Prime Minister S.Batbold has
instructed those preparing for selection of cooperation partners in developing
the Tavantolgoi coal deposit that the final choice should exclude companies
with any possible “conflict of interests”. He explained that this referred to
companies or consortiums who already own a special license for development of
areas in Tavantolgoi.

“Mongolia”s position should be
clear. The interests of more than two million Mongols, and not just two, have
to be met,” he said, and stressed the imperative need for the selection
process “to be open and transparent, allowing citizens access to information at
every stage”. He also stressed the need to make the bidders understand that
Mongolia wants them not just to excavate the coal, but also to arrange for its
sale and, eventually, to construct a coking coal plant.