Saying that unwise laws
harm the mineral sector which is the mainstay of the national economy, D.Damba,
President of the Mongolian National Mining Association, has found it a matter
of regret that the mining sector in Mongolia has a history of 85 years,
but the country is yet to have a comprehensive mining law reflecting a long-term policy. “This will not do,” he has
said in The
Mongolian Mining Journal, calling for “a clear, realistic
and sustainable policy and a law that will both reflect and implement that
policy in the mineral sector”.

The present situation where, “in the absence of an
overall view” many laws are being passed that are “against the interests of the
sector, leaving miners very frustrated”, is possible “only because the state
neither has nor can give a clear sense of direction”. He singled out three
recent laws that, “individually and together, are seriously damaging
business”.  Damba feels it is “imperative
that the State formulates its policy on a priority basis, presents it to the
public to allow all concerned, especially our member companies, to review its
provisions and make practical suggestions, and then incorporate them on merit
in the final draft that will become law”.