ARCHIVED: Mining boom in Mongolia
With huge amounts of unexploited natural resources (gold, copper, coal and more) the Mongolian economy is estimated to grow massively in the years to come. But will it also benefit the people in Mongolia? Our work shows how mining operations lead to pollution and displacement for local herders and exacerbate water scarcity issues.
Father and daughter, resettled by Oyu Tolgoi
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Background
With huge amounts of unexploited natural resources (gold, copper, coal and more) the Mongolian economy is estimated to grow massively in the years to come. But will it also benefit the people in Mongolia? Our work shows how mining operations lead to pollution and displacement for local herders and exacerbate water scarcity issues.
Dust, displacement and intimidation in the Gobi Altai mountains
Nomadic herders in the Gobi Altai mountains are facing pollution and displacement by the Tayan Nuur iron ore mine that receives financing from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development.
While the mining company Altain Khuder responds to criticism with intimidation, the EBRD is not doing enough to protect herders’ rights.
Read more:
When the dust settles
A multimedia story about herders impacted by the Tayan Nuur mine
Dust, displacement, intimidation – Mongolian herders are under pressure by iron ore mine
Blog post | December 9, 2014
Report: Impacts of the Tayan Nuur iron ore mine on nomadic herders’ lives in Mongolia
Study | December 9, 2014
Case study on the impacts of the global iron ore sector: Altain Khuder in Mongolia
SOMO case study | December 17, 2014
Water scarcity in the South Gobi desert
In the South Gobi desert, the highly intensive mining industry with its immense need for water can pose precarious risks to the livelihoods of herders.
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Spirited away – Mongolia’s mining boom and the people that development left behind (pdf)
Study | January 30, 2012
EBRD financing for mining in Mongolia
By financing several mining projects over the last few years, the EBRD followed other investors’ bias towards the natural resources sector in Mongolia. Instead, it should diversify its portfolio in the country to help Mongolia reduce its dependency on commodity exports.
Read more:
The EBRD in Mongolia: Economic diversity is something else
Blog post | September 18, 2012
Online debate
Following a discussion in the European Parliament on the EBRD’s mining operations, Bankwatch organised a live-streamed google hangout with Mongolian campaigner Sukhgerel Dugersuren.
Latest news
‘Comments noted’, business as usual continues. The marginal public influence on the EBRD’s new mining policy
Blog entry | 2 November, 2012After long delays and more than 3 years of preparation the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development has finally completed and published a policy for its operations in the mining sector. Both the consultation process and the final outcome must leave “the consulted stakeholders” disappointed.
Read moreWorld Bank and Others Poised to Invest in Rio Tinto’s Flawed Mongolian Mining Project
Press release | 24 September, 2012Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia — The World Bank Board of Directors has announced plans to consider a copper and gold mining project in the Mongolian South Gobi desert even though the Bank itself acknowledges that there is not enough water in the region to support the life of the Project. Despite ongoing community opposition to Rio Tinto’s Oyu Tolgoi mine and its associated facilities (“OT Project”), the World Bank is considering a financing package of US$900 million in loans and up to US$1 billion in political risk insurance for the OT Project in early November.
Read moreThe EBRD in Mongolia: Economic diversity is something else
Blog entry | 18 September, 2012Investment data for Mongolia illustrates that without improving the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development’s plans for the mining sector, the bank may add to the dependence on raw materials exports in resource rich countries.
Read moreRelated publications
The development of Mongolia’s energy sector: Going beyond coal
Briefing | 5 May, 2017 | Download PDFMongolia’s fragile economic situation, with its high deficit and increasing foreign debt, is putting the country on a risk map for foreign investment. Even so, the government and international financial institutions show no sign of adjusting their plan
Asian Development Bank projects in Mongolia
Briefing | 5 May, 2017 | Download PDFWith a dominance of coal in its energy sector, the Mongolian government is planning more than six new coal power plants over the next decade, despite already severe air pollution and public protests against the government’s inaction. The Asian Developm
Mongolia’s energy sector: time for a rethink
Study | 3 May, 2017 | Download PDFThis report is meant as a background document for civil society in Mongolia and international groups to advocate for increased transparency and participation in priority energy projects; improved forecasts of power demand and alternatives for the sus
