Asia Pacific Policy Project – Page 15 – Extractive Industry Transparency in Mongolia

And… off to another Asia Pacific Policy Project: EITI Localization in Mongolia

Debbie Prasad, MAAPPS // Jan 12, 2015

The wait is over and the 2015 mining policy project in Mongolia has finally begun! As a part of this team, I am excited to have the opportunity to finally put the theories I have learned about policy, into practice. As a future potential policy maker, this type of project in which one gains experience in applying policymaking is invaluable.

In my opinion, in order to make successful policies, it is important for a policymaker to understand their audience. It is also important to be aware of the fact that one policy implementation in one region may not be applicable in another. The lanes and avenues of the regions of the globe are diverse, and it is important to realize what each of these lanes and avenues identify with the most. It may not necessarily be true that a mining policy that was successful in Azerbaijan, will have the same success in Mongolia. The quest is to ask, why this may be the case? I am a newcomer to the mining industry and to Mongolia, and thus I have many questions as I begin this venture. Having questions, and seeking to find answers to these questions will enable me to understand the mining industry, and more importantly, Mongolia.

My flurry of questions start with: what are some Mongolian cultural norms? What is it that Mongolians identify with the most? Like India, and the Philippines, do Mongolians also identify with idolizing Bollywood or jamming to Pinoy Music? What about their political views? What is the voter turnout in a Mongolian election? Wait- do they have elections? What are the population demographics? Is the population more urban or rural? How does the “average Joe” Mongolian feel about the mining industry in Mongolia? How deeply is an average Mongolian citizen involved in mining? So many questions, and so many answers that need to be searched for!

The most important question of all though, pertains to the weather app on my phone. Today at 9:00 am local Ulaanbataar time, the temperature was -27degrees Celsius, which begs the question…..do Mongolian homes, particularly in the province of Selenge have central heating???

Youth and the Future of Sustainable Mining in Mongolia

Garth Thomson // July 30 ,2014

As a country with a plethora of natural resources and a relatively small population to support with this endowment, Mongolia is in a unique position as it looks to the future. If the development of these resources is managed effectively, there is the potential to for them to lift the country into an era of prosperity, realizing transformative development potential rarely seen in a post-soviet state.

Photo: Christopher J. Carter

But how will these resources be managed effectively? How can Mongolia ensure that the benefits from future mining projects reach all Mongolians; moving the country forward without leaving anyone behind? One needs only a brief glance around the world to see nations with enough natural resources to provide a good life to all, but routinely squander them through mismanagement and corruption. Clearly, Mongolia is need of expertise to ensure the mistakes of other nations are not repeated. But where will the expertise to exploit the nation’s competitive advantage come from in a developing country only 20 years removed from socialism?

Photo: Christopher J. Carter

During our visit, I found a striking characteristic of the Mongolian people to be their unwavering independence. The nation has a long and proud history, and I found this pride reflected both in the attitude of everyday people I encountered, and the government’s stance on resource policy. The Mongolian government knows it needs foreign investment to develop its resources. Yet, they seem intent on setting their own course on mining policy, ignoring the exaltations of observers. Chinggis would be proud.

This independent streak threatens potential investment in Mongolia, prompting observers to characterize the action as biting the hand that feeds. In addition to scaring off foreign companies, the lack of reform can be also seen to reinforce old ways of doing business. This sentiment was reflected in conversations with expat mining professionals in country. Soviet leftovers like corruption and cronyism did not appear to be as rare as we had hoped, and color the mining industry in a negative light for Mongolians in a time of growing inequality.

Photo: Christopher J. Carter

So can Mongolia move forward into a modern mining powerhouse? If it can, it will happen internally, through its youth. Mongolia’s population is overwhelmingly young and increasingly urban. This key demographic appears to be increasingly influenced not by old friend Russia, or old enemy China, but by other industrialized countries – some with rich mining histories of their own. Several times I met young Mongolians, well educated, articulate in multiple languages, and enthusiastic about being part of Mongolia’s transformation. Many of these young people had been educated or worked throughout the developed world, and have returned home armed with skills vital to driving economic development. In addition to providing technical skills and expertise, this generation can also bring home new attitudes to old problems like governance, corruption, and wealth distribution. If these attitudes take root, they can be a transformative part of the nation’s future.

Trip Roundup and Final Materials

2014 Asia Pacific Policy Project Owrking Team with the Ambassador of Canada to Mongolia Photo: Christopher J. Carter

The 2014 Asia Pacific Policy Project Working Team with the Ambassador of Canada to Mongolia Photo: Christopher J. Carter

Alexandre Bastien // June 17 ,2014

The experience of going to Mongolia was a wonderful opportunity to understand better this complex reality. Our group has been working for months on the way to improve transparency. However, seeing Ulaan Baator with all its contrast underline the importance to promote transparency.

The city is indeed booming. The Blue Sky tower in front of the central square demonstrates this will to make the capital as modern as possible. Nevertheless, walking in the outskirt of the city illustrates the benefits’ limits of the mining exploitation. Mongolia is a huge country with a small population. Thus, we all wish that it will follow Norway’s path and be able to raise the living condition of its whole population.

The Boroo gold Mine in 150km north of the nations capital was one of the first major international and today is active participant in EITI reporting.
Photo: Christopher J. Carter

Mongolia is a complex country with different reality but still with attaching people. Its mining resource could be an important tool to turn this nation into one of the richest in Asia. However, the path to success is not clear and Mongolia will have to find it own recipe for success.

Mongolia EITI Infographic

Completed Materials as PDF Files

Presentation Slides (Mongolian Version)

Pamphlet (Mongolian Version)

The First Steppe Leads to the Next

Ian McDonald // May 23, 2014

As the class that started this project winds down, we can look back and reflect upon the progress we’ve made in our goals as the project moves to the next phase.

We started with the idea of examining the mechanisms of government transparency in the extractive industries and how it relates to human development in Mongolia. We began with a thorough examination of the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) as each member of the class performed a case study on the EITI an its operations in various countries. As the goal of the project is to provide policy recommendations to groups working in Mongolia to address the issues of corruption and improving human development, we had these parameters in mind as we performed our case studies.

As work went on with the case studies, we thought about how to address these needs specifically as they relate to Mongolia. Who better to ask than the people this work would directly influence? The class developed a survey for NGOs working in Mongolia to provide feedback, and the results were very helpful in determining the types of information we needed to extract from the case studies.

Comparing the individual studies to the EITI in Mongolia, we put the results of the survey to work and began the process of producing meaningful, actionable policy recommendations. The work is best summarized through the brochure the research team put together and of course through the information available in other posts on this blog.

Overall the first phase of the project was an instructive time during which the team progressed well toward the completion of its goals. The next phase begins later this month, with students from the program in Mongolia to give presentations as well as the creation of a documentary film. We all look forward to seeing the results of our work and have confidence that we’re helping Mongolians in their efforts to thwart corruption in government and improve human development.

Ulaanbaatar Presentation, May 26

Канад улсын Бритиш Колумбийн Их Сургууль (БКИС)-ийн Уул уурхайн инженер , Ази, номхон далайн бодлого судлалын магистрийн ангид суралцаж буй 13 оюутнууд 2014 оны хичээлийн жилийнхээ хаврын улиралд Олборлох үйлдвэрлэлийн ил тод байдлын санаачилгыг хэрэгжүүлэгч орнуудын тэр дундаа Монгол Улсын ОҮИТБС-ын жил бүрийн нэгтгэл тайланд дүн шинжилгээ хийж, судалгаа хийсэн байна.

Уг судалгааны ажлын үр дүнг танилцуулахаар БКИС-ийн Ази судлалын хүрээлэнгийн Доктор, профессор Жулиан Диркесээр ахлуулсан судлаач 7 оюутан Монгол улсад хүрэлцэн ирсэн бөгөөд танилцуулах уулзалтыг 2014 оны 5 дугаар сарын 26-ны өдөр 16:00 цагт Пума империал зочид буудлын хурлын танхимд зохион байгуулна.

Иймд дээрх сонирхолтой илтгэл, нээлттэй уулзалтад та бүхнийг урьж байна. Уулзалт Англи, Монгол хэл дээр орчуулгатай явагдана. Дэлгэрэнгүй мэдээллийг https://blogs.ubc.ca/maapps.- ээс авна уу. Оролцох эсэхээ 5 дугаар сарын 23-ны өдрийн дотор баталгаажуулна уу.

Хүндэтгэсэн,

Хөтөлбөр

Монголын ОҮИТБС-ын ажлын албаны зохицуулагч Ш.Цолмон

16:00 – 16:10 16:10 – 16:20

16:20 – 17:00 17:00 – 17:50 17:50 – 18:00

Канадын БКИС-ийн судлаач оюутнуудын Монголын ОҮИТБС-ын жил бүрийн нэгтгэл тайланд хийсэн дүн шинжилгээг танилцуулах уулзалт

2014 оны 5 дугаар сарын 26-ны өдөр, Даваа гараг

Нээлт, ОҮИТБС-ын ажлын албаны зохицуулагч Ш.Цолмон

Өмнөтгөл, БКИС-ийн Ази судлалын хүрээлэнгийн Доктор, профессор Жулиан Диркес

Судалгааны ажлын дүгнэлт, зөвлөмж, судалгааны баг Асуулт, хариулт, хэлэлцүүлэг
Хаалт