative Office of the Governor of Umnogovi and the Dalanzadgad City Council, breaking the Guinness World Record for the largest camel race ever held.
    The race was approximately 15 kilometers long and was completed within 68 minutes. Race coordinators monitored the five starting points of the race, which began with 1,115 camels. Only 1,108 made it to the finish line.

  • #Altargana 2016 to take place in Ulan-Ude | The UB Post
    http://ubpost.mongolnews.mn/?p=18403

    The 22nd Altargana Festival of Buryat is to be celebrated from July 1 to 3 in Ulan-Ude of Buryatia. The festival aims to restore and protect the tradition, culture and sports of Buryat. The government of Mongolia established the festival’s organizing committee. The Minister of Culture of Buryatia Timur Tsibikov was appointed as head of the festival’s organizing committee.
    Folk and modern song competition named One Day of Buryats will be held as part of the festival. An exhibition of handicrafts and Daginas beauty contest will be organized during the festival.
    Altargana is an international celebration of Buryat tribes, which showcases the traditions of Buryats from Irkutsk and Ulan-Ude, Kalmyk Mongols from north of the Caspian Sea in Russia, Tuvans, Inner Mongolians and Mongolians from around the world. It features folk songs, dances, Buryat wrestling and archery competitions.
    The first Altargana Festival was held in 1994 in Khentii Province to promote folk arts and culture of the Buryat people living in Mongolia, Russia and China.

    #Bouriatie

  • Lancement d’osselet, activité traditionnelle mongole
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KLBXeYg7TsE

    UNESCO: Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity - 2014
    URL: http://www.unesco.org/culture/ich/RL/00959
    Description: Knuckle-bone shooting is a popular team-based game played in Mongolia. Teams of six to eight players flick thirty domino-like marble tablets on a smooth wooden surface towards a target of sheep knuckle-bones, aiming to knock them into a target zone. Each shooter possesses individually crafted shooting tools and instruments, and wears costumes embossed with distinguished characteristics depending on their rank and merits. The tradition encourages interaction between team members from different backgrounds and respect towards elders and one another, while improving their social cohesion.

    À l’occasion du championnat du lancer sur glace…

    New champions emerge at National Ice Knucklebone Shooting Championship | The UB Post
    http://ubpost.mongolnews.mn/?p=17993


    (photo en version lourde, en enlevant les dimensions à la fin)

    The Mongolian National Ice Anklebone Shooting Association organized the annual National Ice Knucklebone Shooting Championship in Arkhangai Province.
    Three new champions emerged during the 16th edition of the championship.
    Shooters of Erdenebulgan soum of Arkhangai Province D.Altankhuyag and B.Tserenlonjid won first and second places in the steppe-shooting category and won State Sharpshooter titles.
    In the individual category, M.Dashkhundev of Tsenkher soum of Arkhangai Province won first place and received the State Sharpshooter title.
    In the ice knucklebone shooting game, all players were divided into teams. By the traditional rule of the game, ice knucklebone shooting is played in two types of rules: individual shooting and steppe shooting.
    On the ice, each player shoots ankles bones of small or big cattle from 100 meters away. Contestants shoot nine targets or knucklebones, which represent specific scores, and the central target has the biggest score of five points. Other targets are given one to four points.

  • #Mongolie

    Is Mongolia really in danger of changing its national currency ? | The UB Post
    http://ubpost.mongolnews.mn/?p=17695

    While wandering through Facebook, I saw a post from Minister of Mongolia M.Enkhsaikhan which said, “If we deny foreign investments and if foreigners turn away from us, the Mongolian tugrug will be replaced by Chinese yuan.
    In late December, international media reported that yuan was set to become Zimbabwe’s official currency after Chinese President Xi Jinping visited Zimbabwe to meet President Robert Mugabe. Zimbabwe has already made #yuan legal tender, but the announcement was made after Beijing officials said that Zimbabwe’s 40 million USD in debts to China would be cancelled.
    This was huge news for the world, but some Mongolians consider this news a message of warning for Mongolia.

    Nous, Mongols, ne suivons pas les traces du Zimbabwe (ou pire, cf. suivant…)

  • Public disapproves of new ‘Children’s Money’ distribution | The UB Post
    http://ubpost.mongolnews.mn/?p=17681

    The government passed Resolution No. 490 last year, on December 14, specifying that the monthly cash allowance of 20,000 MNT to children below the age of 17 will be distributed to families based on their standards of living. The government explained that it aims to provide welfare services to targeted groups most in need of the allowance. However, some people speculate that this decision has resulted in discrimination based on a household’s lifestyle.
    The standard of living of households in Mongolia is divided into 20 specific levels. A specialist from the General Office of Social Welfare Services of Mongolia explained that these levels were determined based on a survey conducted in 2013 for defining the basic lifestyle of the population. People that fit in levels one to 17, specifically people with low to medium income, can receive welfare services, but those in the 18 to 20th levels are considered to have adequate income and no need to apply for welfare benefits.

    Refonte des allocations familiales d’après les résultats d’une enquête sur le style de vie des ménages mongols (14% des ménages en non répondants). La modification fait passer le nombre d’enfants bénéficiaires de l’allocation de 1,3 million à 630 000/

  • Que fait l’armée mongole ? Elle va construire une voie ferrée (à l’écartement standard et non à voie large (russe) comme dans le reste du pays) pour relier la mine de charbon de Tavan Tolgoi (propriété de la compagnie minière publique) à la frontière chinoise.

    10,000 soldiers to be trained to build railroads | The UB Post
    http://ubpost.mongolnews.mn/?p=17380

    The Speaker of Parliament, Z.Enkhbold, and Member of Parliament Kh.Battulga proposed training 10,000 soldiers for the construction of railroads for the Tavan Tolgoi-Gashuun Sukhait and Sainshand-Bichigt Khuut routes.
    The state has allocated 24 billion MNT for the project in next year’s state budget. The project’s initiators are planning to enlist 10,000 soldiers for a special railway military unit, train them at a vocational training center, and hire them for railway construction.
    Initially, the Mongolian Railway Company needs 3,300 workers for the projects, including 700 highly trained experts. The authorities are planning to train around 2,600 soldiers at vocational training centers in the first stage of the project. Minister of Labor G.Bayarsaikhan encouraged the public to look at this project as education for young people and the provision of jobs rather than exploitation of labor, as the soldiers will receive wages.
    The soldiers will be prepared in five professions, including heavy machinery operator, concrete mixer, and excavator operator.
    “If the Japanese government settles the investment agreement concerning the railroad construction for the Sainshand route, training for soldiers will start on January 1,” said Minister G.Bayarsaikhan.
    He added that the soldiers will train for four months and start working in spring.
    Experts say railroads must be built by professionals after meticulous calculations and studies by engineers, not by young soldiers. The project’s initiators believe that when the soldiers finish their services, they will have paid social insurance and accumulated a decent amount of savings from their salaries.

  • Accord trouvé à #Oyu_Tolgoi
    (avec une jolie coquille… singing)
    Cabinet members receive Oyu Tolgoi investors | The UB Post
    http://ubpost.mongolnews.mn/?p=17509

    Following the singing of the financial agreement for expanding Oyu Tolgoi’s (OT) underground mine, members of Cabinet and other officials received OT investors on December 16.
    Beginning the meeting, Prime Minister Ch.Saikhanbileg thanked the investors for believing in Mongolia’s economy and investing in Oyu Tolgoi during difficult times for the global economy. The sides exchanged views on the next measures to be taken, and agreed that all plans need to start and underground development should commence in the near future, as financing has now been resolved.
    […]
    The Office of Media and Public Relations of the Government reported that the sides plan to commence underground mine development work by the first quarter of 2016, and investors have said that they are ready for making investments.

  • Pianist T.Purevsukh speaks about Arga Bileg’s Grammy nominated ‘Agula’ album and his career | The UB Post
    http://ubpost.mongolnews.mn/?p=17513

    Mongolian ethno-jazz band Arga Bileg was selected for a Swiss-Mongolian joint music production dedicated to the 50th anniversary of Mongolia-Swiss diplomatic relations. Arga Bileg’s “Agula” album, released earlier this year, has been nominated for the 2016 Grammy Awards.

    Arga bileg, Setgemj
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y20GRNq4WnU

  • Abdul Karim cancels the purchase of Ulaanbaatar Times printing factory
    http://ubpost.mongolnews.mn/?p=17332

    Un investisseur qatari avait gagné la vente aux enchères de l’imprimerie de presse possédée par l’état. « Suite aux commentaires [ultranationalistes, j’imagine] sur les réseaux sociaux », il se désiste, perdant ainsi sa consignation initiale et laissant la place à un gros groupe privé local.

    #mongolian_business ...

    Last weekend, Abdul Karim sent an official letter to the State Privatization Commission, requesting to cancel his purchase of the Ulaanbaatar Times printing factory.
    The printing factory, which covers an area of 2,698 square meters, was auctioned on November 30, and Abdul Karim won with the highest bid of 24 billion MNT. Abdul Karim is a Qatar-born Mongolian citizen, but many people questioned his legal rights to purchase the state-owned property on social media. The public became curious about the identity of the winning bidder, and media outlets shared interviews about Karim with people who claimed to have information about him.
    Abdul Karim explained in his application for cancellation that various comments on social media caused him to reconsider the purchase of the Ulaanbaatar Times printing factory.
    “I’m deeply upset that media outlets and social media have been spreading unpleasant and false information about me and my family. After consulting with my wife and son, I’ve decided to cancel my decision,” he stated.
    Mayor of Ulaanbaatar E.Bat-Uul sent a letter to Abdul Karim in regards to his decision. “I don’t know what exactly caused you to change your mind, but if various rumors and comments on social media made you change your decision, I’d like to express my deepest regrets,” he wrote in the letter.
    Mayor E.Bat-Uul stated that Mongolia was democratic and that the people of Mongolia have the right to freedom of speech and to freely express opinions on social media. Even so, he pointed out at the end of the letter that Abdul Karim can take legal action if he has felt threatened or received harassment in any way.
    Many people questioned the whereabouts of Abdul Karim’s large sum of money to complete the purchase. Head of the Ulaanbaatar City Property Relations Agency Sh.Tumurbaatar said that Karim was going to receive support from internationally recognized funding sources. Sh.Tumurbaatar said it was unlikely that Karim would use illegal funds for a purchase made through an open auction.
    Abdul Karim paid a 710 million MNT deposit in advance before participating in the auction. This amount will not be returned pursuant to auction rules, as he has cancelled his purchase. Abdul Karim’s 710 million MNT will be transferred to a state account.
    The next highest bidder in the auction, Director of Tavan Bogd Group Ts.Baatarsaikhan, will now be able to purchase the printing factory. Director Ts.Baatarsaikhan offered 23.85 billion MNT at the auction. In the case that he refuses the offer, another auction will be held for the Ulaanbaatar Times printing factory within 14 days.

  • Ulaanbaatar’s air pollution breaks China’s records | The UB Post
    http://ubpost.mongolnews.mn/?p=17307

    On December 5, the recorded level of particulate matter in Ulaanbaatar’s air was 25 times higher than the suggested guidelines of the World Health Organization (WHO), breaking Beijing’s record for dangerously high levels of air pollution.
    The whole world buzzed about the #airpocalypse in Beijing and New Delhi in November, when the levels of particulate matter in the air reached 21 to 24 times the permissible threshold of the WHO. The hazardous levels were recorded near the Mongolian National Broadcaster (MNB) building on December 5, according to the air quality index (AQI) reported by agaar.mn.

    Agaar.mn defines an AQI of 50 to be “normal” and an AQI above 500 to be “hazardous to health”. The area around the MNB reached an AQI of 2,685 at around 9:10 p.m. At the same time, PM2.5 levels reached 622 micrograms per cubic meters. PM 2.5 is fine particulate matter in the air measuring up to 2.5 micrometers in size, and is linked to lung cancer and heart disease.

    The record breaking pollution data generated comments from environmental advocates on social media, advising people in the area around MNB to “not breathe if possible”.

  • Editor-in-Chief of Mongolian Mining Journal found dead | The UB Post
    http://ubpost.mongolnews.mn/?p=17013

    Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Mongolian Mining Journal Bolormaa Luntan was found dead in her apartment on November 21. Her passing is a great loss for Mongolian journalism.
    The reasons for her death remain unknown. “We don’t know if her death was linked to outside factors. It’s early to start talking about the causes. The forensic results will be available in two weeks,” said B.Baatarkhuu, the press agent for the Police Department.
    Bolormaa wrote mainly about economics, politics, business, and mining. She was named Mongolia’s Journalist of the Year in 2003.
    After graduating from the National University of Mongolia in journalism, she advanced her career at the International Institute for Journalism in Germany and the World Press Institute in the U.S. with a focus on economic and business reporting. She later gained more experience at The Washington Post and Grand Forks Herald.
    L.Bolormaa started her career in 1998 at Unuudur, as head of the economy and business section. She was then promoted to deputy director to the editor-in-chief of Unuudur from 2001 to 2008. She was a pioneer in bringing Western-style journalism to Mongolia.
    She published “Daashinztai Survaljlaguud” (Dressed Reports) in 2007, a guidebook for journalism students, teachers, reporters, and editors. The book recounted her journey, from her early days as a reporter, interviews with former United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan, and her reports from Afghanistan. In 2013, Bolormaa published her second book, “Zavgui” (Busy), about modern journalism management.
    Bolormaa founded the Mongolian Mining Journal (MMJ) in 2008. The MMJ is published in English and Mongolian and is an independent news outlet that was named the Best Journal in Mongolia in 2008, 2012, and 2013. She used MMJ as a model to sculpt professional journalism in Mongolia.
    She also founded the NGO Khugjliin Tuluu Setguulzui (Journalism for Development), aimed at training young journalists in economic and mining reporting. She established Khugjil TV studio in 2011 and broadcast a program frequently aired on Eagle, Channel 25, and C1 TV.
    She spoke about issues which sparked debate and action, and she was a great champion and role model for independent journalism. Rest in peace, Bolormaa Luntan.

  • Mongolia: Clean Air Fund to shut down | The UB Post
    http://ubpost.mongolnews.mn/?p=16979

    The Clean Air Fund will be shut down to reduce government spending.
    The government has not allocated funds for combating air pollution in the 2016 state budget, according to N.Bataa, the vice director in charge of economic and financial issues at the Ulaanbaatar Mayor’s Office.

    The Clean Air Fund was the initiator of the Clean Stove Project. Approximately 87 percent of the air pollution in Ulaanbaatar is caused by coal burning stoves in ger districts.
    The government doesn’t understand the impact of the liquidation of the Clean Air Fund,” said an air quality researchers, against the government’s decision.

    According to a 2014 study by the Clean Air Fund, Mongolia loses approximately 38,000 disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) annually due to air pollution. DALY is used to calculate the capital that a nation loses due to wealth creators becoming incapable of work. By 2024, the nation’s annual lost DALYs will rise to 54,500.
    Currently, the Mongolian air quality index is already seven to eight times higher than the World Health Organization standard.

    #Mongolie #Pollution

  • The outdoor toilet and Mongolia’s future | The UB Post
    http://ubpost.mongolnews.mn/?p=16677

    One half of the three-million-strong population of Mongolia resides in Ulaanbaatar, whereas five percent live in Darkhan-Uul Province and three percent in Orkhon Province. More than half of those people live in ger districts. One third of the remaining population of 1.2 million resides in other province and soum centers, while approximately 750,000 people live in the countryside herding livestock and changing locations to seek better pastureland.

    Depending on their location of residence, 45 percent of our total population uses pit latrines by digging a hole in the ground and building a small shelter, either made of wood or covered by other found materials. Only around 65 percent of the population consumes water and food that has been sanitized.

    A United Nations report suggests that the thousands of new apartment blocks built in Mongolia’s urban areas in the first 15 years of this millennia have caused only a three percent drop in the number of people who use pit latrines. I previously mentioned in my article “Potemkin Villages” that Mongolia is behind North Korea on access to improved sanitation facilities (flush toilets).

  • Mongolia : Pasture issues emerge as winter approaches | The UB Post
    http://ubpost.mongolnews.mn/?p=16222

    While parliamentarians are busy fighting for their seats and positions, there are other important things to do for those in the livestock industry.
    Two problems arise as winter approaches. Due to this year’s drought, livestock hasn’t gained enough sustenance to overcome the winter. Secondly, the capacity of pastures has decreased and it can’t sustain 70 million livestock.
    Therefore, Mongolia needs to prepare extra fodder and supplements for livestock and manage the land that can sustain life, and decrease the amount of livestock by a certain level while holding meat prices at a level where it’s not too low for herders.
    Last summer, approximately 60 percent of all pasture had dried, 10 percent was suffering from severe drought, while the rest seemed plausible.
    Generally throughout Mongolia, rain has come later than expected, leaving little grass to fatten up herds for the long winter. There are two major livestock fattening, meat fattening and last fattening. From the levels of fattening, one can determine whether majority of the livestock can survive the winter healthily. When combined, these two assure full preparation for winter. But when not combined, one without the other makes the fattening weak and temporary.
    The late sprouts left the livestock vulnerable to even the first few snowfalls.

    1. du fait de la sécheresse cet été, les troupeaux sont affaiblis pour affronter l’hiver qui approche
    2. le seuil de surpâturage serait atteint de largement dépassé
    Avenir sombre pour les éleveurs.

  • Ethiopia studies Mongolia’s artisanal mining | The UB Post
    http://ubpost.mongolnews.mn/?p=16066#comment-50024

    Representatives led by the Minister of Mining of Ethiopia, Tewodros Gebregzabher, are paying a seven-day visit to Mongolia to become acquainted with the nation’s artisanal mining industry and policies.
    On Tuesday, the Ethiopian delegation was received by the Ministry of Mining of Mongolia and introduced to the conventional and artisanal mining sector’s current conditions, as well as its legal environment and achievements.
    During their visit, the delegation will meet representatives from governmental and non-governmental mining organizations to exchange experience on legalizing and formalizing micro-mining, defining its economic contributions, as well as on land reclamation, and the working conditions of micro-miners.
    The Ethiopian team is also studying health and social insurance accessibility for micro-miners in Mongolia. They will meet micro-miners in Bayankhongor Province’s Bayan-Ovoo soum and visit the Monpolymet Group, which is engaged in gold mining land reclamation in Zaamar soum, Tuv Province. The delegation will also become acquainted with the progress of a sustainable micro-mining project which is being implemented in Mongolia with the aid from the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation.

    Mongol News spoke with the Chairman of the Policy Coordination Department of the Ministry of Mining, B.Batkhuu, regarding Mongolia and Ethiopia’s micro-mining conditions.

    Major representatives of the Mongolian micro-mining sectors are small gold mining companies and individuals. A law on micro-mining was also approved to support them, but gold delivery to Mongol Bank is not increasing. Can you explain why?
    It is directly related to poor government policy. Gold reserves at Mongol Bank have drastically decreased, because of the 68 percent tax that was being imposed. At the beginning of 2000, gold delivered to Mongol Bank reached 20 tons, and it dropped to two tons as a result of this tax.
    Some companies were also illegally exporting gold to foreign countries. It was a good decision to cancel the tax in order to keep gold in the country. Now gold reserves are gradually increasing.

    En commentaire Satoshi Murao, cette mention de la mise en place de mesures anti-#ninjas dont je n’ai pas trace pour le moment.

    Mongolia is spearheading countermeasures on the artisanal/small-scale gold mining (ASGM) and the experiences should be shared with the world like this news.

  • Mongolie : fin de la « Grande coalition », éjection des 6 ministres (sur 15 plus le Premier ministre) de l’un des 5 parties de la coalition sur fonds de magouilles politiciennes et en vue des élections parlementaires de juin 2016

    Mongolia’s political growing pains continue ahead of 2016 poll | Business New Europe
    http://www.bne.eu/content/story/mongolias-political-growing-pains-continue-ahead-2016-poll

    Mongolia appears unable to establish political stability long enough to agree the development of multi-billion-dollar projects with foreign investors that could open the door to another mining boom for this country rich in copper and coal. The latest setback came on August 5, when Prime Minister Chimed Saikhanbileg’s Democratic Party removed a party from the grand coalition government that some felt was the source of conflict, but political infighting within the Democratic Party’s own ranks remains.

    A bill passed by the parliament will see Saikhanbileg retain his post under the reformed government, but, for now, remaining members of his cabinet will take on the duties of the six ousted Mongolian People’s Party (MPP) ministers. The reshuffle will inevitably result in some loss of voting power for the Saikhanbileg government. The grand coalition now includes 47 out of the 76 lawmakers in the parliament, including 35 members from his Democratic Party.

    A split with the MPP from what was a five-party grand coalition had been expected in the lead-up to the parliamentary election scheduled for July 2016, but came sooner than expected. Parliament still has not decided on crucial mining projects that Saikhanbileg was counting on to give the economy a boost before the election. “Whatever little political and national consensus there was on major projects... we argue that there will be even less with MPP becoming the opposition,” Dale Choi wrote in a note to subscribers for his research company Mongolian Metals & Mining.

    Choi worries the government break-up could hurt Mongolia’s investment position by signaling to investors a return to instability. Mongolia’s president, Tsakhia Elbegdorj, has a similar opinion, writing in a letter to the government that the change up could result in a “negative impact on society, economy, and the country’s reputation in the international arena.

    Investors began to lose interest in Mongolia after numerous disputes over mining projects made the authorities appear too difficult to cooperate with. Consistent declines in foreign investment from 2012 to 2014 were followed by slowing growth from 12.3% to 7.8%, respectively.

    The MPP, which will be the Democrats’ main rival in the election next year, joined the government after Saikhanbileg took over from ousted prime minister Norov Altankhuyag late last year. However, the Democrats in recent months had begun calling for the removal of the MPP, arguing they were undermining the government and acting as a roadblock to passing legislation. 

    Getting deals such as an investment agreement worth $4bn for the Tavan Tolgoi coal mine – the country’s largest, which is owned by the government – will be harder in the lead-up to the July 2016 election. Mining deals with investors are often unpopular with voters, who see mineral deposits as a form of public wealth to be shared among citizens. In the last election in 2012, many politicians campaigned on resource nationalism platforms. Saikhanbileg hoped that the grand coalition government would hold every party equally accountable for mining deals and ease worries of attacks once the campaign season kicked off.

    Avec le poids prépondérant des enjeux miniers et de leur traitement par le gouvernement dans un sens que désapprouvent massivement les électeurs mongols (often unpopular with voters…)
    #extractivisme

    • Cerise sur le gâteau, retour d’exil de l’ancien président (du MPRP, ex-communiste) N. Enkhbayar condamné pour corruption et abus de biens publics.

      Il a été mnistié en août 2013 par l’actuel président. L’amnistie a été confirmée vite fait sur le gaz avant-hier par le parlement pour lui permettre de revenir exercé un rôle de conseiller du gouvernement.

      Pour le bien de la Mongolie, of course

      Former President N.Enkhbayar offers his assistance to the current government | The UB Post
      http://ubpost.mongolnews.mn/?p=15759

      I don’t need a position. Now I am just thinking that the Cabinet is in such an unsustainable position. I want to give advice, and share my experience and support. Mongolia has the full potential to develop. I want to help in developing Mongolia. I am willing to provide assistance on the areas where I can help."
      […]
      Later, in the beginning of August 2013, President of Mongolia Ts.Elbegdorj released a decree to pardon N.Enkhbayar, who was serving his sentence in Prison 401.
      Parliament adopted a new Law on Pardon during its session meeting on August 11, 2015, after conducting a final closed discussion without the attendance of the press. The former president’s pardon may remain valid with approval of the law. However, a working group headed by the Chairman of the Legal Standing Committee will conduct a special investigation on pardoning high-ranking state officials involved in criminal cases.

    • Loi d’amnistie débattue et votée à huis clos.

      Parliament of Mongolia adopts Law on Amnesty behind the closed doors (12/08/15)
      http://www.infomongolia.com/ct/ci/9576/59/Parliament%20of%20Mongolia%20adopts%20Law%20on%20Amnesty%20behind%20th

      On August 11, 2015, the Legal Standing Committee of the (Parliament of Mongolia) discussed the final reading of the draft Law on Pardon behind the closed doors.

      At the afternoon plenary session, the final reading of the draft, which is effective from the date of adoption, was also discussed and ratified behind the closed doors. Consequently, a parliament resolution to form a Commission on Pardons was agreed to consider at the standing committee’s meeting.

      Parliament members clarify the Law on Pardon (13/08/15)
      http://www.infomongolia.com/ct/ci/9580

      On August 12, 2015, members of the State Great Khural (Parliament) L. Bold, J. Batzandan and Ts. Oyungerel have attended a press conference and gave some clarifications regarding the adoption of the Law of Pardon.

      Members mentioned that the amnesty laws of Mongolia were ratified in 1991, 1996, 2000, 2006, 2009 and August 2015 respectively.

      According to the latest act, citizens of Mongolia committed a crime (misdemeanor/felony) for the first time, women with children under the age of 18, pregnant women, people with disabilities lost working capacity more than 70% as well as persons committed crimes when were underage will be exempted from the rest period of sentences or from additional terms.

  • 80 percent of crops dead, 150 billion MNT buried in the ground | The UB Post
    http://ubpost.mongolnews.mn/?p=15463

    Approximately 80 percent of Mongolia’s crops have died this summer due to extreme drought across the country, according to board member of the Mongolian Plantation Union B.Erdenebat.
    Though the situation has reached a critical level, the Ministry of Industry and Agriculture has yet to take action, let alone announce to the public what is happening.
    According to B.Erdenebat, who is more commonly known as a member of the famous Mongolian pop group Camerton, crop fields remain productive in only in the regions of the Khalkh River in Bulgan and Selenge provinces.
    […]
    Last year, Mongolia harvested more than it had in over 17 years, but the state only reserved 30,000 tons of grain, a one-month reserve. According to B.Erdenebat, the Plantation Union advised the ministry to buy reserves from private companies, and received no response.
    “Mongolia should at least have a year’s worth of reserve since it can’t manage four to five years like bigger countries. But the ministry didn’t listen. The people will feel what it’s like to live in a country with no reserve this fall,” he said.
    B.Erdenebat said that when given the official report on the dying crops, the ministry told him “not to be so downtrodden and think about good things.
    The Ministry of Agriculture refused to comment via phone on the issue.