In October, Minister of Mining and Heavy Industry D.Sumiyabazar issued an order to temporarily suspend the granting of new mining licenses. After that, the amendment of Law on Minerals regulating the issuing of new mining licenses, was adopted by the Mongolian Parliament on 10 November  2017 along with the 2018 State Budget Bill. Under the law, new mining licenses will be granted through tender starting this year. Prior to the amendment, mining licenses were obtained through applications and tender bids.

In accordance with the amendment, the corresponding government organisation will determine and confirm the coordinates of an area eligible for exploration and the issuing of mining licenses. In order to receive confirmation, the government organisation will forward a written proposal to the provincial Governor’s Office, which will, in turn, consult with the local Citizens’ Representative Khural, which has the ultimate right to reject the request.