In a stunning reversal, the State Supreme Court (SSC) on Thursday overturned lower court rulings and ruled in favor of an environmental group that claims the Government is allowing mining companies to wreak environmental damage in Mongolia.

The group United Movements for Rivers and Lakes contends that the Government has refused to enforce its own policies and laws regarding mining in ecologically sensitive areas. The group has demanded that the Government should pay to repair ecological damage in the Ongi, Zavkhan, Tuul, Khangiltsag, Khuder, Ulz, Yeruu, and Gatsuurt river areas.

The Songinokhairkhan district court and Ulaanbaatar Court had earlier rejected the group’s claims. But on Thursday, the SSC overturned those rulings, saying the Government must enforce its own rules on mining, including the 55th protocol, and must enforce a law that bans mining in river and forest basins.