MP S.Byambatsogt has sent a query to Mineral Resources and Energy Minister D.Zorigt.Kh.Battulga asks the minister about Khushuut mining, which is located in Darvi and Tsetseg soums of Khovd aimag. The Chinese company Mon En Co LLC owns Khushuut mining, and local residents have for some time been asking the state to list the mine as a strategic deposit mine.
Byambatsogt, who was elected from Khovd aimag, says some MPs, including some from Khovd, oppose the listing.
That is why Byambatsogt sent the query to Minister D.Zorigt. In it he writes:
- If some MPs have asked the Ministry of Mineral Resources and Energy to not list Khushuut mining as a strategic deposit mine, the minister should publicly say so.
- Mon En Co LLC says on its website that Khushuut has 460 million tons of coal, but it has informed the Hong Kong Stock Exchange that the mine has 2.5 to 4.5 billion. What were the results of exploration at Khushuut from 2008 to 2010? The size of the deposit could be a criterion for listing the mine, and the minister should state his opinion on listing the mine.
- Can the minister explain the construction of a 36-megawatt power plant in connection with the mine? Could mining at the site end after ten years, if eight million tons of coal are annually exploited? In that case, does construction of the power plant have any economic benefit?
- A cooperation contract was made between Mon En Co LLC and Khovd aimag on April 7, 2011, but implementation has not had good results. Besides, the company has not fulfilled its tax obligations. Has the ministry monitored these matters?
- Could the ministry explain how negative environmental impacts will be mitigated and future plans for environment protection?
