Mining conference of Bayankhongor province was held on March 20 involving special license holders of usage and exploration of minerals, artisanal miners and non-government organizations. Local administrators, the Ministry of Mining and Heavy Industry, Mineral Resources and Petroleum Authority, usage and exploration special license holders in Bayankhongor province, artisanal mining non-government organizations and miners participated in the conference as well.

“Joining fair exploration system and its contribution to the local communities” was presented by B.Batbaatar, Deputy of “XAMODX” NGO that operates on Tsakhirt in Bayan-Ovoo soum, Bayankhongor province under three-party agreement.

The local government adheres to the policy on formalization of artisanal mining and makes tree-party agreements with special license holders and artisanal mining partnerships in accordance with “Artisanal mining exploration procedures”.

Local governor G.Batjargal said “Income from the mining sector must be invested in to new factories and regular workplaces in Bayankhongor province. I would like to thank to GIZ and SAM project for supporting us organizing this conference. In 1992-2000, successful implementation of “Gold program” and “Gold-2000 program” approved by resolution No. 304 by the Government of Mongolia in 1991 played important role in overcoming the economic crisis by boosting national export and output of gold mining, and increasing state budget income and foreign currency resource. In accordance to the monthly report of the National Statistics Office on October 2015, gold output occupies 2.6% of GDP, 9.6% of mining sector output, and 9.1% of national export indicating that gold output has crucial impact on economy of Mongolia. Even though gold mining has positive impact on the economy, it brings up some challenges such as underground economy, environmental degradation, poor rehabilitation and illegal gold mining.”