Representatives from 48 ASM member organisations in 26 soums in 15 provinces who are part of the ASM National Federation met in December to reflect on their efforts throughout 2017.
In 2017, the National Federation provided services for responsible ASM miners, welcomed new miners to the formalisation process, and consulted with them on how to operate within the legal framework. As of December, 2017, the National Federation was comprised of 71 organisations and had 6500 members.
The consultative meeting opened with addresses from National Federation Chair B. Narantsogt and SAM Project Coordinator B. Altanbagana, who said responsible mining in Mongolia was progressing well, with credit given to former “ninja” miners who had evolved into internationally certified responsible miners. They also addressed the impending close of the SAM Project, with efforts to be focused on the sustainable continuation of current operations.
The National Federation has successfully united Mongolian artisanal miners to adopt responsible ASM mining approaches and formalised them in cooperatives, partnerships and non-governmental organisations, helping them to contribute to the Mongolian economy, protecting their interests, limiting the impacts of mining, and rehabilitating mined land.
In 2017, the National Federation focused on raising awareness about the updated government regulation #151 on the “Extraction of Minerals through Artisanal Mining” and sharing ASM best practices.
The National Federation also reached out to all member organisations and arranged meetings with their rural municipalities, officials and authorities to evaluate and monitor the organisation’s current status, member participation, initiatives, contributions to local areas, and effectiveness, and ensured compliance with responsible mining approaches.
Member organisations adopted a range of new approaches to activities as presented by Khentii aimag’s “Norovlin Khamtiin Khuch” NGO leader S. Munkhsarnai. The NGO created an artisanal miners’ residential area, and developed an internal procedure to ensure responsible mining practices were upheld. They also banned smoking and drinking in the zone.
The National Federation decided to include proposals from member organisations in the 2018 plan and budget. In 2018, it will continue sustainable activities, strengthen financial and operational activities, open branch offices in aimags, and ensure cooperation between member organisations.
The conference concluded with the participants developing recommendations for mining sector collaborators.
