The Government meeting on Tuesday could not discuss the Tavantolgoi issue as planned because most of the Ministers had just come back from foreign visits and pleaded lack of preparation. The ordinary people still do not know what the Government’s intentions on Tavantolgoi are. Minister for Finance S.Bayartsogt has told media two consortiums will be selected as operator companies, but who they are and how they will be selected remains uncertain.

There is, however, a feeling that the policy to support national companies is not going to be followed. Not one of the 11 in the running after the first phase of selection has even the slightest scent of Mongolia. The Government has not indicated how Mongolian companies will play a part.

The operator companies will be asked for large sums as advance payment so that the Government can fulfill its promise to give MNT1.5 million to each citizen. Since no Mongolian company which is interested in Tavantolgoi has that kind of money, they are upset that the Government and Parliament are actually blocking their chances.

The Tavantolgoi licenses which were owned by about 10 big Mongolian companies were almost literally taken away by force. Now all that Mongolian companies can hope for is to form a consortium with foreign companies.

The Government has to present the draft Tavantolgoi policy to Parliament before the Spring session is halfway through. Officials are working overtime to make this possible.