On Tuesday, the Standing Committee on Economics discussed President Ts.Elbegdorj’s proposal to ban the issuing of new mining exploration licenses. The committee approved further discussion of the proposal, and some members suggested that licenses already granted should be investigated.

D.Baldan-Ochir said exploration licenses have been granted in agricultural, forest, and state protected areas, and that there should be regulations to prevent the granting of licenses in such sensitive areas.

D.Battulga, the head of the President’s Office, said the granting of exploration licenses would be regulated under the president’s proposal. He said the total area of Mongolia covered by exploration licenses would be reduced to ten percent.

He added that monitoring organizations would oversee companies that are granted exploration licenses, to ensure they comply with all laws and regulations.