Coal is now being produced at 36 sites in the country. Two of them are mostly state owned, 3 run by companies owned by the regional administration, and the rest are private or foreign-invested companies.

The increasing number of private entities in the coal sector has meant a boost in production and the entire domestic demand is now met locally. Coal began to be exported to China in 2003, and altogether 6.1 million tons of coal has so far been exported. This has led to an expansion of various activities, such as production, transportation, government regulation and supervision.

The Government meeting on Friday asked officials to:

• develop a general plan in the first season of 2010 to improve the operation of Gashuun Sukhait and Shivee Khuren ports to reach international norms; and to install auto x-rays, additional equipment, including surveillance cameras and illumination, and establish a laboratory and a sterilization department at both places;
• change the system of coal loading and unloading in the Tsagaan Khad area in Khanbogd, Umnugobi and introduce environmentally non-hazardous technology; and also to establish a special center for coal loading according to international standards;
• arrange by February for Gashuun Sukhait, Shivee Khuren and Khangi ports  to work for 24 hours a day, and to finalize necessary arrangements with the Chinese side;
• take related steps to make these ports operational 24 hours a day, like raising the number of customs and border protection organizations and personnel, and inform the Government within the first season of 2010 about the financial liabilities; and
• prepare a pan to build roads from Tavantolgoi deposit to Gashuun Sukhait and Khangi ports, with the costs being met by the companies exporting minerals.

The Government also decided to appoint an official in the regions to supervise the activities in the border port areas and to improve the level of cooperation between private and government organizations.