The two-day “Coal Mongolia 2012” forum for international investors opened on Thursday at the SS Convention Center.

The event is being organized by the Ministry of Mineral Resources and Energy, the National Development and Renovation Committee (NDRC), and the mining sector website mining.mn.

Preliminary events were held on Tuesday and Wednesday, including seminars on coal mining techniques and technology. The seminars were sponsored by Air Liquide/Lurgi, Gemcom Software, Wirtgen International, and Caterpillar.

Mineral Resources and Energy Minister D.Zorigt opened the forum. Ambassadors from Russia, China, Canada, and the United States sent their greetings. Kathleen Morenski, deputy chief of mission at the U.S. Embassy in Ulaanbaatar, said Mongolia understands deeply that the coal market is an international issue.

More than 700 delegates are taking part in the forum, with 35 percent of them coming from abroad. They are discussing the current state of mining in Mongolia and globally, future trends, coal and energy investment opportunities, and coking coal projects.

The theme of the forum is “Coal, the Engine of Mongolia’s Fast-Growing Economy.” An exhibition featuring 62 mining companies is being held during the forum, and tours to Ukhaa Khudag mining of Energy Resource LLC and Tavantolgoi mining of Erdenes Tavantolgoi LLC will be organized on February 11.