The Deputy Chief of the Mining and Heavy Industrial
Policy Board of the Ministry of Mineral Resources and Energy, Ch.Tsogtbaatar,
talks to our journalist.

Is the law to regulate artisanal gold mining
ready?
The issue remains open as a ban on such mining will mean loss of livelihood
for a large number of people, popularly called ninjas. On two earlier occasions
some restrictive regulations were framed but these could not be enforced. More
time is needed to draft a law with a chance to succeed.

What
happened to a proposal to allot some special land for them?
A
soum may be allowed to allot not more than 10 hectares for hand mining. But
first, there has to be a clear definition of what is formally called micro mining,
and areas suitable for non-industrial mining have to be identified. It also has
to be decided how local administrations will monitor the activity of micro miners.
What will their legal status be? Will they work individually or as part of a cooperative
union? Will this union be registered? Registration as an economic entity needs at
least five members, and permission, license and seal.   

What
stage are you in with the work?
A
draft has been made and we have asked related Ministries for their opinion. We
hope to submit the final draft to the Government this month.