Category Archives: Mining

In Ulaanbaatar with EITI Project Graduate Students

Together with Dirk van Zyl, a colleague in UBC’s NBK Institute of Mining Engineering, I supervised an interdisciplinary group of graduate students in a project on the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) and focused especially on EITI reporting in Mongolia … Continue reading

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Solutions to the Current Economic Crisis?

Previously, I have written about economic and political aspects of the challenges currently facing Mongolia. Right now, the economic situation seems a bit like a “wicked problem” or a quagmire, and I see relatively little cause for short-term optimism, but … Continue reading

Posted in Business, Development, Economics, Foreign Investment, Governance, Inflation, JD Mining Governance, Mining, Mining, Policy, Politics | Tagged | 2 Comments

Politics During the Current Economic Crisis

There is no political crisis in the sense of any conflict within parliament or between parliament and the president. Nor are there major scandals at the moment. However, there does appear to be a crisis in the sense of the … Continue reading

Posted in Business, Development, Economics, Foreign Investment, Governance, Inflation, Mining, Mining, Oyu Tolgoi, Party Politics, Policy, Politics | Tagged | Leave a comment

Anatomy of the Current Economic Crisis

Having spent last week in Ulaanbaatar, it is clear to me that the current crisis is a) more severe than I had thought, and b) more real/less perceived than I had thought. Below, I try to list elements in this … Continue reading

Posted in Business, China, Corruption, Development, Economics, Foreign Investment, Governance, Inflation, JD Mining Governance, Mining, Oyu Tolgoi, Policy, Politics | Tagged | 3 Comments

Mongolia Buffeted by Global Winds

[For another version of  observations of the current situation in Mongolia, see my piece in the Wall Street Journal Asia on September 13. This piece has been  posted on the World Economic Forum blog as well.] For most of the … Continue reading

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Review of “Mongolia’s State Policy on the Minerals Sector (2013-2024)”

“State Policy on the Minerals Sector (2013-2024),” a document defining the policy framework for the Mongolian minerals sector in the next decade is expected to be discussed at the upcoming autumn session of the State Great Khural. President Elbegdorj decided … Continue reading

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Introducing ‘Mongolia Research Hub’ at the University of Queensland

Today, more than ever before, research and informed discussion is required to successfully negotiate Mongolia’s rapid development in the face of interrelated political, economic, social and environmental challenges. The Centre for Social Responsibility in Mining (CSRM) part of the University … Continue reading

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Bat-Erdene Election Platform

[This post was researched and co-written by Brian White at The Mongolist blog.] Bat-Erdene’s platform begins similarly to Udval’s by describing challenges facing the country. He does not go as far as Udval in labeling them as “dangers,” but the … Continue reading

Posted in Elections, Environment, Inequality, Judiciary, Mining, Mongolian People's Party, Oyu Tolgoi, Party Politics, Policy, Presidential 2013, Social Media | Tagged | 1 Comment

Major Revision of Mongolian Mining Regulations Is Underway

The first public debate on the proposed revisions of Mongolia’s mining regulations was conducted at the Citizen’s Hall of the Mongolian government on January 18, 2013. Although the revisions are long overdue, legislators appear to be in agreement that more … Continue reading

Posted in Corruption, Eurasia Daily Monitor, Governance, Law, Mining, Mining, Oyu Tolgoi, Social Movements | Tagged | 2 Comments

Foreign Investment to Mongolia: Restrictions, China, and Comparisons with Canada II

Is Mongolia’s Foreign Investment Law freezing FDI to that high-growth economy? Continue reading

Posted in Business, Canada, Corruption, Economics, Foreign Investment, Foreign Policy, Governance, International Relations, JD Mining Governance, Mining, Mongolia and ..., Oyu Tolgoi, Policy | Tagged | 1 Comment

FDI to Mongolia: Restrictions, China, and Comparisons with Canada

Are there similarities between Foreign Investment Laws in Canada and Mongolia and what lessons does the Mongolian experience hold? Continue reading

Posted in Business, Canada, Economics, Foreign Investment, Governance, International Relations, JD Mining Governance, Mining, Mongolia and ..., Oyu Tolgoi | Tagged | 7 Comments

Guest Post: Southern Gobi Water Shortage

Michelle Olson expands upon her series of articles on water issues in the South Gobi for the UB Post. Continue reading

Posted in Environment, Environment, Michelle Tolson, Mining, Oyu Tolgoi, Water | Tagged | 3 Comments

Foreign Investment Considerations in Canada Resemble Mongolian Law

Talk of a two-track investment review distinguishing state-owned from private investors in Canada mirrors provisions in May 2012 Mongolian foreign investment law. Continue reading

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Book Chapter Mongolia’s Mining Controversies and the Politics of Place

In her chapter on public discourse on mining projects, Augsburg College’s Sarah Combellick-Bidney emphasizes local political dimensions. Continue reading

Posted in Book: Change in Democratic Mongolia, Development, Economics, Mining, Mining, Oyu Tolgoi, Politics, Regulation | Tagged | 1 Comment

Book: Change in Democratic Mongolia – Social Relations, Health, Mobile Pastoralism, and Mining

A new edited volume of social science research on contemporary Mongolia. Continue reading

Posted in Book: Change in Democratic Mongolia, Canada, Civil Society, Corruption, Democracy, Development, Environment, Environment, Gender, Grassland, Health, Law, Mining, Mining, Nomadism, Oyu Tolgoi, Policy, Politics, Population, Regulation, Religion, Research on Mongolia, Social Issues, Social Movements, Society and Culture | Tagged | 3 Comments