George Lkhagvadorj Tumur, Managing Director of
Australia-based Hunnu Coal which is exploring for coal in Mongolia, has said
that despite mining being such an important sector in the Mongolian economy,
there are many who do not realize how difficult it is, in both the exploration
and excavation phases. “They think the country will get rich just by digging
deposits out of the earth, but it is not so easy,” he says, while asserting
that the expected expansion of mining in Mongolia would certainly lead to
widespread development and improve the general standard of living.

The improvement will be felt not only by people directly
involved in mining, but also by many others who provide various direct or
indirect services to them. A completely new city arose around the Erdenet
mines, and similar things will happen with Oyu Tolgoi and Tavan Tolgoi. “Nobody
in Mongolia ever dreamed of moving to Umnugobi for a new life, but that is what
thousands are going to do now,” he said.