Even after the Government’s validation of the Oyutolgoi contract yesterday there are still a few question marks on whether work on it will be allowed to begin on April 6. MPs Z.Enkhbold, D.Gankhuyag, B.Bat-Erdene, Ts.Davaasuren, Z.Altai, N.Batbayar, G.Bayarsaikhan, E.Munkh-Ochir, D.Odkhuu, Sh.Saikhansambuu and D.Enkhbat are still opposed to it strictly. The Standing Committee on Security and Foreign Policy set up a working group to study the initial objections of the Professional Mineral Council to the feasibility study, and the investors’ reply to these.

A planned joint meeting of the Standing Committees on Legislation, on the Economy, and on Security and Foreign Policy to discuss the report of the working group could not be held as only MP E.Munkh-Ochir was present from the group. The working group also cannot proceed with its work as it has not received a Mongolian translation of the reply from Ivanhoe Mines Mongolia Inc.

Even though it was a joint meeting of three Standing Committees attendance was less than 20. Many of those who did come said they were not sure why the meeting had been called.