CPSI NewsWire brings you market updates on Mongolia, compiled by CPS International, a Mongolian marketing arm of CPS Securities, a Perth, Western Australia based stockbroking and corporate advisory firm, specialising in capital raising for mining and junior stocks.
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MMC: INTERIM RESULTS ANNOUNCEMENT FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED 30 JUNE 2012
August 8, Mongolian Mining Corporation (HK:975) --
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
The Group's revenue amounted to approximately USD233.0 million for the six months ended 30 June 2012, representing an increase of approximately USD96.8 million, or 71.1% as compared to USD136.2 million for the six months ended 30 June 2011.
During the period under review, the Group grew its earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization ("EBITDA") by 139.6% to approximately USD67.2 million from USD28.1 million for the same period in the previous year.
The profit attributable to equity shareholders of the Company for the six months ended 30 June 2012 was approximately USD31.0 million, representing an increase of approximately USD11.2 million, or 56.2% as compared to USD19.8 million for the six months ended 30 June 2011.
The basic earnings per share attributable to equity shareholders of the Company amounted to approximately USD0.84 cents for the six months ended 30 June 2012, as compared to USD0.54 cents for the six months ended 30 June 2011.
In view of the major production and infrastructure development projects committed or being planned by the Company, the Board decided not to pay any dividend for the six months ended 30 June 2012 (dividend for the six months ended 30 June 2011: nil).
…
Kincora Copper Intersects Significant High Grade Copper at Bronze Fox and Gold at Tourmaline Hills
VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwire - Aug. 7, 2012) - Kincora Copper Limited (TSX VENTURE:KCC) ("Kincora") is pleased to announce partial assay results from Hole BF62 located in the West Kasulu zone at Bronze Fox:
The discovery is located at the centre of Kincora's group of exploration licenses and at the west border of Kincora's license 15000X. License 15000X is located in the southwest of Mongolia, 140km to the northeast of Oyu Tolgoi and sits in the same metallogenic belt. Partial drill core from hole BF62 has intersected a 180 metre interval with continuous copper mineralization.
· The average copper grade across 180m is 0.5% Cu and 0.1g/t Au with associated Mo mineralization up to 0.33%;
o including 37m averaging 0.829% Cu, 0.14g/t Au, and 0.04% Mo between 573m to 610m or 1.11% CuEq. This includes 13m between 595m and 608m averaging 1.14% Cu, 0.17g/tAu and 694 ppm Mo equating to a CuEq of 1.57%.
The mineralization begins from the surface and remains open at depth. Further core cutting and sampling is ongoing with the hole continuing below 1,000m.
These results confirm the potential for a deep high grade porphyry style copper deposit and increase management's confidence that the exploration program could be reaching the edge of a large high grade copper and gold resource. Further drilling will test the extent of the mineralisation and will track the halo east and west which runs for 2km.
Commenting on today's announcement, John Rickus, President and CEO of Kincora, said: "These exciting results confirm that higher grade zones exist within this exceptionally large system. For the remainder of the year our team will continue to explore a number of high priority targets to establish the extent of the copper and gold mineralisation on the Bronze Fox properties."
Between April and July 2012, 7,168m of diamond core drilling was completed. Partial cores containing 2,219 samples were sent to laboratories for assaying with 2,184 results now received.
· In West Kasulu, F50 drilled to 319.5m with the entire hole intersecting lower grade copper mineralization. The hole collapsed in an argillic zone and could not penetrate further.
· Hole F57 in West Kasulu drilled to 517m with all of the hole intersecting copper mineralization;
o including 151m averaging 0.25% Cu from 217m to 368m with up to 1.16% Cu and 64m of 0.297% Cu from 217m to 281m with up to 1.67% Cu.
Partial assays have been returned for Tourmaline Hills, one of the licenses acquired from Forbes and Manhattan through an exchange of shares in April 2012.
· Hole F61 intersected 1m of 2.74g/t Au between 39m to 40m and 5m averaging 2.65g/t Au between 60m to 65m;
o including 3m of 3.45g/t to 4.70g/t.
· Hole F51 intersected 6m averaging 0.67g/t Au between 39m and 45m with up to 1.18g/t Au and 1m of 0.8g/t Au at 154m.
· Hole F59 intersected 14m at an average of 0.39g/t Au from 273 to 287m with up to 1.49g/t Au.
· Further core cutting and sampling is ongoing.
To view the images associated with this press release, click on the following link: http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/k87m1.pdf
Prophecy Coal debuts power division to focus on power sector in Mongolia
August 7 (Proactive Investors) Prophecy Coal Corp. (CVE:PCY) Tuesday unveiled its power division named Prophecy Power, a unit to focus on the power sector in Mongolia.
Prophecy Power, formerly known as East Energy Corp., was incorporated in 2010 to supply power to Mongolia all the way through the construction of the Chandgana thermal power plant.
Prophecy Coal's Chandgana will similarly develop the Chandgana coal project to secure fuel supply to Prophecy Power, it said. The proposed 600 megawatt power plant will be built next to Prophecy Coal's Chandgana coal deposit located in Central Mongolia.
The project will be implemented in two phases. Phase 1 will see two 150 megawatt and transmission lines built next year and completed by 2016. Phase 2 construction will see two 150 megawatts being built in 2014 and finished by 2017.
The unit acquired approval of its environmental impact assessment from the Ministry of Nature and Tourism in November 2010.
One year later, the Ministry of Natural Resources granted a construction license for the power plant.
Since obtaining the license, the company has been in on-going talks with the Mongolian government to finalize power purchase agreements to secure the country's long-term energy supply.
Meanwhile, Prophecy Power has been in talks with several private Mongolian companies regarding bi-lateral power purchase contracts.
The proposed mining projects – which include copper, molybdenum and iron ore, will collectively need 200 megawatts of power by 2016, excluding the Oyu Tolgoi project.
Its remaining power supply from the Chandgana power plant is expected to help meet energy demand created by on-going expansion of Eastern and Northern Mongolia, and replace Russian power imports.
Chandgana, another unit of Prophecy Coal, will supply three million tonnes of coal a year to Prophecy Power for 25 years.
In the measured and indicated categories, Chandgana controls over 1.4 billion tonnes of thermal coal including a starter pit with 140 million tonnes of measured resource.
Upon the acquisition of the Tethys Mining claims with a historic resource estimate of 2.3 billion tonnes, Chandgana will control one of largest coal basins in the world, with ample supply for a power plant of 4,200 megawatts or bigger.
Prophecy paid $10 million upfront and an 8.5 per cent royalty on future coal sales from both Chandgana and Tugalgatai licenses. The deal is slated to close in the third quarter.
Petro Matad bolsters future work with new exploration manager
August 7 (Proactive Investors) Mongolia focused oil firm Petro Matad (LON:MATD) has bolstered its planned work programmes by hiring an experienced exploration manager.
Dr Ridvan Karpuz has 23 years' work experience and a proven track record of significant oil discoveries, it announced today.
His appointment is with immediate effect.
Karpuz's E&P experience has been in remote and logistically demanding locations and in globally significant hydrocarbon provinces such as the Middle East, North Sea, Barents Sea, Norwegian Sea, North Atlantic, and North Africa, it added.
Most recently, he has been at Austrian listed company OMV where he has spent the last four years working in Iran, Yemen and more recently Tunisia.
Petro Matad's chief executive, Douglas McGay, said the appointment was a "further milestone in the company's renewal programme".
"His proven leadership record in commercial oil exploration and commitment to residency in Mongolia will enhance our exploration programmes," McGay told investors.
At the end of June, the company said it was to review its exploration assets in Mongolia and assess a technical path forward possibly through partnerships.
The company, which recently installed a new management team, added it plans to revisit the data from last year's troubled drilling campaign at Davsan Tolgoi to lower the risks for a drilling campaign planned for 2013.
While this study work is going on, drilling has been suspended for the remainder of 2012 and drilling and workover rigs have been stood down.
Aspire Non-Exec Director Lithgow Buys 850K Shares on Market at 11.07c/share on average
August 7 (Mogi) Aspire Mining Limited (ASX:AKM) Non-Executive Director Neil Lithgow notified the company and exchange that he acquired through 2, 4, and 6 August 850,000 AKM shares worth A$94,067.74, making the average purchase price at 11.07c.
Voyager: COMPLETION OF ALLOTMENT OF SHORTFALL OPTIONS
August 8, Voyager Resources Limited (ASX:VOR) --
Further to Voyager Resources Limited's ASX announcement dated 25 July 2012, the Company advises that it has now completed the allotment and issue of the shortfall options pursuant to the non-renounceable entitlements issue to shareholders offered under a Prospectus dated 21 June 2012.
The issued capital of the Company following the allotment is as follows.
Quoted: | ASX Code | Number |
Ordinary fully paid shares | VOR | 1,339,121,562 |
Options expiring 30 June 2015 exercisable at $0.06 | VOROA | 102,510,539 |
Options expiring 31 December 2014 exercisable at $0.03 | VORO | 446,373,854 |
Unquoted: | ||
Options expiring 31 December 2012 exercisable at $0.15 | - | 110,000,000 |
Options expiring 31 December 2014 exercisable at $0.30 | - | 110,000,000 |
Turquoise Hill Resources New Trading Symbol "TRQ"to be Effective From August 8, 2012
VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwire - Aug. 7, 2012) - Turquoise Hill Resources (TSX:IVN)(NYSE:IVN)(NASDAQ:IVN) today announced that the company's new trading symbol "TRQ" will become effective at the opening of trading on the Toronto Stock Exchange, the New York Stock Exchange and the NASDAQ Stock Market on August 8, 2012. The new trading symbol is the result of the company's new name, which went into effect on August 2, 2012.
The change to Turquoise Hill Resources and the new trading symbol will not affect existing Ivanhoe Mines stock certificates. Shareholders are not required to submit their current certificate for new Turquoise Hill Resources stock certificates.
Mongolia Investment to acquire Sinbo Investment, to consolidate shares on 5-to-1 basis
August 8 (ET Net) Mongolia Investment (00402) said it agreed to acquire the entire issued shares of Sinbo Investment at HK$1.5 billion.
Sinbo Investment wholly owns Beijing Peace Map Information and Peace Map HK. The principal business of Peace Map includes aerial photography, aviation and aerospace remote sensing image data processing, provision of geographic information system software and solutions.
In addition, the company proposes that every five shares of HK$0.05 each in the issued and unissued share capital be consolidated into one consolidated share of HK$0.25 each in the issued and unissued share capital. The company also proposes to change the board lot size from 2,000 shares to 10,000 consolidated shares following the share consolidation becoming effective. (HL)
NVMN: Third-Party Estimate States Lithium Reserves on Mongolian Mining Properties Under Contract Could be in Excess of $12 Billion
SAN ANTONIO, August 7--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nova Mining Corp. (OTCBB: NVMN) is pleased to announce that the Company has received a third-party estimate of the commercially recoverable lithium deposits located on the Bayankhongor mining property in excess of $12 Billion USD at current market prices.
The Bayankhongor property is one of three major lithium fields owned by Mongolian National Mining Consultants Limited (MNMC). Nova Mining is in the final stages of negotiating a definitive Mineral Purchase Agreement to purchase 100% of the lithium produced by MNMC at a substantial discount to market price.
Mongolian National Mining Consultants Limited is a Hong Kong company, with its principal business operations in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. MNMC is the registered owner of multiple mining properties that are located in Mongolia.
"As part of our Due Diligence on the MNMC properties our research team was able to locate and review highly-detailed mineral surveys prepared for the Mongolian government by the Soviet Union in the 1980's," stated James Dilger, President of Nova Mining Corp. "Access to these Soviet era surveys provide a solid base for estimating mineral reserves and will be an invaluable tool to guide our continuing efforts to locate and acquire additional mineral reserves."
Nova Mining Corp. (NVMN) seeks out the most potentially lucrative mining projects, supplies and sales of strategic high-demand minerals, such as lithium, as part of its aggressive economic business model. Lithium is the main ingredient in long life batteries, like those used in Apple's (NASDAQ: APPL) popular iPhones and iPads, Google's (NASDAQ: GOOG) new Nexus 7 tablet and Tesla Motor's (NASDAQ: TSLA) new performance electric cars.
About Nova Mining Corp. (OTCBB: NVMN)
Nova Mining Corporation is a Nevada corporation listed on the OTCBB under the trading symbol NVMN. The Company is a growth-focused entity that seeks to acquire an international portfolio of strategic high-demand mineral mining assets.
More information on Nova Mining Corp can be seen at: http://www.nova-mining.com
MONGOLIAN CAPITAL MARKETS WORKING GROUP MEETING WAS HELD YESTERDAY
August 7 (MSE) Yesterday, August 06 2012 Mongolian Capital Markets Working Group meeting took place at the Mongolian Stock Exchange.
The Capital Markets Working Group includes representatives of Mongolian Stock Exchange, Financial Regulatory Commission, Mongolian Securities Clearing House and Central Depository, Bank of Mongolia, Clearing Banks, the brokerage firms that are compliance with new regulations and Mongolian Association of Securities Dealers.
Working Group members discussed the objectives, structure, mechanics, roles and responsibilities of the working group, recent market developments and other businesses related to the new trading system and agreed to create sub working groups to address the current market issues on timely manner.
BoM issues ₮30 billion 12-week 17.01% bills
August 6 (Bank of Mongolia) BoM issues 12 week bills worth MNT 30 billion at a weighted interest rate of 17.01 percent per annum. /For previous auctions click here/
BoM Auctions $30.85 Million at ₮1,355.5, ¥60 Million at ₮212.9
August 7 (Bank of Mongolia) During the forex auction, the BoM sells USD 30.825 million at closing rate of 1355.50 and CNY 60 million at closing rate of 212.90.
A Master Plan of "Sainshand" Introduced
August 7 (news.mn) The parliament of Mongolia approved a master plan of Sainshand Industrial complex in June of 2011.
On August 3, the National Development and Innovation Committee have introduced a master plan of Sainshand Industrial complex. The "Bechtel" company of USA as choosen as advisor company to the project. The "Bechtel" company finished a plan of development of Sainshand complex and the plan was approved by Government of Mongolia on June 25, 2012.
The Sainshand will be center of Mongolian industrial development and has location priority to the infrastructure said in plan.
The plan considering to establish coke-chemical and cement and copper melt factory in Sainshand.
A STREET IN SAINSHAND CITY OF DORNOGOVI AIMAG NAMED AFTER SHIZUOKA PREFECTURE
August 7 (InfoMongolia) Already a year passed since Dornogovi aimag has established collaborative sponsorship relations with Shizuoka Prefecture of Japan.
Coinciding with the one year anniversary, representatives of Shizuoka Prefecture comprising over hundred people have been visiting Dornogovi aimag from July 28 till August 02, 2012. On the occasion of the anniversary a street in Sainshand city of the aimag has been named after the Shizuoka Prefecture.
"In the center of Sainshand city of Dornogovi aimag we have established a Shizuoka street with a length of 200 meters. Soon schools and housing blocks will be built along the street side. Hence, we believe that the street will be a name card of the city's up-building. Although Dornogovi aimag is to collaborate with Russia, China and South Korea, but as a result of what we have done, we noticed that they were happy to collaborate with our prefecture they deem our partnership would encourage their willing of development", said the leader of the representation team Kazuo Ogusa at the press conference held at the Shizuoka Prefecture Governing Office.
The representative team also noted that they were keeping a Mongolian Ger that was presented by the Dornogovi aimag people at the Shizuoka airport and said they would use it during celebration and ceremonies whenever it is needed. In November of this year, a staff of 4 medical experts from the aimag will head to Japan to study at the specialized trainings.
In 2011, the Governor of Shizuoka Prefecture H.Kawakatsu visited Dornogovi aimag, where the first collaboration agreement was settled between the two parts for further cooperation development.
Jailed Mongolian ex-president's party still considering joining government
ULAN BATOR, Aug. 7 (Xinhua) -- The Mongolian People's Revolutionary Party (MPRP), whose founder was controversially sentenced to jail last week, remains open to joining his main adversary's party in government.
The Justice Coalition, comprising the MPRP and Mongolian National Democratic Party, said in a statement Tuesday it was a responsible political force and fully understood its duty to set social justice and enhance good governance.
The Justice Coalition, which won 11 of 76 parliamentary seats in June, would work closely with other political forces to form a government, it said.
After MPRP founder, chairman and former Mongolian president Nambar Enkhbayar was sentenced to four years' jail on corruption charges, local media speculated the Justice Coalition might re-consider its pledge to form a coalition government with current President Tsakhia Elbegdorj's Democratic Party of Mongolia.
Enkhbayar accused state prosecutors of twisting facts during his trial and said the case was politically driven. His supporters say he was framed by Elbegdorj for political reasons.
Enkhbayar was arrested in April on charges of illegally privatizating a hotel and a publishing house and using television equipment donated to a Buddhist organization to establish his own television station, TV9.
In addition to the jail term, the court also ordered the confiscation of 25 million tugrik (18,660 U.S. dollars) worth of property from Enkhbayar, who served as prime minister and then president for almost a decade until narrowly losing to Elbegdorj in the 2009 presidential election.
Enkhbayar formed the MPRP last year, splitting from the former ruling Mongolian People's Party.
Mogi: Step forward for me but what would you expect from journalists who never bother to come here and spew such BS from the comfort of his office
A Step Back For Mongolia
August 7 (The Diplomat) The Mongolian courts have sentenced former President Nambaryn Enkhbayar to seven years in jail – commuted to three years (Mogi: commuted to FOUR years actually) - stemming from political corruption during his tenure as leader from 2005-2009. Enkhbayar also served as Mongolia's Prime Minister from 2000-2004. The scandal has destabilized Mongolia's international reputation at a time when the Central Asian country is looking to court foreign investors to its burgeoning economy. (Mogi: I say this actually strengthens it, makes a statement about how serious we are about corruption, no one is immune, not even ex-presidents)
Mongolia has spent the last few years championing itself as a bastion of democracy in a region littered with corrupt autocrats. Mongolia also chairs the Community of Democracies, a global intergovernmental coalition of democratic countries promoting common rules, institutions, and norms. During its presidency, Ulan Bator has taken the opportunity to counsel other states in Central Asia, such as Kyrgyzstan, in about making the transition to accountable and transparent governance. Unfortunately, the Enkhbayar fiasco has eroded Mongolia's mentor role in the region and has created a credibility deficit. (Mogi: I believe it actually shows other emerging democracies how it's done)
In the past few years, Mongolia has also been treated like a "golden child" by the Obama administration, with high level visits from senior officials like Vice President Joe Biden in 2011 and Secretary of State Hilary Clinton last month. Clinton lavished Ulan Bator with praise indicating that Mongolia's democratic institutions helped to "dispel the myth that democracy is a Western value." Clinton's visit underscored American efforts to shore up its engagement with Mongolia for both economic and strategic reasons. With regards to the former, U.S.-based energy conglomerate Peabody Energy is a key player in the bidding for the development of Tavan Tolgoi – an area that is believed to hold the second largest coal deposits in the world. Washington has also invested capital into its strategic relationship with Mongolia through the annual Khaan Quest exercises and the promotion of Ulan Bator as an official NATO partner.
Mongolia's international partners will likely keep a close eye on the aftermath of Enkhbayar's conviction. There is a political drama brewing in Ulan Bator. The political party Enkhbayar founded, the Mongolian People's Revolutionary Party (MPRP), is a small but integral part of the current governing coalition led by President Tsakhia Elbegdorj. (Mogi: Mongolia is a parliamentary democracy, the president is not the executive branch, and by law, not a member of any party, hence doesn't head a party) Some MPRP officials have accused Elbegdorj of a political witch-hunt and threatened to bring down the coalition if Enkhbayar was convicted. (Mogi: actually, despite condemning the verdict, MPRP reiterated its intention to form a coalition government) The political landscape in Mongolia will be interesting to watch over the coming months.
E. Bat-Uul Approved as Mayor of Ulaanbaatar City
August 7 (Business-Mongolia.com) Today, Prime Minister S.Batbold approved Erdene Bat-Uul as Mayor of Ulaanbaatar city.
Ulaanbaatar City Assembly's irregular meeting took place yesterday and decided to nominate E.Bat-Uul as the new Mayor of Ulaanbaatar city.
Erdene Bat-Uul was born July 1, 1957 in Ulaanbaatar, one of leader Democratic movement in 1990.
In 1988, Bat-Uul formed a political group, which in December 1989 would become the first to articulate dissent against the ruling Mongolian People's Revolutionary Party. Bat-Uul was one of the leaders of Mongolia's 1990 democratic revolution. He served as chairman of the Democratic Party from 1990 to 1992, and as the party's general secretary from 1992 to 1996. He was elected into the Parliament (People's Great Khural) in 1990, and in 1996, 2004 and 2008. He was awarded with the title of Hero of Mongolia for his role in the 1990 democratic revolution on December 10, 2009
STANDING COMMITTEES OF PARLIAMENT HAVE BEEN FORMED
August 7 (InfoMongolia) The plenary session meeting of the 6th State Great Khural (Parliament) of Mongolia took place today in the morning on August 07, where the Standing Committees have been formed accordingly.
The session meeting was held under the absence of Mongolian People's Party (MPP) members. The Speaker Z.Enkhbold informed that the opposition party, MPP had not delivered yet its names for the Standing Committees' members. Previously it has been submitted that a Committee would be comprised of 10-19 members, but within this meeting it has been resolved to be 14-16 members in each Committee.
Standing Committees of the Parliament of Mongolia are as following:
- Security and Foreign Policy Standing Committee,
- Environment, Food and Agricultural Standing Committee,
- Social Policy, Education, Culture and Science's Standing Committee,
- Petitionary's Standing Committee,
- State Budget Standing Committee,
- State Structure's Standing Committee,
- Legal Standing Committee,
- Economic Standing Committee.
The session meeting will be continued in the afternoon. The Speaker Z.Enkhbold laid duties upon the members of the Parliament to submit their names for the Chairmen of the Committees accordingly at the afternoon meeting.
MAJORITY LEADER D.ERDENEBAT CONFIDENT PARLIAMENT WORK WILL NOT INTERRUPTED
August 7 (InfoMongolia) The Parliament plenary session meeting took place on August 07, where the Standing Committees have been formed and some members have been appointed accordingly.
After the meeting the Chairman of the Democratic Party (DP) grouping in the Parliament D.Erdenebat answered reporters' questions on current political situation of Mongolia.
Shall we consider that from now on the Parliamentary operations won't be interrupted at any circumstances?
- Today, the State Great Khural (Parliament) formed its Standing Committees and approved their members. Recent political instabilities had surely affected the Parliament procedures. We have collaborated with "Justice" Coalition on forming the Coalition Government. The "Justice" Coalition also has expressed their interest in collaborating with DP for the sake of fundamental interest of Mongolia, continuous operations of the State and for implementing the policies and action plans of the joint Government within the agreement frames. Therefore, I have no doubt that the Parliament procedures won't be interrupted further.
Will there any intentions that "Justice" Coalition will draw back from the joint Government in connection with the sentencing of the MPRP leader N.Enkhbayar?
- Lately "Justice" Coalition (MPRP-MNDP) was intensively expressing their stands on the imprisonment of the former President N.Enkhbayar. DP is holding a position that the Parliament is a legislature body, whereas the court is a form of tribunal with the authority to adjudicate legal disputes between parties and carry out the administration of justice in civil, criminal, and administrative matters in accordance within the law. We shall strictly abide by the Constitution of Mongolia that neither political parties nor public organizations shall be involved in court decision making and its operations. But Mongolia shall not repeat its dark history of political repression. "Justice" Coalition had delivered a statement to collaborate with us.
Has DP reached negotiations with MPP?
- I must say that DP is seeking different ways to negotiate with MPP. Thus, DP is standing strong on that there shall be no demands and impositions; consensus shall be established in accordance with laws and legislations of Mongolia. Both concerning sides must seek for right solutions. As far as we see it right, the Parliament operations shouldn't be intervened or interrupted. As DP has claimed the majority seats in the Parliament, it appointed the Speaker within the legal frames. Therefore, MPP members have to attend the session meeting, which is a matter of a principle. Mutual acceptance and understanding is needed in solving the matter of the Uvurkhangai aimag's election results. This issue is not an imposition. This must be solved according to the mutual understanding and through the civil and administrative court. MPP also on the position that they are mistrusting the accuracy of the ballot counting devices, thus we may organize some sort of voting not affiliated with elections and check if the results are reliable or not. Other ways there shall be no issues of reorganizing the elections by any means.
Research Report: Mongolia - Telecoms, Mobile and Internet
July 25 (Companies and Markets) Since the Mongolian Government's telecommunications reform program in the mid-1990s, there has been effective liberalisation of all market segments, partial privatisation of the fixed-line incumbent operator, Mongolia Telecom, and establishment of an independent regulator. Mongolia acceded to the WTO in 1997.
Competition is in place for both fixed and mobile telephony including local, long-distance and international, internet, VoIP and VSATs. The internet market is a small but growing sector. Government initiatives such as the e-Mongolia National Program are helping to spread internet awareness and usage throughout the country.
The fixed-line network is declining rapidly while the mobile phone market has undergone a remarkable boom. The national policy has been to have a competitive telecommunications segment with two CDMA and two GSM mobile telephone service operators. Accordingly, two additional mobile licences were awarded in 2005/06 to Unitel (GSM) and rural mobile operator G-Mobile (CDMA).
As part of the transition to a market-based economy, Mongolia committed itself to modernising its telecommunications network and steadily introducing advanced communications services. The government considers national infrastructure development as a high priority and, in particular, it has focused on the development of the telecoms sector, seeing it as central to the overall development of the country, the improvement of living standards, increasing foreign investment, boosting tourism and private sector development, and implementation of innovative changes.
Market highlights:
Not all areas of Mongolia are connected to the internet. However, good progress has been made, with most universities and research institutes, government organisations, agencies, banks, and companies in Ulaanbaatar being online. Market penetration continues to remain strong in the urban centres, although the rural sector is catching up.
The number of e-commerce services such as e-banking, online shopping, and e-services has risen in Mongolia. This is partly attributed to a government initiative established in 2005 called the One Home One PC program providing low-cost computers for around US$250.
Broadband subscriptions are increasing and account for over 50% of internet subscriptions. Fibre to the Building deployments have also connected major buildings, hotels, schools, and government houses.
Since the launch of the two new mobile operators, subscribers have increased with uptake in rural areas. This has impacted on fixed-line subscriptions and put the national operator Telecom Mongolia under pressure.
MobiCom launched the country's first 3G WCDMA mobile network in the country.
Mongolia is a small country with predominantly basic telecommunications services. The report covers trends and developments in telecommunications, mobile, internet and broadband. Subjects include:
Market and industry analyses, trends and developments;
Facts, figures and statistics;
Industry and regulatory issues;
Infrastructure;
Major players, subscribers;
Internet;
Mobile voice and data markets;
Broadband (FttH, DSL, cable TV).
Montsame seeks closer ties with VNA
HA NOI, August 8 (Vietnam News Agency) – Vietnam News Agency (VNA) general director Nguyen Duc Loi met with the director general of Mongolia's Montsame News Agency, Sukhbaatar Altantsetseg, yesterday.
Altantsetseg is on her first visit to Viet Nam in her capacity as Montsame Director General. At the meeting, the two leaders expressed their pleasure at bilateral co-operative activities such as the exchange of information and journalists.
Such a good relationship has helped bring news and information about the two countries to their people more rapidly and accurately, they said.
Both parties touched upon possibilities to expand the exchange of photos and television news coverage in the near future, in the context that multi-media is the inevitable.
On the same day, Altantsetseg was received by Standing Vice President of the Viet Nam Journalists Association (VJA) Ha Minh Hue.
Hue introduced his guest to the development of the Vietnamese press. He expressed his wish to expand co-operation with the Mongolian Journalists Association in the time to come.
Altantsetseg said she was committed to work as a bridge between the two associations so that they could implement co-operative activities in a timely way.
Famous professors to deliver lecture in Mongolia at the invitation of the President
August 8 (news.mn) At the invitation of the President Elbegdorj world's leading theorists of democracy will soon arrive in Mongolia. They are intended to deliver a lecture at the Great Hall of the Government Palace on the topics of "Development Models After the Global Financial Crisis", "The Quality of Democracy and Survival of Democracy" and hold a discussion with Mongolians.
The Office of the President planned to invite more than thousand people including ordinary citizens, scientists, public servants, politicians, entrepreneurs and those who interested in this lecture which is scheduled to start at 10:00 am on August 13, 2012.
The political scientists that will come to give a lecture are the famous Senior Fellows and the professors of the Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies at Stanford University, California. One of the most famous political scientists Francis Fukuyama, leading contemporary scholar in the field of democracy studies Larry Diamond and one of the most influential political analyst, best known for his studies on state sovereignty and international relations Stephen Krasner.
Professor Francis Fukuyama
Francis Fukuyama is Olivier Nomellini Senior Fellow at the Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies (FSI), resident in FSI"s Center on Democracy, Development, and the Rule of Law, effective July 2010. He comes to Stanford from the Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) of Johns Hopkins University, where he was the Bernard L. Schwartz Professor of International Political Economy and director of SAIS" International Development program.
Dr. Fukuyama has written widely on issues relating to democratization and international political economy. His book, "The End of History and the Last Man", was published by Free Press in 1992 and has appeared in over twenty foreign editions. His most recent book, The Origins of Political Order, was published in April 2011. Other books include America at the Crossroads: Democracy, Power, and the Neoconservative Legacy, and Falling Behind: Explaining the Development Gap between Latin America and the United States.
Professor Larry Diamond
Over the past three decades the world has been transformed. In 1974, nearly three-quarters of all countries were dictatorships; today, more than half are democracies. Yet recent efforts to promote democracy have stumbled, and many democratic governments are faltering. Why?
Larry Diamond helps us understand why and how democracy actually progresses in his new book The Spirit of Democracy: The Struggle to Build Free Societies Throughout the World. The desire for democracy runs deep, he shows, even in very poor countries and in the turbulent Middle East. And through expanding economic freedom, civic mobilization, and the development of "liberation technology," even seemingly entrenched regimes like those in Iran and China could well become democracies within a generation.
Diamond also dissects the causes of the recent "democratic recession" in critical parts of the world, including Russia, Venezuela, Nigeria, and Pakistan. He traces many failed and failing democracies to bad governance, which disillusions publics and paves the way for authoritarian options. Corruption and misrule are in turn fostered by weak institutions and the flows of external rents, whether in the form of oil revenues or unconditional foreign aid to bad governments. Stabilizing democracy, he argues, must involve a broad campaign to strengthen institutions of political and financial accountability.
Professor Stephen Krasner
Stephen Krasner is the Graham H. Stuart Professor of International Studies, the Senior Associate Dean for the Social Sciences, School of Humanities & Sciences, and the deputy director of FSI. A former director of CDDRL, Krasner is also an FSI senior fellow, and a fellow of the Hoover Institution.
From February 2005 to April 2007 he served as the Director of Policy Planning at the US State Department. While at the State Department, Krasner was a driving force behind foreign assistance reform designed to more effectively target American foreign aid. He was also involved in activities related to the promotion of good governance and democratic institutions around the world.
At CDDRL, Krasner was the coordinator of the Program on Sovereignty. His work has dealt primarily with sovereignty, American foreign policy, and the political determinants of international economic relations. Before coming to Stanford in 1981 he taught at Harvard University and UCLA. At Stanford, he was chair of the political science department from 1984 to 1991, and he served as the editor of International Organization from 1986 to 1992.
Misc
Mongolian Olympic Medalists Receive Cash Prizes
ULAANBAATAR, Mongolia, Aug 7 (Bernama) -- Mongolian judoists, who were medal winners in London Olympic Games, have been awarded cash prizes upon returning from the Games, reports Mongolia's Montsame news agency.
State-honoured sportsman N.Tuvshinbayar and international master of sports S.Nyam-Ochir were welcomed on Monday by their families, Mongolia's Judo Federation, media and fans.
Tuvshinbayar, the London silver medalist, received 60 million in Mongolian currency (MNT)(RM139,244). He was a gold medalist in the Beijing Olympic in 2008.
London Games bronze medalist Nyam-Ochir received MNT30 million (RM69,762) while Mongolian coach D. Battulga received MNT 45 million (RM104,644). All cash prizes were awarded on Monday.
QUESTIONNAIRE ON TYRANNOSAURUS BATAAR DELIVERED TO MINISTER OF JUSTICE
August 7 (InfoMongolia) Member of the Parliament Ts.Oyungerel delivered a questionnaire on "Tyrannosaurus Bataar" to the Minister for Justice and Home Affairs of Mongolia Ts.Nyamdorj on August 06, 2012. On her questionnaire Ts.Oyungerel briefly mentioned about what had happened.
"Upon the request placed by the President of Mongolia Ts.Elbegdorj, the USA authorities had intervened the auctions for the fossilized skeleton of Tyrannosaurus Bataar that had been proven of Mongolian origins. The skeleton had been a subject of May 20, 2012 auction by Heritage Auctions in New York City. The whole auctioning process was seriously breaching Mongolian legislations on cultural heritage and criminal code of Mongolia. The US citizen Eric Prokopi was believed that he imported the skeleton of Tarbosaurus Bataar from England as 'skeleton of lizard'. Lawyer Robert Painter mentioned that Eric Prokopi had previously been involved in smuggling case", says Ts.Oyungerel before handing her questionnaire. According to customs documents, the fossils were shipped to Eric Prokopi in 2010 from Chris Moore of Forge Fossils in England. Chris Moore would had split the proceeds of the sale with Eric Prokopi, according to a consignment contract with Heritage Auctions.
In the questionnaire:
One, if Mongolia started any joint investigation procedures in determining the suspected of the case in cooperation with legal organization officials of Japan which is believed where the first sale took place and with the UK officials where the fossils have been temporarily kept before being shipped to the USA, what kind of measures are being taken in partnership with complied organizations of above countries;
Two, have to find when, how and on what purpose the US citizen Eric Prokopi and the citizen the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland Chris Moore who were accused of smuggling the fossils had entered into Mongolia, if entered how many times and how long they had stayed in Mongolia;
Three, need to give a clearance on whether investigation on how the skeleton made its way from Mongolia's Gobi desert to a US Auction House had started or not, if investigations had started need to inform about the procedures and progress of it;
Four, need to provide with a precise information on what kind of measures shall Mongolia take in order to intervene such international crimes, on works and actions planned to be carried out more specifically works to be done within the frames of reforming the legislations.
Afterwards, Parliament member Ts.Oyungerel asked for the Minister for Justice and Home Affairs Ts.Nyamdorj to deliver written answers to above questions within 14 days under the Article 33 of the Parliament Law and to read the answers at the meeting of the Standing Committee on Legal Affairs.
The Plight of Mongolia's Reindeer Herding People
August 7 (Environmental Graffiti) --
Reindeer are milked twice a day by women of the tribe. The yogurt-like milk is four to five times more fatty than cow's milk.
The mountainous boreal forests of the taiga are harsh, wild, and achingly beautiful. Although not as well known as the either the Gobi Desert or the grassy steppe of Mongolia, the taiga nevertheless represents the world's largest biome.
Beginning where the frozen tundra ends, the taiga's dark, coniferous woodlands stretch almost continuously from Eurasia across to sub-arctic North America. It is an important place because of its tremendous environmental value and as the home of the indigenous Dukha people and their reindeer herds – yet it is currently under threat.
Fall camps, like this one, are typically found on the edge of forests and provide protection from the elements.
This is not an easy place in which to live. Mostly, it is cold: the average temperature is below 32°F (0°C) and can drop all the way to a bone-chilling -65°F (-53°C). However, in the summer months the heat can shoot all the way up to 70°F (21°C), a massive variation from the usual chill. Yet, for the forests of the taiga and its flora and fauna, these are the perfect conditions for life.
The woman pictured, Chechek (Flower), was host to the photographer and is a shaman of the taiga.
For over 3,000 years, the Dukha people (also known as the Tsaatan) have lived here, adapting their nomadic lifestyle to the extreme weather and landscape of the taiga. During this time they have become bound to their reindeer herds, which provide them with everything from meat, hides and milk to a vital system of transport. They are a hardy people – as they would have to be to survive in this challenging terrain. Yet the population of the Dukha, and the reindeer on which they rely, are dwindling, and urgent changes are needed if they are to continue with their ancient way of life.
A Dukha pole house, or "alajy og"
Photographer Uluc Kecik traveled into the taiga to capture these pictures and meet the Dukha in Mongolia's northernmost reaches. "Today, the Dukha represent Mongolia's smallest ethnic minority, with approximately 45 nomadic households herding reindeer," says Kecik. "They are, to varying degrees, facing threats to their cultural survival – transitions to market-based economies, tourism, global warming, language loss and assimilation into the dominant majority."
An 'Ereen' – colorful cloths tied to each other – represents a protective spirit and is a sacred object.
The Dukha's Mongolian name "Tsataan" can be translated as "reindeer herder", reinforcing just how inextricably their whole way of living is tied to these animals. As recently as 15 years ago, the Dukha (along with three other nomadic tribes of the region) herded up to 15,000 reindeer between them. These days, the number has dwindled to 2,200 and is still falling.
Gombo, seated, is the eldest male and so is current leader of the tribe.
Reindeer are not simply domestic animals to the Dukha; they also hold a special place in their social and religious culture as totems. "[The Dukha's] spiritual traditions are powerfully defined by shamanist beliefs and [are] among the most enduring in the world," says Kecik. Enduring, despite attempts by the government to repress the Dukha culture during the Communist era and the many pressures it still faces today.
Everything on the reindeer, down to the antlers, is used by the Dukha.
The reindeer themselves are tame and will often respond when called. Traditionally, the Dukha have primarily hunted wild animals for meat, slaughtering their reindeer only when the animals were past breeding age and too old to be used for transport. However, these days, difficult economic times and the decreasing amount of wildlife in the forests mean that, more and more, herders are forced to kill and eat their reindeer to survive.
The nuts of the pine cone are a popular snack at community gatherings.
As one United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) document puts it, "Taiga reindeer herders, including the Dukhas, have been likened to hunter-gatherers, rather than true pastoralists, because hunting wild meat has played as important a role in their livelihoods as herding."
The Dukha and their reindeer move between six and ten times a year.
The taiga is normally a rich habitat, sustaining creatures such as bears, squirrels, rabbits, badgers and, of course, reindeer. Yet, in recent times, commercial hunting and other factors have severely diminished the wild animal population. And not only does this result in there being less for the Dukha to hunt, but also less for their hunting competitors, the wolves. This means that, like the herders, wolves are also preying on the reindeer stocks.
The Dukha and their reindeer move between six and ten times a year.
The taiga is normally a rich habitat, sustaining creatures such as bears, squirrels, rabbits, badgers and, of course, reindeer. Yet, in recent times, commercial hunting and other factors have severely diminished the wild animal population. And not only does this result in there being less for the Dukha to hunt, but also less for their hunting competitors, the wolves. This means that, like the herders, wolves are also preying on the reindeer stocks.
The Dukha ride on the reindeer as well as using them to transport goods.
Another environmental problem for the taiga – and therefore the reindeer herders – is unregulated mining. These small-scale operations, generally searching for gold or jade, cause large-scale damage to the forest ecosystem. Some of the undesirable side effects of the mines are deforestation, wildfires, and contamination with toxic chemicals that affects both the land and water sources. All of this has adverse results for the animals living within the forest and the herders needing to pasture their animals.
Getting ready to go out on a ride
Like people who live off the land all around the world, the Dukha are also being affected by climate change. "The taiga – the Dukha homeland – is a hotspot for biodiversity and is rich in natural resources," says UN Under-Secretary General and UNEP Executive Director Achim Steiner. "But it is also one of the regions of Mongolia which could suffer the greatest impacts of climate change over the coming decades."
A man named Davaajav tries to lasso a reindeer.
The effects of climate change in the taiga include disastrous weather patterns. In the last twelve years, there have been seven erratic weather events – from droughts to extreme winters – a sobering statistic, considering the fact that there had only been three such extreme weather events in the 60 years leading up to the year 2000. These changes create added demand for suitable grazing land and put more stress on the ecology and herding communities like the Dukha.
Reindeer antlers are trimmed before the migration to make it possible to move through the thick forest.
Bad weather, overhunting, wolves and mining are unfortunately not the only problems for reindeer herds. Another major factor in their declining population are the effects of inbreeding and disease. For thousands of years, the Dukha have been experts in reindeer husbandry – a skill passed down through families for generations. In the past, this was sufficient to keep the herds strong and healthy, but sadly it is perhaps no longer enough.
A Dukha herder named Davaajav
Unfortunately, much of the collective knowledge about reindeer husbandry was lost during the mismanagement of the Soviet years. Inbreeding among herds meant weaker stock that was more susceptible to diseases such as brucellosis. Caused by bacteria, brucellosis leads to reproductive problems and joint swelling in the animals it infects. Researchers think that up to a quarter of the Dukha reindeer herd may have the disease.
In the old days, pole houses were covered with reindeer hide; now, canvas is used.
Even those reindeer uninfected by brucellosis are showing the other adverse signs of inbreeding. For one thing, new calves are born small and sickly. Females will also sometimes be born with fewer teats and, when they reach child-bearing age, give birth to twins, which normally die – two clear signs that there is not enough genetic variety in the herd.
Taking apart the portable pole house to get ready to move.
During the 1960s and 1980s, the Soviet government tried to deal with the low population and inbreeding problem by replenishing the herd with reindeer from Siberia. Since the fall of the USSR, however, there have been no more outside additions. While some suggest bringing in reindeer, or at least their semen, from herds in Siberia, or from even further climes such as Canada or Scandinavia, the matter remains a topic of debate among researchers.
A pause in the preparations
As suggested, not everyone agrees that introducing foreign stock into these reindeer herds is a good idea. Some think that introducing new genes will mess with the generations of adaptations the Dukha have bred into the taiga reindeer to make them suitable for their use, particularly as transport animals. Opponents have also pointed out that molecular research has been done on the taiga herds, and that so far they have been found to be no more inbred than many other similar populations. The research continues.
The pole houses are anchored by three pine trunks tied together; about a dozen other pine trunks are then balanced around them.
Yet despite these objections, plans to introduce new blood to the herd continue. According to a Dukha herder Bayandalai, it is definitely a good idea. "The reindeer our ancestors used to herd were healthy," he says. "Today I have only one wish, and that is for the government to bring in reindeer from Siberia, Scandinavia, or Canada. If not reindeer, then reindeer semen."
The canvas coverings are draped over the structure, overlapping one another on a gradient, so that rainwater always runs along the seams in a spiralling motion.
Getting the semen from its source – probably in North America – to the Dukha will be a challenge in itself. The precious fluid will need to be frozen and kept in a container of liquid nitrogen, which will then have to be carried across the Mongolian steppe on horseback, before it completes its journey by reindeer. Quite an adventure for a vial of reindeer sperm!
A herder leads his reindeer.
Whatever impact inbreeding has on the health of the reindeer herds, there are also other factors contributing to the problem. One of these is the increasingly stationary lifestyle of the Dukha people. Once, the Dukha were nomadic wanderers, but the younger generations are being lured to settle down by the promise of schools and consumer goods. Border closings, such as that between Mongolia and Russia, and the degradation and commercial use of land, also mean the Dukha are not as free to graze their herds as they once were.
Like reindeer, horses are an important form of transportation in the taiga.
This restricted movement means the reindeer herds now have difficulty getting the lichen they need for nutrition. The Dukha also believe that the disruption of natural migration patterns, as well as climate change, has led to more health problems like parasites and diseases. They also blame increased transportation of the reindeer from the taiga to the steppe, and the contact they make with livestock along the way, for spreading infection. Added to this is the limited availability of veterinary care for sick animals.
Most Dukha children live in the closest town, 8 hours away by horse, in order to attend school.
On the positive side, organizations such as UNEP and international NGOs are working to help the people of the taiga retain their culture and way of life. UNEP has made several proposals, including making a record of traditional Dukha knowledge and promoting biodiversity in the region. They also propose that strategies be drawn up for future land use and that this be closely monitored for its impact on the environment.
Meat, when available, is distributed between all members of the tribe.
UNEP also advises that tourism be regulated so that it has a positive rather than negative impact on the sensitive ecosystem. For this, they recommend talks between tour operators, local government, land users and herders to reach agreements for the benefit of all. Further, they suggest that current hunting regulations be evaluated to measure their impact on the Dukha and their means of support.
The Dukha of the taiga
Of utmost importance will be a program to grow the reindeer herds and provide them with veterinary care using, as UNEP say, both Western and traditional knowledge. Aiding them in this is a New York-based organization, The Totem Peoples Project, which is raising funds to research the diseases and health problems of the taiga reindeer as well as lobbying the local government for more support for the Dukha.
A woman tending to one of the reindeer
"Reindeer are more than simply the animal which provides a livelihood in the taiga," says Daniel Plumley, founder of the Totem Peoples Project. "They represent the culture here. Without the reindeer, the culture would cease to exist." Batulga, a Dukha reindeer specialist, agrees. "Without the reindeer we are not Dukha," he says.
Of the current work being done to help the Dukha and their herds, Batulga says, "We have had success in our difficult work, but we have only just begun. We give our deepest thanks to all who can help us, the Dukha, to continue the proud way of our people."
For our part, we can only hope that efforts to keep alive the millennia-old way of life for these reindeer nomads prove successful, and that the Dukha people and their herds will always remain part of the Mongolian taiga.
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"Mogi" Munkhdul Badral
Senior Client Manager / Executive Director
CPS International LLC
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