Ulaanbaatar Railway posted a loss
of MNT16 billion in 2010. It also transported 5.7 million tons of coal, by far
its biggest item of freight, and so it has now decided to increase the coal transportation
rate by 15%. Transporting a ton coal would now cost MNT18.

Most observers feel this increase
will not affect coal export, mainly because almost all the coal is unloaded at
the borders with China and Russia. However, many worry at the general trend of
how costs are rising. The Ministry of Mineral Resources and Energy have announced
that the prices of coal, electricity and heating will be raised in phases.