Kyrgyzstan and Mongolia share experiences in regulating the mining industry during OSCE-supported study visit

The OSCE Centre in Bishkek supported a study visit to Ulaanbaatar, from 14 to 18 April 2015, comprised of eight representatives from Kyrgyzstan’s Parliament, the Ministry of Economy, the State Agency for Geology and Mineral Resources, the State Agency on Environment Protection and Forestry and other key state agencies to familiarize participants with the workings of the mining industry in Mongolia.

Participants learnt about the Mongolian experience in attracting investments to the mining sector, the legislative framework regulating the sector as well as private and public engagement in mining exploration work. Environmental protection, industrial safety and the mining sector’s co-operation with local communities were also discussed.

“Both in the Kyrgyz Republic and Mongolia, the mining industry plays vital role in the economy,” said Akunaly Dosaliev, member of the Kyrgyz Parliament. “But Mongolia has succeeded more in attracting foreign investments from multinational companies, adopting investor-friendly legislation, and most importantly the Government pays much attention to environmental protection issues. The Kyrgyz Republic is currently working on improving its regulatory environment for investing in the mining industry and has a lot to learn from the Mongolian experience”.

Head of the Economic and Environmental department of OSCE Centre in Bishkek, Yulia Minaeva said: “The study visit was organized as a part of Centre’s activities in supporting the Kyrgyz Government’s efforts to develop the mining sector as a part of promoting both economic and environmental security. The main challenge for the country is to manage responsibly the exploitation of its abundant mineral resources. Establishing dialogue with local communities living close to deposits, protecting nature and providing investors with the necessary conditions to carry on activities are the main factors for developing the mining industry.”

During the study visit, participants held meetings with the Ministry of the Mining Industry of Mongolia, the Mining Association of Mongolia, the Invest Mongolia State Agency, together with representatives of international mining and consulting companies.