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Showing posts from December, 2010

Mongolia: Provisions on Ninja Mining

It was reported on December 10, 2010, that Mongolia’s Ministry of Mineral Resources and Energy has been instructed to implement the government’s order to regulate artisanal or “ninja” mining.

Mongolian boxer in England

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Derry Matthews-Choi Tseveenpurev II (second): Sky Sports in England televises a regular series called "Prizefighter," in which eight boxers in the same division compete in a one-night tournament with each bout scheduled for three rounds.

Syria gets 'yurt'-inspired luxury cabins

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Two luxury cabins modeled after Mongolian yurts are near completion at Madison County’s Rose River Farm off Old Blue Ridge Turnpike (Route 670) just east of Bohannon Road (Route 600) in the Syria community.

Sifting through the past

Sternberg Museum visitors expect to see dinosaurs.

'Hospitality' taken to new levels / Vet helps set up medical centers for Mongolians with hepatitis

Nobuyuki Nozawa has been fascinated by Mongolia since he was a child--particularly its people's nomadic lifestyles--but not even he could have foreseen he would end up helping combat viral hepatitis in Ulan Bator.

Mongolia, Australia top 2010's strongest currencies

The Australian dollar was the world's best performing currency in 2010 - after Mongolia's.

High Correction Metal Stocks at NYSE: IVN

Ivanhoe Mines Ltd. (USA) (NYSE:IVN) witnessed the correction of 4.08% to close at $23.75 with overall traded volume of 2.68 million shares in the last trading day.

Resource-rich Mongolia

Mongolia, the birthplace of Genghis Khan, has abundant mineral resources in its vast grasslands and deserts.

Add a Mongolian visit to gap years in China

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People planning a gap year in China could opt to add a memorable occasion to their itinerary in the form of a visit to Mongolia.

Hot Travel Destinations for 2011

Mongolia – This wide-open country north of China is known for its nomads and endless steppes; Mongolia is the second largest landlocked country in the world.

DP postpones its meeting

DP decided to appoint its heads of the standing committees at the beginning of January.

Hong Kong’s Mongolian IPO Outlook

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Hong Kong attracted its first Mongolian stock listing in 2010. Could a bigger, state-backed company be coming in the new year?

Police: Maplewood man missing

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Maplewood, MO (KSDK) -- A Maplewood man has been missing for nearly a week and now police are asking for help to locate him.

MNT82.5 billion for students’ fees in 2011

The Chief of the Welfare Department of the Labor and Welfare Service Board, D.Choijilsuren, has said the Human Development Fund has earmarked MNT82.5 billion for payment of students’ fees in 2011.

Public transportation to cost more

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Public transportation costs in Ulaanbaatar will go up from January 1, 2011 but users will not have to pay more as the 26 bus companies will continue to receive subsidies.

B.Ser-Od to train in Japan

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Noted athlete B.Ser-Od has ended 2010 with winning the Hoju Yomiuri marathon in Japan, finishing first in a field of 1,800 competitors from all over Asia and Africa. He earlier won the Brighton marathon in England.

U.S. Embassy helps disability activists’ visit to USA

The U.S. Embassy in Mongolia recently supported a group of 10 activists – seven of them physically disabled – belonging to the NGO Wind Bird - to make an intense two-week visit to the USA to:

Rare earths hold new promise for Mongolia

China controlling nearly 95% of rare earth minerals production globally and the possibility of demand exceeding supply in the short to medium term provides a strong incentive for Japanese, U.S. and European investment in Mongolian rare earth mining and the associated export infrastructure links, says a research note prepared by Eurasia Capital.

Ch. Khashchuluun: Economic revival after crisis needs large investment

Ch. Khashchuluun, Chairman of the National Development and Innovation Committee, has said the emphasis in their work plan for economic development in 2011 is on optimal use of financial resources by using local indices, the first time this will be done.

160 works on show at Innovation 2010

The annual Innovation 2010 exhibition opened at the hall of the Union of Mongolian Artists (UMA) on December 29 with 160 new paintings, sculptures, and installations on show until January 7.

MPs oppose expenditure on human resource development

The Standing Committee on Security and Foreign Policy approved on December 28 the terms of Mongolia borrowing USD12 million from the International Development Association (IDA) for the program “Development Policy Financing-2”. However, the members instructed the Government to spend less on trainings and seminars.

State prizes awarded

Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, /MONTSAME/ In accordance with a decree of the Mongolia's President Ts.Elbegdorj, some foremost media workers were awarded Wednesday with state prizes for their significant contributions to strengthening valuables of democratic society and developing free journalism.

Young scholars receive President's prize

Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, /MONTSAME/ The prize named after the President of Mongolia for young scholars was awarded Wednesday. The State Head has granted the prizes to three scholars from the Academy of Sciences of Mongolia (ASM).

Best children awarded

Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, /MONTSAME/ A ceremony took place Wednesday in the Government House to grant the prize named after the Prime Minister to the best children of the year 2010. These children have shown brilliant successes in arts, sports and in studying.

U.S Ambassador greets Mongolians

Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, /MONTSAME/ The Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the USA to Mongolia Mr. Jonathan Addleton has greeted the Mongolians on the New Year.

Battle of Indus

The toughness of the Mongol warrior often determined the outcome of a battle. In 1221, at the Battle of Indus, the Turkish Army of Jellalud-din took up an excellent defensive position beside the Indus, its flanks protected by the mountains and a bend in the river.

Copper hits record as markets rally in thin trade

The commodities rally going into the New Year showed no signs of slowing on Tuesday, with copper hitting its second record high in as many days and most markets rising in thin trading amid seasonal holidays.

Mongolia Opens Coal Tract to Investors

Mongolia has shifted its approach to developing a massive untapped coal deposit, offering foreign companies a greater chance to invest in the site after all but shutting them out.

Colorado State University Team Receives $1.5 Million NSF Grant to Study Climate Change Impacts on Mongolian Pastoralists

FORT COLLINS - A team of researchers from Colorado State University's Warner College of Natural Resources has been awarded a $1.5 million National Science Foundation grant to study the impact of climate change on rangeland-based ecosystems and livelihoods of pastoralists in Mongolia.

Manas Petroleum raises $1.12 million in equity funding

Manas Petroleum Corp., a Switzerland-based oil exploration company, has raised $1.12 million in a private offering of equity. Deal Value (US$ Million) 1.12

MPP MPs want more time to discuss law draft on pasture land

The MPP group in Parliament discussed on December 27 the law draft on pasture land submitted by some MPs and decided there was need for more discussion.

MPP group wants M.Altankhuyag as head of Constitutional Court

Members of the MPP group in Parliament have approved the nomination of M.Altankuyag, a former Chairman of the State Prosecutor General’s Office, as the next Chief of the Constitutional Court.

MPs urge Speaker to dismiss Minister Zorigt

MPs Ts.Batbayar, S.Erdene and Ts.Sedvanchig have called upon Speaker D.Demberel to dismiss Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy D.Zorigt without delay.

Coal industry representatives to gather in Tianjin

Coal sector representatives from Mongolia will join a consultative meeting in Tianjin in China on January 6, organized by the Ministry of Mineral Resources and Energy, the Mineral Resources Authority and the Mongol Coal Association.

Capital city budget discussed

The Ulaanbaatar Civil Representatives’ Assembly reviewed on December 25 the capital city budget for 2011as passed by Parliament.

Appeal to buy more Mongolian goods

The Confederation of Trade Unions (CTU), NSB television and the Mongolian Employers’ Federation issued a joint appeal on December 27 asking citizens to buy more domestically produced goods and food items.

Kharumafuji to sponsor TV reality show

Kharumafuji or D.Byambadorj, who holds the ozeki rank in sumo wrestling, is in Mongolia.

Miners need women to operate heavy machinery

The Mongolian National Mining Association and Energy Resources LLC recently decided after a meeting that the present manpower situation in the country called for a review of a 1999 decree that bars women from operating heavy machinery.

Premier greets Mongolians abroad

Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, /MONTSAME/ The Prime Minister S.Batbold has greeted in behalf of the Government all the Mongolians who are living, working or studying abroad on occasion of the New year.

2010' highlight events of Montsame

Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, /MONTSAME/ The national MONTSAME news agency is naming the events to be written in its history:

MFSWF: We aim to win two gold medals in London Olympics

Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, /MONTSAME/ The Prime Minister S.Batbold received Tuesday a delegation led by D.Sumyabazar and Ya.Sodbaatar, first vice-presidents of the Mongolia's Free-Style Wrestling Federation (MFSWF).

Standing committee backs matter of receiving loan

Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, /MONTSAME/ The meeting of the parliamentary Standing committee on security and foreign policy discussed Tuesday a financial agreement on finance and payment for developmental policy, established between the government of Mongolia and the International Development Association (IDA).

Mongolia joins RIMES

Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, /MONTSAME/ Ceremony took place December 23, 2010 in Bangkok city, Thailand to join Mongolia to an agreement on cooperation with the Regional Integrated Multi-Hazard Early Warning System for Africa and Asia (RIMES).

Coal reserve might increase

Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, /MONTSAME/ As of today, Mongolia is being ranked in first ten in the world by reserve of coal.

Judoists to compete in world masters

Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, /MONTSAME/ The World Masters competitions for the best 16 judoists ranked by the International Judo Federation (IJF) will take place January 15-16, 2011 in Baku city, Azerbaijan.

Better Ag stems from ATAR-3 success

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S.Batbold, Prime Minister and head of the national council for the ‘Third Campaign for Reclaiming Virgin Lands’ agrarian development program, gave a speech at the national council’s meeting at the State House.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Il's Work Published in Mongolia

Pyongyang, December 26 (KCNA) -- General Secretary Kim Jong Il's work "Abuses of Socialism Are Intolerable" was brought out in pamphlet by the Mongolian Centre for the Study of Juche on Dec. 18.

Nomad Green: Mongolia On The Brink Of Eco-Catastrophe

Mongolia is a land locked country with long and freezing winters and hot and drought prone summers.

The UB POST names the 2010 Top Events in Mongolia

1. Big Construction Works Launched

New Years in Mongolia

In 1921, Mongolia, with support of Soviet Russia, started to become a modern country. Since that time, Mongolia started to adopt some current holiday practices, such as New Years, International Women’s Day and Mongolian Army Day (Men’s Day).

Mongolia has a lot of ground to cover before reaching happy ending

The Canadian group Fraser Institute recently dubbed Mongolia the second-worst destination for mining companies, but, nestled deep between Russia and China, this once-overlooked country plays host to potentially some of the world"s largest mineral deposits - a fact that cannot be ignored by the global mining industry, says a report in Interactive Investor .

Ivanhoe-Rio deal is a clear win for Mongolia

Mongolia has passed an important milestone underpinning the core of its growth for much of the next century, according to a note by ResCap.

Programs to create jobs and improve life still to take off

Just having a source of income is not enough, as many people in the country are realizing.

Monetary policy to remain strict

The Central Bank said on December 25 that there would be no change in the monetary policy as its priority was to keep inflation in a single digit.

Commercial bank loans to remain difficult

Not all economic analysts are agreed that the 11% policy rate the Mongol Bank has left unchanged since last year will help control inflation, but the Bank has said it will retain the rate in 2011.

SMEs need MNT800 billion to fully develop

Most of the 1,000 domestic economic entities that contribute to the budget are small and medium enterprises while a few are large companies.

Mining companies urged to report their water use details

The Alliance of the Civil Movements for Environmental Protection, which includes 11 organizations from 10 aimags, has urged mining companies to reveal details of their water consumption.

Japanese likely to win the Development Bank tender

The choice of organization to run the Development Bank will be revealed this week and two groups from South Korea and Japan are favorites for the selection.

Flights from Ereen to Ulaanbaatar being planned

The newly opened Sain Us airport in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region of China, 27 km from Ereen city and 32 km from the border with Mongolia, is likely to serve flights to Ulaanbaatar and to the Far Eastern areas of the Russian Federation in the near future.

Meat smuggled in coal trucks

Residents in five aimags including Uvs, Khovd and Zavkhan, have told Gal Undesten Union officials that a large quantity of meat is regularly smuggled to China in trucks carrying coal. Between 600 and 700 tons of sheep and goat meat is smuggled daily.

China’s assistance to Mongolia can be limited – the sun today

AP, as the global financial crisis has led to coal, copper and wool prices, the Government of Mongolia 15, the Chinese Government provides 30 billion dollars in loans to address the current crisis.

Invitation for bidding

Date: December 23, 2010 Name: Open Bidding for Contract Miner for Tavan Tolgoi Coal Deposit Number: Erdenes-TT/23/12/2010

Winter likely to worsen

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and National Agency for Meteorology,Hydrology and Environment Monitoring say that the wintering situation in 88 soums of 15 aimags may worsen.

Why Mongolia and Sri Lanka are top of the stock markets

One exchange is the world's smallest, the other is in a country recovering from war, but they're both thriving.

Mongolia demands upfront payment for Tavan Tolgoi-paper

HONG KONG Dec 28 (Reuters) - Miners bidding for Mongolia's Tavan Tolgoi, which could become one of the world's largest coal mines, have to submit a proposal for upfront payment to win the deal, the South China Morning Post reported on Tuesday.

Solomon Updates Exploration in Mongolia

Solomon Resources Ltd. (SRB:TSX-V) is pleased to provide an update on its exploration programs in Mongolia. Solomon іѕ exploring projects, subject tο іtѕ Option Agreement wіtһ Gallant Minerals Ltd., covering 22 projects іח Mongolia.

Marathon man finishes race 52

There was little for Australians to be excited about at the MCG on Monday, but a couple of kilometres away a Melbourne man became the first person to complete 52 marathons in 52 weeks.

Leyshon Resources AIM Readmission and Placement

December 23 (Leyshon) Leyshon Resources Limited (AIM:LRL, ASX:LRL) (Company) advises that it has today lodged the attached Admission Document with the Alternative Investment Market (AIM) of the London Stock Exchange pursuant to its readmission to trading on AIM.

Japanese Cos To Bid For Mongolia Tavan Tolgoi Mine Development

A consortium of four Japanese trading houses plans to bid for partial development of Mongolia's coal deposits of more than 6 billion metric tons, spokesmen of three of the four companies said Monday.

China Imports 14.52 Million Tonnes Of Coal From Mongolia

China imported a total of 14.52 million tonnes of coal from Mongolia in the first eleven months this year, growing 109% year on year, as per the Administration of Inner Mongolia Coal Industry.

PM wants detailed proposal from Korea Development Bank

A Korea Development Bank (KDB) delegation headed by its Chairman and CEO, Euoo-Sung Min, recently called on Prime Minister S.Batbold to express their interest in cooperating with Mongolia in running the recently established National Development Bank.

Remnant of Chinese loan to be used for railway work

The Government has decided to spend USD24,307 remaining of the soft loan of USD300 million from the Chinese Government on some construction work for Ulaanbaatar Railway.

Bat-Uul questions need for large programs

The Standing Committee on Nature, Environment, Food and Agriculture decided on December 22 to forward to Parliament the proposal to allocate MNT1.8 trillion to a national program on climate change that will be spent on environmental protection, including post-mining reclamation.

Ambulances and equipment for all aimags

The Millennium Challenge Foundation (MCF) has handed over ambulance vehicles with medical equipment and training facilities worth USD285 million to hospitals and health organizations throughout the country.

S.Oyun: It is imperative to have next election under new law

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MP S.Oyun answers our reporter’s questions on the election law.

Parliament approves new procedures to amend Constitution

Parliament passed on December 23 the law draft on procedures to amend the Constitution. Earlier, the final discussion at the Standing Committees had been marked by acrimony and dispute, but the approval by Parliament was comparatively uneventful.

Nine companies in construction field win Barilga awards

Nine organizations in the construction field were chosen as the best in as many spheres and received the Barilga Best Awards-2010 at a ceremony in Chinggis Khaan hotel on December 20.

Cooperation memorandum signed on border area tourism

A cooperation memorandum has been signed between tourism officials of Mongolia and the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region of China.

Construction expenses in Ulaanbaatar 43.5% more this year

Construction work in Ulaanbaatar city this year has cost MNT21.4 billion or 43.5% more than in 2009. This includes MNT16.4 billion spent on building and street repair work done by foreign and domestic companies.

MPs urge better audit of big state companies

Two DP MPs, Ya. Batsuuri and E. Bat-Uul, have expressed concern that state-owned companies are “used as milk cows” by those in power and said that until there is operational transparency in them, they “will remain hotbeds of corruption”.

About preliminary results of livestock census

Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, /MONTSAME/ According to a preliminary census of livestock of 2010, Mongolia has lost 12 million heads of livestock due to natural disasters and infectious diseases.

MNOC members' session held

Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, /MONTSAME/ All members' session of Mongolia's National Olympic Committee (MonNOC) was held December 22 in the Olympic House.

"Borte Chono-2010" takes place

Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, /MONTSAME/ The "Borte Chono-2010" festival of granting the best sportspeople prizes took place Thursday in the "600" studio at Mongolia's National Public Television.

GHMAF's delegation visits China

Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, /MONTSAME/ A delegation headed by Lieutenant-General Ts.Byambajav, head of the General Headquarters of Mongolia's Armed Forces (GHMAF) paid an official visit December 21-23 to People's Republic of China at an invitation of the Colonel-General Chen Bingde, chief of the General Staff Department of People's Liberation Army (PLA).

"Successor of champions" prize awarded

Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, /MONTSAME/ Initiated and established by State Honored Sportsmen Kh.Tsagaanbaatar, E.Badar-Uugan and B.Naranbaatar, the "Together for success" NGO has granted the "Successor of Champions" prize to FIDE Master D.Nomin-Erdene.

Ch. Ganzorig becomes president of olympic boxing federation

Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, /MONTSAME/ Director of the "Erdenet" Mining Corporation Ch.Ganzorig has been elected the president of Mongolia's Olympic Boxing Federation (MOBF).

Freestyle wrestling federation has new vice presidents

Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, /MONTSAME/ A meeting of Mongolia's Free-Style Wrestling Federation (MFSWF) has elected its first vice-presidents and some leading officials.

Democracy in East Asia

A fascinating study of how democracy is faring in East Asia, released late last year, deserves a closer look, particularly at this time of financial crisis, when self-styled socialist countries (think China and Vietnam) are doing relatively well after turning to the market economy and governments in the capitalist countries are taking over banks and other private enterprises.

Beyond the Cashmere Sweater

Standing two and a quarter meters at the shoulder and weighing as much as a midsize car, the yak is the buffalo of the Mongolian steppe.

Copper 2011 Price Outlook

If copper closes the year near its current price of around $9,200 per tonne on the London Metal Exchange, the metal will finish the year with an impressive 35 percent gain in only six months.

Ivanhoe touts ‘significant’ China gas find

Ivanhoe Energy IE-T has announced what it’s calling a “significant” natural gas discovery at its subsidiary Sunwing in southwest China, expecting to help meet China’s energy needs.

Year End Letter from Chairman of Prophecy

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA — Prophecy Resource Corp. ("Prophecy" or the "Company") (TSX VENTURE: PCY)(OTCQX: PRPCF)(FRANKFURT: 1P2)

The 'bad boys' of sumo: Why some foreign wrestlers have trouble adjusting to the sport's rigid world

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The recent Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament ended in victory for yet another foreign sumo wrestler--Mongolian yokozuna Hakuho, a very familiar name on the list of basho winners these days. That marked a victory drought of roughly five years since a Japanese sumo wrestler was last crowned champion.

Korea to Make Joint Bid with Japanese and Russian Firms for Mongolia Coal Mine

Firms from Korea, Japan and Russia will reportedly make a joint bid in January for the rights to develop a large coal mine in Mongolia.

Japan, S Korea, Russia eye Mongolia coal mine - Nikkei

Dec 25 (Reuters) - Itochu Corp ( 8001.T ), Sumitomo Corp ( 8053.T ) and two Japan ese trading firms will jointly bid for rights to a large Mongolian coal mine, along with a South Korean consortium and a state-owned Russian company, the Nikkei business daily said.

Livestock number down by 27.7 percent in Mongolia

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ULAN BATOR, Dec. 24, 2010 ( Xinhua News Agency ) -- Official statistics showed Friday the total number of livestock in Mongolia this year is 31.8 million, down 27.7 percent from 2009.

Mongolian president appeals to stay away from vodka during new year period

ULAN BATOR, Dec. 24 (Xinhua) -- Mongolian President Elbegdorj Tsakhia Friday appealed to the Mongolian public to give up drinking vodka when attending a new year ceremony.

Nippon Steel ‘interested’ in coal assets in Mongolia, Russia

Nippon Steel Corp. , Japan’s biggest mill, is interested in investing in coal projects in Russia and Mongolia to secure supplies of the raw material, an executive said.

Debt to be reduced to zero

Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, /MONTSAME/ The cabinet meeting held Wednesday approved a Mongolia-Russia inter-governmental agreement on regulation of financial responsibility of Mongolia to the Russian Federation (RF) which was signed December 14, 2010 in Moscow, Russia.

Cabinet obliges to render equal social services

Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, /MONTSAME/ The cabinet discussed and approved Wednesday a document on standards of social services to be equally delivered to the people.

Agreement approved to combat human trafficking

Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, /MONTSAME/ The government discussed and approved Wednesday an inter-governmental agreement on cooperation in combating against human trafficking, between Mongolia and Macau, a special administrative region of the People's Republic of China (PRC).

Cabinet meeting in brief

Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, /MONTSAME/ On Wednesday, the cabinet meeting considered results of the state visit of the President Ts.Elbegdorj to Japan paid November 15-19 and decided to submit them to the National Security Council.

Nat'l olympic committee organizes seminar

Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, /MONTSAME/ Mongolia's National Olympic Committee (MonNOC) has organized a seminar for heads of Olympic councils of aimags and the city's districts. The main purposes of the action are to spread and develop sports in rural areas and to propagandize international Olympic ideology among children and youths.

74 new factories were built in the Capital

The year 2010 was named the year of “Renovation of Business Environment” and in accordance, the government provided soft loans for small and medium enterprises.

Miners Dig for Deals as M&A Moves to Emerging Markets

Dec. 15 (Bloomberg) -- Mining takeovers, heading for the second best year on record, are shifting to the emerging markets of Africa and Asia as BHP Billiton Ltd., Rio Tinto Group and Xstrata Plc look to seal cheaper deals in less-explored areas.

"When issued" Trading in Ivanhoe Mines rights Begins December 23, 2010, in Advance of Planned Start of Regular Rights Trading in Early January 2011

TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - Dec. 22, 2010) - Ivanhoe Mines (TSX:IVN)(NYSE:IVN)(NASDAQ:IVN) announced today that rights to be issued under the company's previously announced rights offering will begin trading on a "when issued" basis on Thursday, December 23, 2010, on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) under the symbol "IVN.RT," on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) under the symbol "IVN RT WI" and on the NASDAQ Stock Market under the symbol "IVN.Z."

SouthGobi Resources Closes Strategic Investment in Aspire Mining Limited

HONG KONG, CHINA--(Marketwire - Dec. 23, 2010) - SouthGobi Resources Ltd. (TSX:SGQ)(SEHK:1878), announced today that it has completed the private placement with Aspire Mining Limited ("Aspire") (ASX:AKM) announced on October 26, 2010.

Hunnu Coal IPO OF THE YEAR Article on RESOURCESTOCKS Magazine

PERTH-BASED HUNNU Coal listed on the Australian Securities Exchange on February 12, 2010, as a specialist coal company with a clearcut strategy.

Data show economy is improving

The National Statistics Office has released figures for key indices in several social and economic sectors.

MPs favor agreement with China to send back prisoners

The Standing Committee on Security and Foreign Policy has unanimously approved the proposed agreement between Mongolia and China to send convicted prisoners to their home countries. Mongolia already has a similar agreement with Canada and South Korea. Once the agreement is concluded, the exchange of prisoners can start within three months.

Ulaanbaatar hopes for more economic powers

City officials have been demanding more economic powers and authority for long but no decision has yet been taken. Meanwhile, next year’s state budget shows an MNT26-billion deficit for the city and the Civil Representative Assembly will meet on December 23 to discuss and pass the city’s budget of 2011.

Standing committee wants more discussion on draft on VAT

The Standing Committee on the Budget decided on December 21 to have further discussion on the law draft on the Value Added Tax.

J.Jargalsaikhan: Mortgage market has to develop much more

The General Director of the National Mortgage Corp (NMC), J.Jargalsaikhan, answers our journalist’s questions.

Parliamentary office delegation attends seminar in S.KOREA

Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, /MONTSAME/ An international seminar of parliamentary research services of Asian countries has been held in Seoul, the Republic of Korea, at an initiative of the Research Service of the South Korea's National Assembly.

Commission on rehabilitation of politically repressed reports

Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, /MONTSAME/ Head of the State Commission on Management and Organization of the Rehabilitation of Politically Repressed (CMORPR), Vice Speaker N.Enkhbold gave a report Monday on works done by the commission since its establishment in 1990. This meeting was also a ceremony to close the commission's 20th anniversary actions.

Montsame names world events of 2010

Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, /MONTSAME/ The MONTSAME national news agency of Mongolia is highlighting the most important events that have occurred in the world in 2010.

Vice speaker visits Germany

Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, /MONTSAME/ A delegation headed by G.Batkhuu, a Vice Speaker of Mongolia, has visited Germany's Berlin, Dresden and Freiberg cities at an invitation of the government of the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG).

Montsame names domestic highlight events

Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, /MONTSAME/ The MONTSAME national news agency of Mongolia is highlighting the most important events that have occurred in Mongolia in 2010.

Asia's Exploding Economic Growth Churns Australia's Coal Industry

Global steel production is set to increase by nearly two-thirds in 2020, anticipates Peabody, the bulk of which will be in India and China. And, as the biggest American coal company playing in the Asian market, Peabody is pressing its case in the form of acquisitions and infrastructure expansions.

Ivanhoe Energy Inc. is Today's Focus Stock on MicroStockProfit.com

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DALLAS, Dec. 22, 2010 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- MicroStockProfit.com announces an investment report featuring Ivanhoe Energy Inc. (Nasdaq: IVAN - News ). The report includes financial, comparative and investment analyses, and industry information you need to know to make an educated investment decision.

St.Petersburg museums turn to Asia and Africa

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The leading St. Petersburg museums, the Hermitage and the Chamber of Rarities and Curiosities, are entering into cooperation with museums in Asia and Africa. The first contacts have been established with Mongolia and Kenya. At the present stage, the Russian museums are assisting their foreign colleagues with forming exhibitions dedicated to the history of their countries.

Revenue: Moncton's Landdrill International contracts expected to generate $20 million in 2011

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MONCTON - Next year is already shaping up to be a record-breaker for Moncton-based mineral driller Landdrill International Inc. (TSX.V:LDI).

Mongolia to Have Nuclear Power Plant by 2020: Official

Mongolia plans to build its first nuclear power plant around 2020, officials said Wednesday.

China, Mongolia pledge to enhance military ties

Chinese National Defense Minister Liang Guanglie and Tserendejid Byambajav, the visiting chief of general staff of the Mongolian armed forces, met in Beijing Tuesday and pledged to enhance bilateral military cooperation.

ADB, Japan Help Mongolia Improve Financial Services, Education For Poor

The FINANCIAL -- A $2.5 million grant from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) will help Mongolia overhaul its savings and credit cooperative market and provide basic financial education nationwide, particularly for poor households.

Counterfeit drugs in Mongolia

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My friend from UlanBaatar, Jargal Dambadarjaa, who is also the head of the Mongolians for Fair Taxes and Wise Spending wrote two months ago in his blog, Counterfeit Medications . Jargal wrote,

Mongolia adopts EU standards

Prime Minister S.Batbold’s aim to adopt European standards in Mongolia received a boost with the signing on December 20 of a Collaboration and Partnership Agreement between Mongolia and the European Union.

Goyol-2011 chooses best models and designers

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The annual Goyol show has always been the biggest gathering of Mongolian fashion designers and models, but Goyol-2011 also brought to viewers designers from Russia, Thailand, South Korea and Japan. E.Selenge was adjudged.

MPP group favors more power for local officials

The MPP group in Parliament met on December 20 to discuss the law draft on the election. A working group had earlier reviewed the MPP Managing Council’s understanding of the Constitution that an MP can only be directly elected by voters and its suggestion that the new structure should allow representation from local people.

Aimag Governors want Atar-3 to continue

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The National Council of the three-year Atar-3 project, initiated by S.Bayar when he was Prime Minister to increase agricultural production, met on December 20 to review final results. Several aimag Governors urged continuance of the project so that its gains could be consolidated.

NEA chief denies court ruled in favor of Khan Resources

Khan Resources LLC of Canada owns 58% of the Central Asian Uranium Co., which has worked in the Mardai uranium deposit in Dornod aimag, while Monatom LLC of Mongolia and ARMZ LLC of Russia own 21% each.

Erdenet team visits Oyutolgoi

A team of 12 senior executives and specialists from the Erdenet Mining Corporation recently visited the Oyutolgoi project site to observe the grand development going on there.

20 students receive Rio Tinto scholarship

Rio Tinto, working in cooperation with Zorig Foundation, has awarded scholarships to 20 students of domestic universities in the present academic year, majoring in geology, mining, economics, and law.

Domestic companies want bigger share of mining-related work

The aim of the recent Competitive Mongolia exhibition was to demonstrate that a “strong Mongolia can be established only by allowing domestic producers, goods and service providers to participate in the grand development of mining in the Mongolian Gobi”, according to its joint organizers, the Mongolian National Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Mongol 999 national consortium.

Ambassador to Croatia presents credentials

Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, /MONTSAME/ The Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Mongolia to the Republic of Croatia J.Enkhsaikhan has presented his letter of credence to the Croatian President Ivo Josipovic.

Premier: Campaign for reclaiming virgin lands is fruitful

Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, /MONTSAME/ The Prime Minister, head of the national council for the "Third Campaign for Reclaiming Virgin Lands" agrarian development program S.Batbold gave a speech at the national council's meeting held Monday in the Government House.

State leaders receive diplomats

Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, /MONTSAME/ The representation of Mongolia's powers--President Ts.Elbegdorj, the Speaker D.Demberel and the Prime Minister S.Batbold--received Tuesday the heads of diplomatic missions and international organization in Mongolia.

Prime Minister meets WB country director

Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, /MONTSAME/ The Premier met Tuesday Mrs. Coralie Gevers, the newly appointed country director of the World Bank (WB) for Mongolia.

Top university sportspeople selected

Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, /MONTSAME/ Mongolia's University Sports Federation (MUSF) has selected the top students--sportsmen, sportswomen and a team of the year 2010. On Tuesday, the top ones received prizes in the Central Sports Palace.

Foreign mining in Mongolia: Western Deceptions and the Extinction of the Nomads

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Predatory capitalism has invaded Mongolia -- the savage western hordes overrunning the land -- and but for the recent Hollywood movie spectacle Mongol [1] and colorful travel magazine articles no one in America hears much of anything about the place.

Bayankhuu Becomes Mr. Mongolia 2010

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L.Bayankhuu won Mr.Mongolia-2010 title and bagged MNT10 million cash prize in the 19th Mongolian National Bodybuilding and Fitness Championships, which was organized by Mongolian Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation in Culture’s Center Palace on December 18, 2010.

New Reference Book about Mongolia

You may have heard of Genghis Khan, but who was Bogd Khan? What happened during the great purge of 1937? What is the difference between the Great Khural and the Little Khural?

Serving as Ambassador in Mongolia

Until the 1990s, Mongolia was a member of the Eastern bloc. Therefore, the Mongolian diplomatic community was represented by socialist countries. Now, most former socialist countries shut down their embassies. We do not have any more embassies from Hungary, Poland, and Romania etc. For ambassadors from these countries, Mongolia was another socialist country, and it was mostly clear.

Mongolia – First Asian Country to Sign PAC with EU

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A Framework Agreement on Partnership and Cooperation (PAC) between the European Community and its Member States and Mongolia is signed in Ulaanbaatar on December 20.

Xanadu Mines in solid ASX debut

Mongolia-focused coal, copper and gold explorer Xanadu Mines Ltd has made a positive debut on the Australian Securities Exchange.

E.Bat-Uul: Livestock may lose special state protection

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MP E.Bat-Uul answers questions on the ongoing discussion in Parliament of the draft of the amendment procedures for the Constitution.

Russian money likely to be spent on 50 locomotives

The head of Ulaanbaatar Railway, T.Ochirkhuu, has indicated that the USD125 million Russia has indicated it will add to the joint venture company’s capital is most likely to be used to buy 50 locomotives.

No decision yet on 5th power plant site

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The demand for electricity continues to increase along with the population of the capital city. It is believed that 15,000 households live without electricity. The Ministry of Mineral Resources and Energy puts the figure at 6,776 and Minister D.Zorigt has said these have been denied electricity connection as they have no permission to own land.

Children’s Park full of fun

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A Christmas fair was inaugurated in the Children’s Park on December 17 and will continue until December 31. Daily programs are scheduled from 10 am to 9 pm. Other attractions at the park during the festive season are representations in ice of the seven wonders of the world, including the pyramids of Egypt, the great wall of China, the Eiffel Tower of France and the Taj Mahal of India. There will be fireworks every day at 7.30 pm and spectators can choose their own display.

Xanadu Mines IPO oversubscribed, listing on December 21

Australian-backed and Mongolia-focused minerals explorer and developer Xanadu Mines Ltd. closed its Initial Public Offer (IPO) oversubscribed and expects to list on the Australian Securities Exchange on December 21. Through its IPO, Sydney-based Xanadu sought to raise AUD21 million at 60c a share and the offer received a significant level of support from a broad cross section of local and international investors.

Minister reasserts successful wheat production

Deputy Minister of Food, Agriculture, and Light Industry Kh. Zoljargal has said the recent outbreak of the foot and mouth disease was the first in Mongolia since 2001, and actually came at a time when the Government was planning to write to the WHO that Mongolia was free of the disease. He guessed the infection had come from antelope which travel to and from China, but did not answer a question on whether “China had deliberately sent infected antelope across the border”.

Speaker calls for “national fight” against corruption

Parliament Speaker D.Demberel has said it is unfortunate that the feeling is widespread in the country that someone stealing MNT100,000 gets to spend 10 years in jail, but those stealing several billions live in honor and dignity.

UNDP deputy premier is granted diploma

Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, /MONTSAME/ The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Mongolia G.Zandanshatar received Monday Mrs. Shoko Noda, the Deputy Resident Representative of UNDP Mongolia. She is to return home soon.

S. Batbold meets Qatari minister of finance

Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, /MONTSAME/ The Prime Minister S.Batbold received Monday Mr. Youssif Hussain Kamal, the Qatari Minister of finance and economics, in the Government House.

Mongolia and EU initial partnership and cooperation agreement

Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, /MONTSAME/ Mongolia and the European Union (EU) initialed Monday a partnership and cooperation agreement in Ulaanbaatar, successfully finishing the stage of the talks. The agreement has been initialed by B.Bolor, the Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of Mongolia, and by Mr. Franz Jessen, a head of the European Commission's unit for Mongolia.

U.S. ambassador gives lecture

Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, /MONTSAME/ The Ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary of the USA to Mongolia Mr. Jonathan Addleton has given a lecture to students of the International Relations School at Mongolia's State University (MSU), the U.S Embassy in Mongolia said Monday.

Forum held on purchase activity

Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, /MONTSAME/ The first forum dedicated to the governmental purchase activity has been co-organized by the Ministry of Finance, the "Mercy Corps" international organization, and the "Developmental center of purchase activity" NGO.

Board of Erdenes Tavantolgoi LLC is announced

The State Property Committee announced the names of the 9 members of Central Governing Board of the Erdenes Tavantolgoi LLC.

Xanadu Mines admitted to the ASX, targeting coal, gold and copper in Mongolia

Mongolian focused Xanadu Mines (ASX: XAM) has been admitted to the ASX and will commence trading at 11am AEDT today, Tuesday 21 December 2010.

Lake George church raises funds for Mongolian woman struck by car

LAKE GEORGE -- Caldwell Presbyterian Church members have raised $3,350 in the last month to benefit a Mongolian woman seriously injured after a car struck her last summer.

India, Mongolia hold joint military exercises

The troops of India and Mongolia engaged in joint exercises, with the latest two-week drill in counter-insurgency ending in Belgaum on Sunday.

193 Mongolian women take South Korean citizenship

The South Korean Immigration Office says193 of the 2,500 Mongolian women married to Korean citizens have taken Korean citizenship. Korean men are said to prefer marrying foreigners as Korean women do not want to have many children.

Canceling mining licenses will hit banks also, says movement leader

Mining companies have come together to oppose the Government’s decision to review and revoke licenses of explorers and extractors in river basins and forest areas. Altogether 254 licenses held by gold mining companies have already been identified for cancellation.

Erdenes Tavantolgoi RMC raises eyebrows

The State Property Committee has announced the names of the members of the Representative Managing Council of the Erdenes Tavantolgoi LLC. The SPC Chairman, D.Sugar, heads the 9-member RMC.

City to relocate all leather and wool processing units

The city authorities have accepted recommendations in a feasibility study conducted by the Ministry for Food, Agriculture and Light Industry on replacing the present Hargia waste water treatment plant with a new one that will use newer technology and have more capacity.

Mongolian ambassador presents credentials

Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, /MONTSAME/ The Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Mongolia to the Republic of Greece Ts.Gankhuyag presented Wednesday his diplomatic credentials to Karolos Papoulias, the President of Greece.

U.S embassy's public affairs section donates teaching materials

Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, /MONTSAME/ On December 16, 2010, staff from the Public Affairs Section (PAS) of the U.S. Embassy in Mongolia donated free publications and teaching materials for use by Peace Corps volunteers during participation in the Peace Corps "Partnership Fair".

Judoists grab medals

Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, /MONTSAME/ An international master of sports G.Boldbaatar won a gold medal in the Judo Grand Prix took place December 17-18 in Qingdao city, China. Some 250 judoists from 31 countries have competed in the competition. Mongolia has been represented by 12 male and seven female judoists.

Resolution made to transfer energy sector to market principals

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It has been around 20 years since Mongolia transited to market economy; however the energy sector did not make a transition to market economy. As a result, heating and electricity services continue to be provided at prices lower than production costs which leads to the sector to suffer permanent losses and rely on State subsidies.

New survey indicates sharp rise in public awareness of human trafficking

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Since February 2008, the Human Security Policy Studies Centre HSPSC,NGO, has been implementing the‘Project to Combat Human Trafficking in Mongolia’ under a grant from the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC). One of the main objectives of the project has been to raise public awareness to help prevent and protect citizens from being victimized, as well as to help focus the attention and resources needed to tackle this crime.

Regular Mongolia-China meeting irons out consular issues

Dec 17, 2010 (BBC Monitoring via COMTEX) -- [By B. Huder] Ulaanbaatar: The 12th consular consultative meeting of Mongolia and China was held 15 December in Beijing, China.

Voyager has commenced drilling at the Khongor Copper Gold project in Mongolia

Voyager Resources Limited (ASX:VOR) announces that it has commenced diamond core drilling at its 100% owned Khongor Copper Gold Porphyry Project located in the World Class Oyu Tolgoi Copper Belt of the South Gobi Province of Mongolia.

Partnership and cooperation agreement to be initiated

Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, /MONTSAME/ A partnership and cooperation agreement between Mongolia and the European Union will be initialed December 20 in Ulaanbaatar. Fro this purpose, a delegation is to arrive headed by Mr. Franz Jessen, a head of the European Commission's unit for Mongolia.

CPC vows to enhance friendship with Mongolian People's Party

A senior official of the Communist Party of China (CPC) on Friday vowed to enhance the party's friendship and cooperation with the Mongolian People's Party (MPP).

Ivanhoe aims to raise $1.2 bln in rights offering

* 100 rights to equal 15 common shares * Shares priced at C$13.93 on TSX, $13.88 on NYSE * Shares up 2.25 percent at C$25.01 on TSX (In U.S. dollars unless noted)

Preparing for winter in a remote Mongolian province

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Last year, Mongolia was hit by a devastating “dzud,” – an extremely harsh winter that follows a very dry summer. With heavy snow, and temperatures as low as -40 to -50C, large parts of the rural population were unable to access any form of healthcare. Hospitals and clinics were damaged, infant mortality rose significantly and the government declared a national emergency.

Bringing Vietnam-Mongolia relationship to a new height

A high-ranking delegation of the Mongolian Parliament, led by its Chairman Demberel Damdin, left Hanoi on December 17 after concluding its official visit to Vietnam.

101 of 337 regulations to be cancelled

Deputy Prime Minister M.Enkhbold, head of the working group charged with implementing business environment reforms in 2010, has said it has been decided to cancel 101 of the 337 regulations enforced by 11 ministries and 25 agencies.

Measuring poverty in Mongolia

The unwritten law that the poverty is reduced if the economy grows does not seem to hold true in Mongolia. Why is this so? A World Bank report on the puzzle was yesterday released by the Bank’s economists Andrew D Meson and Tran B Nguen at a ceremony attended by representatives of the National Development and Innovation Committee, the National Statistics Office, the President’s advisers, some Ambassadors and media.

Snow between 10 and 45 cm covers 70% of Mongolia

The Meteorology Institute says snow now covers 70% of the territory and some soums of Bayan-Ulgii, Uvs, Zavkhan, Khuvsgul, Arkhangai, Uvurkhangai, Bulgan, Selenge, Dundgobi, Khentii, Dornod and Sukhbaatar aimags are under 10 and 45 cm of snow.

Small suppliers meet OT delivery deadline

Small start-up businesses in South Gobi and Ulaanbaatar recently overcame a number of obstacles to deliver an Oyutolgoi order for more than 1,000 winter jackets.

Number of environmental NGOs reaches 500

The number of non-governmental organizations (NGO) in the environment field has gone up from 312 five years ago to 500.

Mongolians win two medals in Asian para games

Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, /MONTSAME/ Mongolian judoists have won medals in the 16th Asian Para Games that started December 12 in Guangzhou, China.

L. Bold meets Defense Minister of Russia

Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, /MONTSAME/ In scope of the official visit of Mongolia's Premier S.Batbold to the Russian Federation (RF), the Defense Minister of Mongolia L.Bold held Wednesday a meeting with his Russian counterpart A.E.Serdyukov.

President meets German ambassador

Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, /MONTSAME/ The President of Mongolia Ts.Elbegdorj received Wednesday Mr. Pius Fischer, the Ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary of the Federal Republic of Germany to Mongolia.

G. Gerelt-Od elected vice head of Statistical Bureau of ESCAP

Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, /MONTSAME/ The second session of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific's (UNESCAP) Statistical Commission started Wednesday in Bangkok city, Thailand.

Premier ends visit in Saint Peterburg

Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, /MONTSAME/ The Prime Minister S.Batbold arrived Thursday in Saint Petersburg city in frames of his official visit to the Russian Federation.

ARMZ Uranium Says Mantra Needs $400 Million for 2012 Startup

Dec. 16 (Bloomberg) -- Rosatom Corp.’s ARMZ Uranium Holding, which yesterday agreed to buy Australia’s Mantra Resources Ltd., said the Perth-based company needs as much as $400 million in investment to begin uranium output in late 2012.

Prophecy Files Prefeasibility Study for the Ulaan Ovoo Coal Mine in Mongolia

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwire - Dec. 16, 2010) - Prophecy Resource Corp. ("Prophecy" or the "Company") (TSX VENTURE:PCY)(OTCQX:PRPCF)(FRANKFURT:1P2) reports the Company has received an updated prefeasibility study on the Ulaan Ovoo deposit in northern Mongolia.

Meritus to commence winter diamond drilling program at Gutain Davaa, Mongolia

Vancouver, B.C.: Meritus Minerals Ltd. (MML) (TSX-V - MER | PowerRating ) (the 'Company") announces that it expects to commence a winter drilling program at its Toordogiin Shil Project on the Gutain Davaa Property in Mongolia in the next few days.

Household Corruption in Mongolia Drops to Record Low

On December 9, The Asia Foundation’s Mongolia office released its 10th Corruption Benchmarking Survey (CBS), the only tool that measures both public perceptions of institutional corruption, and the impact of petty corruption on the day-to-day life of Mongolian households.

SRK opens Mongolia office

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SRK Consulting expects staff numbers in its new office in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, to increase significantly next year as exploration and development activity in the country’s nascent mining sector accelerates.

“MPRP” to hold special assembly

Sections of the MPRP which have not accepted the change of the party’s name to MPP and continue to run their party from “the MPRP headquarters” have announced plans to hold a special assembly, without giving any date.

Committee approves agricultural market draft, with questions

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The Standing Committee on Food and Agriculture yesterday approved the law draft to set up an agricultural raw material exchange and will now submit it to Parliament for approval. Some MPs, including E.Bat-Uul and Ts.Bayarsaikhan, felt the draft was incomplete and wanted clearer regulations on how the exchange will work.

Oyutolgoi finds water under the desert to meet its needs

The discovery of water deep under the Gobi desert is likely to remain one of the greatest achievements of the Oyutolgoi LLC environmental team. The Gunii Hooloi aquifer, a geological formation containing ground water, is forecast to provide water to the mine for the next 40 years whilst leaving plenty in the ground. It is deeper and separate from the water in local bores, wells and springs so the effect on these other water sources is anticipated to be minimal.

Work on rental apartments to begin soon

The Ulaanbaatar City Construction and Urban Planning Board is going ahead with plans to build apartments for rent in five areas of the city, and at the same time to move people away from the city to ease the pressure on its infrastructure.

Mongolian boxers fight for foreign teams

Four Mongolian boxers are representing foreign teams in the present World Series Boxing tournament organized by The International Amateur Boxing Association.

President, PM receive Mongolia House speaker

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HA NOI — Viet Nam and Mongolia should make full use of their potential and advantages to strengthen their bilateral traditional relationship, President Nguyen Minh Triet told visiting Mongolian parliament speaker Demberel Damdin.

Deputy first premier receives Czech ambassador

Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, /MONTSAME/ The First Deputy Premier N.Altankhuyag received Tuesday Mr. Vaclav Jilek, the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Czech Republic to Mongolia, and the third secretary of the Czech Embassy.

News from Beijing: Matters of security

Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, /MONTSAME/ The Minister of the Public Security of the People's Republic of China (PRC) Meng Jianzhu received Tuesday M.Enkhtuvshin, a head of the Council for National Security of Mongolia in Beijing, China.

Great Chairs at SRK – Steffen, Rigby and Armitage – and moves into Mongolia and Mexico

SRK Global has appointed a new chairman, Mike Armitage, who has been with the company for 20 years. A geologist by profession, Armitage has been instrumental in the company’s expansion into Europe and Russia and has worked in the minerals industry for more than 25 years.

Russia and Mongolia: Once and Forever

The Prime Minister of Mongolia will be in Moscow on the 13th-16th of December to see his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin.

German cooperation in rare earths exploration in Mongolia discussed

The National Development and Innovation Committee and GTZ, the German international cooperation organization, recently organized a seminar at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to explore the possibilities of developing rare earths based industries in Mongolia.

Ivanhoe chief locked in for Mongolia mine

RIO Tinto's grasp on Ivanhoe Mines and the $US6 billion Oyu Tolgoi copper and gold project in Mongolia has substantially tightened.

Russia continues to diversify uranium base

Russia's AtomRedMetZoloto (ARMZ) has further diversified its uranium resources by buying into two prospective deposits, one in Mongolia and one in Tanzania.

Russia, Mongolia foster bilateral cooperation with new nine agreements

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MOSCOW, December 14 (Itar-Tass) -- Nine cooperation agreements, including those settling the Mongolian debts and laying down fundamentals of the Dornod Uranium joint venture, were signed in Moscow on Tuesday, on results of negotiations of Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin and his Mongolian counterpart Sukhbaatar Batbold.

Demberel opens film festival in Kolkata

Inaugurating the second Mongolian film festival at the state-run film complex Nandan during his visit to Kolkata, earlier known as Calcutta, Mongolian Parliament Speaker D. Demberei said Bollywood actors are immensely popular in Mongolia, which shows that cinema surpasses language and borders.

Mongolsekiyu boss against foreign control of oil sector

T. Namjim, Director of Mongolsekiyu, the company that has signed an agreement with two Japanese companies, Marubeni and Toyo Engineering, to set up an oil refinery in Darkhan, said oil has a strategic role in every country’s economy and it is very important to make sure that production and processing of oil in the country should remain as much as possible in the hands of national companies.

Trade Union issues 12 demands

The Confederation of Trade Unions has issued a public statement jointly with public servants in the health, transportation, telecommunication, and oil sectors.

Power rates should be raised, but gradually

MPs taking part in last week’s discussion in Parliament on proposals to allow free use of electricity kept on saying the mess in the energy price can be cleaned only if pricing followed market rules. Without citing sources they said most household consumers do not use more than 150 units in a month and wanted all economic entities to be listed among those using more than 150 units. They also suggest higher tariff for the latter while retaining subsidized rates for those using less than 150 units.

Social insurance sector in figures

Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, /MONTSAME/ In the first 11 months of 2010, 556.8 thousand people were registered as insurer, of which 342.7 thousand or 61.6 per cent were those from the establishments, and 214.1 thousand or 38.4 per cent from the public administration institutions.

Mongolia-S. Korea economic, investment forum held

Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, /MONTSAME/ In frames of the 20th anniversary of the Mongolia-South Korea diplomatic relations, the Mongolia-Korea economic and investment forum has been held in Seoul, Korea. Co-organized by the Embassy of Mongolia in the Republic of Korea and Mongolian doctor candidates, the forum with a theme "Mongolia-Korea economic cooperation and investment-2010" has attracted representatives from state organizations, NGOs, enterprisers and scholars of both countries.

New Airport will open its door in 2016

At Khushigt Valley, a newly planned international airport will be built with soft loan from the Japanese Government.

Mongolbank says that Mongolians wired $59.2 million back to home

According to the Mongolbank source, Mongolians, working and living abroad, wired $59.2 million back to home country.

MP Z.Enkhbold: Will give order to amend OT agreement

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MP Z.Enkhbold, the Chairman of the Standing Committee on Foreign Policy and Security, gave interview to Daily News Newspaper on December 8 2010. Business-mongolia.com extracts business related part of the interview to its readers.

Ivanhoe Mines To Invest US$2.5 Bln. In Mongolia For 2011; Shares Up - Update

(RTTNews) - Canada-based Ivanhoe Mines Ltd. (IVN: News , IVN.TO), Monday revealed a US$2.3 billion capital budget for 2011, for the first phase of its Oyu Tolgoi copper-gold project in southern Mongolia. Ivanhoe shares gained over 5% in the morning trade on the New York Stock Exchange, following the news.

Kudrin: Russia may provide $125 million loan to Mongolia

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MOSCOW, Dec 14 (PRIME-TASS) -- Russia could soon provide a U.S. $125 million loan to Mongolia, Russian Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Alexei Kudrin told reporters Tuesday.

Vietnam, Mongolia look towards new prospects for cooperation

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The Vietnam visit by Chairman of the Mongolian Parliament Demberel Damdin will open up new prospects for boosting bilateral cooperation between two parliaments as well as traditional friendship between the two countries.

Russia, Mongolia settle Mongolian debts – Putin

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MOSCOW, December 14 (Itar-Tass) -- An intergovernmental agreement has settled Mongolian debts to Russia, which formed in the Soviet period, Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said after Tuesday negotiations with his Mongolian counterpart.

Globo Shows Set for Mongolian Broadcast

SÃO PAULO: Each year over the next three years, 150 hours of programming from Globo TV International will be aired in Mongolia on the free-to-air channel Mongol TV.

Vietnam, Mongolia talk enhancement of ties

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Mongolia wants Vietnam to support its efforts to enhance ties with ASEAN and to join in the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Forum.

Passport Series: Mongolia: Microfinance Industry

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This week in the Passport Series, we will give you a look into the Microfinance Industry in Mongolia. For more background, check out last week's Country Profile of Mongolia.

China, Mongolia Eye Closer Cooperation on Law Enforcement

China and Mongolia vowed in Beijing Tuesday to step up cooperation on law enforcement to safeguard security in border area.

Russia, Mongolia agree conditions to set up JV in uranium mining

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Russia and Mongolia on Tuesday agreed the conditions on which a joint uranium mining company, Dordon Uran, will be established.

Exec sees Russia’s Udokan field development starting in 2012

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MOSCOW, Dec 13 (PRIME-TASS) -- The development of Russia’s Udokan copper field is expected to start in 2012, Sergei Chemezov, CEO of state industrial conglomerate Rostekhnologii, said Monday at a meeting with Mongolian businesspeople.

ADB Funds Logistics Center to Help Mongolia Expand, Speed Up Trade

The FINANCIAL -- Mongolia with support from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) will build a state-of-the-art road/rail linked logistics facility that will help expand and speed up trade, and increase the landlocked country's global competitiveness.

Russians know Mongolian uranium better than Mongolians

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Uranium exploration in Mongolia was under the coal and oil exploration program until 1960 when geologists from the Soviet Union took up the job. Then the Governments of the then Republic of Mongolia and the Soviet Union signed an agreement in 1970 setting up a uranium geological mapping program under the Ministry of Geology, and the work was mainly restricted to Eastern Mongolia.

20th anniversary of Democratic Revolution comes to an end

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The 20th anniversary celebrations of the Democratic Revolution came to a close on Friday with a special meeting in Government House attended by several who led the movement to break free of the totalitarian regime. D.Battulga, head of the President’s Office, read out Ts.Elbegdorj’s congratulatory message to “all the heroes on the path to democracy and to the Mongolian people who have made a success of democracy”.

Mongolia closes S. Korean friendship year

This year marks the 20th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between South Korea and Mongolia.

Premier's official visit begins

Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, /MONTSAME/ An official visit of the Prime Minister of Mongolia S.Batbold started Monday in the Russian Federation (RF) at invitation of the Russian Premier V.V.Putin.

G. Zandanshatar meets foreign ministers of Australia and Indonesia

Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, /MONTSAME/ Attending the Third Bali Democracy Forum held December 9-10 in Indonesia, the Foreign Minister of Mongolia G.Zandanshatar has met with Australia's foreign minister Mr. Kevin Rudd. They have exchanged views on the bilateral and regional relations and cooperation and on experiences of democratic development.

Mongolia-China consular consultative meeting to run

Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, /MONTSAME/ The 12th consular consultative meeting of Mongolia and China will start Tuesday in Beijing, China. It will consider an issue of implementation of matters discussed at the previous consultative meetings.

Mongolia-Cuba diplomatic relations turn 50

Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, /MONTSAME/ Mongolia and the Republic of Cuba celebrated the 50th anniversary of their diplomatic relations established December 7, 1960. In frames of the anniversary, the two countries have taken several steps to mark the anniversary.

D. Demberel meets Indian foreign minister and speaker of upper use

Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, /MONTSAME/ The Parliament Speaker paid an official visit to the Republic of India December 9-13. D.Demberel started it by paying a tribute to the Raj Ghat, a memorial to Mahatma Gandhi, a leader of India for the Indian independence movement. Then, India's foreign minister S.M. Krishna met the Speaker, his spouse M.Dolgorsuren and accompanying them officials.

D. Demberel meets speaker of Lok Sabha

Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, /MONTSAME/ In frames of the official visit, a delegation led by the Parliament Speaker D.Demberel has held talks with Mrs. Meira Kumar, the Speaker of the Lok Sabha, the lower house of the Indian parliament. It was a peak of the official visit.

Speaker gives interview

Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, /MONTSAME/ The TV channel of the Lok Sabha (parliamentary lower house of India) has taken an interview from the Parliament Speaker D.Demberel in scope of his official visit to India.

Senior athletes win 15 medals

Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, /MONTSAME/ The 16th Asia Masters Athletics Championships successfully took part December 6-12 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The Games have been attended by athletes from 17 countries. Mongolia has been represented by 14 senior athletes aged 35-74.

Rio Tinto Chief sees a good future for Mongolia

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The Mongol Messenger Editorin –Chief Borkhondoin Indra interviewed Rio Tinto’s CEO Tom Albanese about his company’s plans for Oyu Tolgoi and expansion in Mongolia during this week’s visit to Mongolia .

Inner Mongolia: Activist Remains Imprisoned After Official Release Date

Mongolian independence activist and Founder of the Southern Mongolian Democratic Alliance, Hada, remains imprisoned after having served his 15 year sentence, and his familiy members are persecuted by Chinese authorities without any justification.

Ivanhoe Mines To Invest US$2.5 Bln. In Mongolia For 2011; Shares Up - Update

(RTTNews) - Canada-based Ivanhoe Mines Ltd. (IVN: News , IVN.TO), Monday revealed a US$2.3 billion capital budget for 2011, for the first phase of its Oyu Tolgoi copper-gold project in southern Mongolia. Ivanhoe shares gained over 5% in the morning trade on the New York Stock Exchange, following the news.

Exclusive: A Trip To Mongolia aboard a BMW F650GS bike

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Today we bring you another story about courage, adventure and passion, of course involving a BMW. Mihai Barbu, a Romanian citizen, traveled 26,000 km (approx.16,000 miles) to Mongolia, aboard a BMW F650 GS Dakar 2000, named Doyle.

Bollywood actors have huge fan following in Mongolia

Kolkata, Dec 13 (PTI) Bollywood actors are immensely popular in Mongolia, which shows that cinema surpasses language and borders, Speaker (chairman) of Mongolian parliament Damdinglin Demberei today said.

Canadian companies to build solid waste generation plants in Mongolia and China

CALGARY - Maple Leaf Reforestation Inc. (TSXV:MPE) announced Monday that it entered into a joint venture with CF Lacey & Associates to build and run solid waste power generation plants in Mongolia and China.

Ivanhoe Mines Approves US$2.3 Bln Capital Budget - Quick Facts

(RTTNews) - Ivanhoe Mines Ltd. (IVN: News ,IVN.TO: News ) announced that a US$2.3 billion capital budget has been approved for 2011 in what will be the peak year of construction activity on the first phase of the Oyu Tolgoi copper-gold project in southern Mongolia.

Ivanhoe Mines upgraded to Buy

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Ivanhoe Mines Ltd. was upgraded to Buy from Hold at Desjardins Securities following a new agreement with Rio Tinto to fund the Oyu Tolgoi mine .

MP wants free electricity at night

Power stations survive on subsidies from the Government and their total indebtedness now is MNT500 billion. However, a study reveals that generation will not meet the country’s energy demand as early as 2013. Some MPs have submitted proposals suggesting some definite improvement measures and Parliament yesterday went through the first reading of the draft.

Coal transportation damages roads, causing accidents, deaths

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Heavyweight trucks carrying coal have led to cracks on the roads to Gashuun Sukhait and Shiveekhuren and the dust that is raised has been causing accidents. The Professional Monitoring Agency (PMA) says these have resulted in 11 deaths so far this year.

Grand Plaza area most polluted in Ulaanbaatar

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The Grand Plaza area in Bayangol district is the worst polluted in Ulaanbaatar, according to a survey by the Air Quality Office in November.

OT hopes to have Mongolians as 90% of work force

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The Human Resources Department of Oyutolgoi LLC is busy formulating ways to ensure that Mongolians constitute 90 percent of the work force when production begins.

License ban alarms investors, but has long-term benefits

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Mongolia"s decision to revoke hundreds of gold mining licenses has alarmed investors but the government"s efforts to clean up its mining sector could have long term benefits, says a Wall Street Journal report quoting the head of a foreign fund. Energy and Mining Minister D. Zorigt announced late last month that 254 gold mining licenses would be suspended for violating the country"s environmental laws, while another 1,700 licenses would be put under review. The move came after a series of policy changes over the last year aimed at bringing the booming but still nascent industry under greater supervision and control.

Japan to compete with others for Mongolian resources

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Japan is making a concerted effort to strengthen its relationship with Mongolia, one of the world"s richest stores of minerals. However, China and other leading resource developers are also paying close attention to Mongolia, threatening Japan"s hopes to take advantage of the abundant reserves in the central Asian nation, says a report in the Yomiuri Shimbun.

S. Demberel reelected

Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, /MONTSAME/ At the 18th Congress of the Mongolian National Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Mongolia /MNCCI/, its current president S.Demberel has been re-elected.

Korea Development Bank wants to cooperate with Mongolia

Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, /MONTSAME/ The Korea Development Bank (KDB) has expressed a willingness to cooperate with Mongolia in establishing a development bank of Mongolia. A delegation headed by Mr. Euoo-Sung Min, a chairman and CEO of the KDB said about the willingness during meeting with the Mongolia's Prime Minister S.Batbold held Friday. The KDB also wants to collaborate with Mongolia in developing capital and financial market, creating capital accumulation, sharing experiences in attracting investments and training experts.

Mongolia-Vietnam joint statement in defense sector

Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, /MONTSAME/ The Defense Minister of Mongolia L.Bold paid an official visit to the Social Republic of Vietnam on December 7-11, 2010 at invitation of Vietnam's Defense Minister Pheg Quang Thanh.

Is a sale next for Ivanhoe?

Ivanhoe Mines (IVN-T 25.75 0.47 1.86%) is likely to put itself on the block in a two-step process, which will first see it sell or spin off all its assets except its stake in the huge Oyu Tolgoi copper-gold mine in Mongolia, according to a source familiar with the matter.

Robert Friedland, Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Ivanhoe Mines Ltd., Updates Status of His Ownership Interest in Ivanhoe Mines

Robert M. Friedland, of Singapore, announces that on December 8, 2010, he entered into an agreement with Rio Tinto International Holdings Limited (RTIH) pursuant to which he has agreed to sell to RTIH 10,000,000 common shares (the RMF Shares) of Ivanhoe Mines Ltd. (Ivanhoe) at a per share price of US$25.35, being the simple average of the closing price of the Ivanhoe common shares on the NYSE on the 20 trading days preceding December 8, 2010. Mr. Friedland is the Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Ivanhoe.

Ivanhoe Mines likely to sell or spin off all its assets

Ivanhoe Mines is likely to put itself on the block in a two-step process, which will first see it sell or spin off all its assets except its stake in the huge Oyu Tolgoi coppergold mine in Mongolia, according to a source familiar with the matter.

Khurts's shadow over announcement of choice of London Stock Exchange

The London Stock Exchange (LSE) has been chosen to restructure and run the Mongolian Stock Exchanges (MSE) to prepare it to provide all kinds of financial services required in a growing modern economy, according to officials talking off the record. However a formal announcement may take some time to be made as the issue of Mr. B.Khurts has to be resolved first.

Local priorities to be considered in economic revival plan

Mr. Ch. Khashchuluun, Chairman of the National Development and Innovation Committee, has said the emphasis in their work plan for economic development in 2011 is on optimal use of financial resources by using local indices, the first time this will be done. Altogether 85 local development indicators have been identified, some of them in the provinces and sub-provinces of a quite complex nature. Ministries have been asked to coordinate the national plan with the regional development policy whenever and wherever necessary.

European-Standard yak cheese factory launched in Gachuurt

Ulaanbaatar will soon be treated to high quality yak cheese provided by the country’s first cheese factory set up according to European standards, Siryak Co., Ltd. Production by this joint venture between Mongolian, French and Italian entrepreneurs was formally inaugurated on December 4 at its factory located in the Shar Xolai area of Gachuurt, 35 km from the city. The company will be making mainly yak milk cheese but since yak milk supply is inadequate, it will also experiment with cow and yak milk blends.

AIDD digs record hole for Entree Gold

AIDD LLC became the first domestically domiciled drilling company in Mongolia to drill a hole in excess of 1,500 meters, when it recently completed a 1,543-meter hole on an Entrée Gold project site in the South Gobi. The work was completed without complications and in good time, offering an example of the skills and capabilities that Mongolian companies like AIDD have now achieved.

Law passed to reduce air pollution

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Ulaanbaatar’s air pollution has been talked about for many years. At last, a law on fees for air pollution has been adopted. The main concept of the law is that a person or an organization that pollutes the air will pay money and air pollution will be reduced with this money. As it is a new form of duty, it will not be effective on a broad scale and the legislation imposes fees on 6 subjects. For instance, a duty of Tg1 is imposed on each kg of coal being extracted by industries. With the accumulated money, a conservation fund will be founded.

Oyu Tolgoi agreement sets faster pace for construction

Ivanhoe and Rio have reached agreement to see the way forward for the full construction of Oyu Tolgoi including an increase in development capital. Ivanhoe Mines and Rio Tinto have reached a comprehensive agreement with series of measures to provide funding to complete the accelerated, full- cale construction of the first phase of the Oyu Tolgoi copper-gold complex in southern Mongolia, according to a statement released by Ivanhoe Mines Office of the Chairman, 8, 2010.

Mongolia: H3N2 influenza outbreak

Via Dutchy at FluTrackers: Mongolia recorded “unknown” influenza virus. Excerpt from a machine translation: New, not experts studied the flu virus, found in Mongolia. For current flu symptoms similar to the so-called “avian” and “pig” influenza viruses. The virus is classified as H3N2.

Rare earths Mongolia’s newest appeal

China controlling nearly 95% of rare earth minerals production globally and the possibility of demand exceeding supply in the short to medium term provides a strong incentive for Japanese, U.S. and European investment in Mongolian rare earth mining and the associated export infrastructure links.

Why We Might Fight, 2011 Edition

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Countries thirst for oil, compete for minerals and confront climate change. The American military, with surprising allies, worries that these issues represent a new source of conflict. 

Rio Tinto buys 10 million shares of Vancouver’s Ivanhoe mines at $25.35 per share

VANCOUVER, B.C. – Mining giant Rio Tinto (RIO) bought 10,000,000 common shares of Vancouver-based mining company Ivanhoe Mines Ltd. (IVN) from the company’s director Robert M. Friedland as the two companies start collaborating in bringing into production a colossal copper-gold mine in Mongolia with unheard of reserves of copper and gold – enough to keep the mine in business for 60 years.

Is Mongolia really a new mining frontier?

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Mention mining and Mongolia probably doesn't instantly spring to mind.