Posts

Showing posts from March, 2011

Gold output hit record in 2010, may rise further – GFMS

Global gold production is expected to increase in the short-term, but it would then decline as fewer and fewer large discoveries were being made, precious metals consultancy firm GFMS World Gold MD Paul Burton said on Wednesday.

Frontier Markets Reloaded

Business Monitor Online recently published a report on Frontier Markets, which is also appearing in this week’s Emerging Markets Monitor magazine.

SouthGobi Resources Announces Promotion of Curt Church to Chief Operating Officer

Alexander Molyneux, President and CEO of SouthGobi Resources Ltd. (TSX:SGQ)(SEHK:1878) is pleased to announce Curt Church, previously Vice President, Mining Operations has been appointed the company's new Chief Operating Officer, effective immediately.

Mongolia Narrows Tavan Tolgoi Bidders to Three, Review Reports

Mongolia has narrowed the short- list of bidders for the Tavan Tolgoi coking coal deposit to three, including Peabody Energy Corp. (BTU) , a China Shenhua Energy Co Ltd (1088) .- Mitsui & Co Ltd. (8031) joint venture and a Russia-South Korea group, the Australian Financial Review reported in its Street Talk column, without saying where it got the information.

Mongolia Says 6 Groups Still on List for Tavan Tolgoi Coal Mine

Mongolia hasn’t yet decided which of six foreign groups should develop Tavan Tolgoi, one of the world’s largest untapped coal deposits, an official said, refuting a report which said the shortlist was cut to three.

Mobicom Selects ValidEdge for its Security Operations Center

ValidEdge provides fastest and most in-depth malware analysis to enable protection of mobile network.

Mongolia-Poland consultative meeting held

A regular consultative meeting between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of Mongolia and Poland ran Tuesday in Warsaw, Poland.

Tavan Tolgoi Shares Distribution among Mongolia

Chairman of Board of Directors of Erdenes TT, Chairman of State Property Committee of Mongolia D.Sugar briefed major Mongolian daily “Unen” today.

Mongolia Might Store Foreign Spent Nuclear Fuel

The Obama administration has held informal talks with Mongolia about the possibility that the Central Asian nation might host an international repository for its region's spent nuclear fuel, a senior U.S. diplomat said yesterday.

SouthGobi Resources Announces Updated NI 43-101 Compliant Coal Resources and Reserves for Its Ovoot Tolgoi Complex in Mongolia

Measured Plus Indicated Increase by 7% to 266.2 Million Tonnes and Inferred Increase by 190% to 97.1 Million Tonnes.

Local youth makes plans to visit Mongolia

Rebel Rauterkus of Star Valley will be among 30 youth to visit Mongolia through Wyoming 4-H leadership program this summer.

Ivanhoe says Mongolia project ahead of schedule

Ivanhoe Mines Ltd The massive project, which Ivanhoe is being developing in partnership with Anglo-Australian miner Rio Tinto (RIO.AX) (RIO.L), is expected to begin commercial production in the first half of 2013.

China may face up to 56 mln T coking coal shortfall -paper

China, the world’s biggest user and producer of coal, may face a shortfall of 56 million tonnes of coking coal this year, the China Securities Journal reported on Tuesday, pushing Chinese steel mills to look further afield to make up the supply gap.

Mongolia Growth Group Ltd. Publishes March 2011 Monthly Letter to Shareholders

Mongolia Growth Group Ltd., is pleased to announce the release of its March 2011 letter to shareholders.March 2011 Shareholder Letter

Macroeconomic Forecast Mongolia

Image
Mongolia’s external trade deficit rang in at US$139.6mn as imports surged 163.8% year-on-year (y-o-y) in January.

Oyu Tolgoi copper-gold-silver project now in peak year of construction

Ivanhoe Mines Ltd. today announced its financial results for the year ended December 31, 2010. All figures are in US dollars unless otherwise stated.Highlights:

Oyutolgoi LLC to grant USD1 million as SME loan in Umnugobi

Oyutolgoi LLC will grant an amount equivalent to USD1 million as loan to small and medium enterprises of Umnugobi aimag through XacBank.

Meeting to discuss human resources in mining

An NGO, Human Resource Development in Mining, and the Union of Professional Human Resource Managers will jointly hold a meeting on how to utilize human qualities to their maximum at the State Academic Theater of Drama at 9.30 am on April 7.

GTSO JV Pledges New Rare Earth Supplies to Aid Japan Quake Recovery

Green Technology Solutions Inc. ( OTCQB:GTSO ) announced today that its rare earth mining joint venture in Mongolia plans to commit a sizeable portion of new product mined from its properties for export to Japan to assist in the country’s earthquake and tsunami recovery efforts.

Mongolian Mining Corp. posts strong results in 2010

Mongolian Mining Corporation, Mongolia's largest producer and exporter of high-quality coking coal, has announced that in 2010 it increased its coal production volume by 114 percent year on year to approximately 3.9 million mt.

T.Badamjunai: Let us improve livestock quality in Mongolia

Some 500 herders from six Central aimags, agriculture specialists and officials of the Office of the President, Parliament, the Standing Committees, the Government and the local administrations are attending a state conference on the progress of the Mongol Livestock program and development of the countryside at Government House today.

Will the decrease in Mongolian mortgage interest rates lead to a greater property supply?

As the mortgage rates drop in Mongolia, will the increased demand and limited supply simply lead to a bubble in real estate prices?

Laima begins export to Mongolia

Latvian chocolate and sweets producer Laima has begun to export its products to Mongolia. The company has already signed the agreement and sent the first 15 tons of its products, as the company informed the business information portal Nozare.lv.

Denison Files Annual Report on Form 40-F

TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - March 29, 2011) - Denison Mines Corp. (TSX:DML)(NYSE Amex:DNN) ("Denison" or the "Company") today announced that it has filed its 2010 annual report on Form 40-F with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

ENK produces 100,000 tons of coking coal in Mongolia

ENK, the first coking chemical complex of Mongolia, has so far produced 100,000 tons of coking coal at its plant in Bayan-Ovoo soum of Umnugobi aimag.

Xanadu buys Mongolian copper prospect

Exploration minnow Xanadu Mines Ltd says it has acquired the Mogoin Gol copper prospect, covering 488 square kilometres, in northern Mongolia.

Inner Mongolia imports over 1 million tonnes Mongolian coal

According to the region coal industry bureau China top coal production base of Inner Mongolia imported 1.26 million tonnes coal from Mongolia in the first two months of 2011 surging 22.4%YoY.

Ivanhoe Mines, involved in big mining project in Mongolia, narrows full-year loss

NEW YORK (AP) - Ivanhoe Mines Ltd. said Monday that it narrowed its net loss last year as revenue doubled from 2009.

Mongolia Should Rely on Korean Medicines

The Government head also visited Celltrion, a leading biopharmaceutical company in Korea.

Tuva man makes false claims to please Medvedev about origin of throat singing and milk vodka

Tuvan Singer Kongar Ondor said Mongolia is not original place of throat singing and milk vodka. Well, I don't know about Tuva.

Steppe into the void

Nigel Richardson goes off the map to the geological freak shows and dinosaur boneyards of the southern Gobi Desert.

Project completed successfully

Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, /MONTSAME/ The project of “Improving water supply facility of Darkhan-Uul aimag” has been implemented successfully at Japanese governmental non-refundable aid.

Erdenet has reserves for 40 years

At present estimates, the mines of Erdenet Mining Corporation have deposits for 40 years, if the current rate of lifting 25.5 million tons of ore annually remains constant. Erdenet exports copper and molybdenum concentrate.

Batbold asks for more South Korean scholarships, investment

Prime Ministers S.Batbold and Kim Hwang-sik followed up their conversation without aides with official talks where the Mongolian side included Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade G.Zandanshatar, for Road, Transportation and Urban Development Kh.Battulga, for Health S.Lambaa, and for Education, Culture and Science Yo.Otgonbayar, as well as Deputy Speaker G.Batkhuu and the Ambassador to South Korea, D.Gerel.

Civil Will Party and Green Party assemblies agree to form alliance

The Civil Will Party and the Green Party have decided to form an alliance. The two parties held their separate assemblies on March 26 to discuss the issue, and members at both ratified the decision.

Prime Minister’s official visit to Korea ends

Prime Minister S.Batbold’s concluding engagement in South Korea was joining his counterpart Kim Hwang-sik and other leaders to attend a Mongolian cultural performance named Country of Blue Sky at the National Theater in Seoul on March 25.

Advocates for Sangaragchaa to appeal

G.Oyuntsetseg and B.Khishigbaatar, advocates for the Chief of the Anti Corruption Authority, Ch.Sangaragchaa, who has been detained in Gantskhudag for six days, will appeal against the judgment.

Team led by D.Zorigt finishes visit to Germany

A Mongolian team headed by Minister for Mineral Resources and Energy D.Zorigt paid an official visit to Germany between March 23 and 27 on an invitation by the German Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development, Dirk Niebel. Minister for Defense L.Bold and MP and Chief of the Mongolian-German Parliamentary group, D.Terbishdagva, accompanied Minister Zorigt.

World’s top copper miner sees strong metal prices continuing for some time

Global No. 1 copper producer Chile’s Codelco said Friday its 2010 output dipped but should be steady this year, and expects strong Chinese demand, Japan’s recovery after a natural disaster, as well as new uses to stoke demand.

$3b railway to ship coal out of Mongolia

A South Korean consortium has signed a $3 billion preliminary deal to build a railway serving the world’s largest untapped coal mine in Mongolia.

Mongolian Government to carry out a census of all businesses

Preaparing the road to a Tavan Tolgoi IPO.Mongolia counts its economic entities every 5 years and the census will take place on April 15- May 15 reports the National Statistics Committee (NSC).

Pres. Lee Says Mongolia Could Serve as Good Model for N. Korea

President Lee Myung-bak says that Mongolia could serve as a good model for North Korea in terms of economic reform.

Mongolia the next frontier

Many established brand names from Asean can be introduced to Mongolia, and Malaysia hopes to be in the forefront with property and infrastructure development, IT products and services and education.

Mongolian Hunters Buy Xanadu On (Six) Wheels

Even the least educated in Asian affairs know Mongolia is full of exotic wild animals and was once home to Xanadu, the archetype for opulence.

Donation of relief money from Mongolia in response to the Tohoku-Pacific Ocean Earthquake

Today (Thursday, March 24), in response to the Tohoku-Pacific Ocean Earthquake, the Government of Mongolia announced that it had made a donation of relief money (one million US dollars).

Mongolia, Korea Seeks ‘Clean Coal’ Production

Mongolia and South Korea will engage in a “clean coal” development project that can improve energy efficiency of the fossil fuel resource.

McCloskey Mongolian Coal and Infrastructure Conference 2011

The inaugural McCloskey Mongolian Coal and Infrastructure Conference will take place in Ulaanbaatar in April 2011.

Mongolia TT mine IPO may come by yr end; rail deal signed

* IPO for Tavan Tolgoi expected by end 2011, early 2012 * Mongolia to decide on listing venue as early as June * South Korea's Lotte signs deal for connecting railway (Adds details on rail link)

Mongolian PM condemns N. Korea for its deadly attack on S. Korea

SEOUL, March 25 (Yonhap) -- Mongolian prime minister on Friday condemned North Korea for its deadly attack on a South Korean warship and vowed to make efforts to enhance peace on the divided Korean Peninsula.

State law, State fist?

You, I, state high officials and everyone have same rights. Everyone believes that court obeys these rules but lately court’s sensational decisions on high officials’ cases are looking more like political revenge.

Premier starts his official visit South Korea

Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, /MONTSAME/ The Prime Minister S.Batbold arrived Wednesday in Seoul to pay an official visit to the Republic of Korea at invitation of his counterpart Kim Hwang-sik.

"Tourism and competitiveness-2011" is to run

Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, /MONTSAME/ A “Tourism and competitiveness-2011” national consultative meeting will run March 28 at Mongolia's Chamber of commerce and industry under the auspices of Mongolia's Prime Minister.

Parliamentary speaker's council meets

Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, /MONTSAME/ A council at the Parliament Speaker discussed Thursday issues of setting an order of agendas to be considered at the regular parliamentary session of 2011, and of intensifying the preparation for the session.

Bulgaria’s Wonders to Be Presented in Buryatia and Mongolia

A delegation of Bulgarian Knights Templars is leaving today for the Russian Autonomous Republic of Buryatia and then set to Mongolia – the motherland of Genghis Khan.

DLA enters Mongolia market with alliance deal

DLA Piper is set to enter the Mongolian legal market after securing an alliance with local firm C&G Partners.

GTSO JV Signs Another New LOI to Develop Rare Earth Mine in Northern Mongolia

Image
Less than a week after announcing a letter of intent to help develop a third new rare earth mining property in Mongolia, the joint venture formed by Green Technology Solutions Inc. (OTCQB:GTSO) and Rare Earth Exporters of Mongolia (REE) today disclosed a fourth site.

S. Korea, Mongolia talk economic, civilian ties

Prime ministers and foreign ministers of South Korea and Mongolia held talks here Thursday, discussing how to improve their economic ties and better cooperate in easing tensions on the peninsula, the Seoul government said.

WHO, KOIKA to fund project against contagious diseases

A meeting at the Ministry of Health on Tuesday adopted the activity plan for a year-long project against spread of contagious diseases as a result of climate change, to be jointly financed by The World Health Organization and KOIKA of South Korea.

MPs wait for copy of court decision

Our journalist talks to the Chief of the Standing Committee on Justice, D.Odbayar.

Prime Minister meets with Mongolians in South Korea

Some 200 of the 30,000 Mongolians in South Korea met with Prime Minister S.Batbold in what was the first event of his official visit to South Korea.

Inflation falls “a little”

Mongol Bank Vice President N.Zoljargal and Director of Foreign Currency R.Delgermaa told a press conference today that inflation has been falling a little and stood at 11% at the end of February in Ulaanbaatar.

Citizens discuss National Security Policy

Participants in an open discussion on “National security and media” today regretted that the National Security Policy was not being implemented even though it was passed seven months ago.

Japan reconstruction good for copper, iron ore – Friedland

Copper and iron ore prices should remain high in the near future because of additional demand for reconstruction in Japan after a devastating earthquake and tsunami, Ivanhoe Mines Ltd Chief Executive Robert Friedland said.

Fitch rates Winsway Coking Coal 'BB'; outlook stable

March 24 - Fitch Ratings has today assigned Winsway Coking Coal Holdings Limited (Winsway) a Long-Term Foreign-Currency Issuer Default Rating (IDR) of 'BB' with a Stable Outlook and a foreign-currency senior unsecured rating of 'BB'.

Foreign ministers of S. Korea, Mongolia agree to deepen cooperation

SEOUL, March 24 (Yonhap) -- Foreign Minister Kim Sung-hwan met with Mongolian Foreign Minister Gombojav Zandanshatar on Thursday and agreed to deepen relations and cooperation between the two countries, the ministry said.

Ch.Khurelbaatar about realization of Governmental works

Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, /MONTSAME/ A head of the Cabinet Secretariat of Government Ch.Khurelbaatar gave Tuesday a report to the cabinet on implementation of the governmental works done in 2010.

Memorandum to be re-established

Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, /MONTSAME/ A Minister of social welfare and labour, T.Gandi is working in Republic of Korea to re-establish the mutual understanding memorandum on "Sending the labour force to S.Korea according to consent to work".

Cabinet meeting in brief

Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, /MONTSAME/ On Tuesday, the cabinet at its meeting approved size and percentage of payments for poisonous substances emitting from pollution.

Council of Finance Minister holds meeting

Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, /MONTSAME/ A council of the Minister of Finance has held a meeting with a participation of the Vice Minister of Finance, State Secretary of Finance Ministry, heads of the Bank of Mongolia, National Development and Innovation Committee, General Customs Authority, Tax Administration, Financial Regulatory Committee, National Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Trading Halt - Mongolia Growth Group Ltd. - YAK

TORONTO, Mar 7, 2011 (Canada NewsWire via COMTEX) -- The following issues have been halted by Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada (IIROC):

Shenhua Energy Eyes Mongolian Coal Mine

March 23 -- China Shenhua Energy ( 601088 ) will cooperate with Japan's Mitsui, to enter the bidding for the west section of the Tavan Tolgoi Tsankhi coal mine in Mongolia, reports 21CBH, citing a company filing.

U.S. Ambassador to Mongolia Visit Troops

KABUL, Afghanistan -- United States Ambassador to Mongolia Jonathan Addleton visited a small contingent of Mongolian counterinsurgency trainers deployed to Camp Julien, here March 22.

Rural Residents Celebrate Onset of Spring with Ice Festival

Every winter for the past 15 years, adventurous Mongolians and foreign visitors have braved sub-zero temperatures to enjoy an ice festival.

Prophecy Resource to export 520,000 tons of coal from Ulaan Ovoo in 2011

Prophecy Resource Corp ( CVE:PCY )(OTCQX:PRPCF) said Wednesday that it anticipates exporting approximately 520,000 tons of coal in 2011 from its Ulaan Ovoo mine in Mongolia, which was fully commissioned last November.

Mongolia revokes decision to allow leopard hunting for science

ULAN BATOR, March 23 (Xinhua) -- The Mongolian government had revoked a decision it made earlier this month to allow foreigners to hunt leopards for scientific purpose, local media reported Wednesday.

Copper fell more down as economic recovery doubts weigh

Copper fell more than one-percent on Monday, failing to join in a broad-based equities rally as concerns about the sustainability of the global economic recovery began to bite.

Rescue workers return from Japan

A team of 12 Mongolian rescue workers returned home on Monday after 5 days in areas hit by tsunami and earthquake in Japan.

Oyu Tolgoi continues to grow in stature – more copper, gold and molybdenum

The April and May issues of International Mining include articles on the great Oyu Tolgoi development in the Gobi Desert of southern Mongolia.

Amendments to be made to the Shareholders' Agreement of Oyu Tolgoi Company

At the cabinet meeting held on March 16, government members got au fait with the process of amending the Investment Agreement signed by Government of Mongolia and Ivanhoe Mines Mongolia, Inc, Ivanhoe Mines Limited, and Rio Tinto International Holdings Limited.

Cooling on uranium

JAPAN’S nuclear crisis has prompted Russia’s state-owned Rosatom Corporation to slash its planned takeover of uranium miner Mantra Resources by more than 12 per cent, casting doubt on how other uranium takeovers will be valued. Rosatom’s ARMZ Uranium Holding Company last week withdrew its $8-a-share offer, following a cooling in investor appetite for uranium stocks as a result of the Fukushima crisis.

Mongolia’s historical space flight

A Mongolian man was launched into space for the first time on March 22, 1981. Citizen of Mongolia Gurragchaa Jugderdemid and Vladimir Janibekov of the USSR were launched to space from Baikonur space site in a Soyuz-39 spaceship.

Resource nationalism a curse: Rio CEO

RIO Tinto chief executive Tom Albanese has warned the development of new global resource projects is slowing because of increased government intervention and greater “stakeholder activism” that is halting supply to world markets.

First complete sauropod embryo discovered

London, Mar 23 : Palaeontologists have discovered the first complete sauropod embryo, still sheltered inside its egg some 110 million years after it was laid.

“Face of Mongolia-2011” Model Hunt Contest to Begin

“Face of Mongolia-2011” contest will take place by the Mongol Model Agency. Aim of the contest is to select new young models, who can participate in the Asian Super Model beauty competition.

E.Otgonbayar’s “The Secret History of Mongolia” Published

“The Secret History of Mongolia” Comic Book Published in German by famous Mongolian artist E.Otgonbayar.

Jindong Cai: Mongolian musicians are good to perform anywhere

American conductor and musicologist Jindong Cai is now in Mongolia at the invitation of the Director of the State Opera and Ballet Theater to conduct Bizet’s Carmen on March 26 and Tchaikovski’s Swan Lake on March 27.

China Gold Int'l says plans to acquire overseas mines

* Says in talks with 5-6 targets to acquire gold, copper mines * To maintain steady gold output in China, expand copper output

Mongolia faces critical water shortage, UNEP report says

Bangkok - Mongolia needs to invest about 1 billion dollars in the Tuul River ecosystem and improve its national water management if its population is to have access to clean water, a United Nations report warned Tuesday.

Mongolia Growth Group Ltd. Announces Private Placement Offering

Calgary, Alberta CANADA, March 21, 2011 /FSC/ - Mongolia Growth Group Ltd. (YAK - CNSX), ("MGG" or "The Company") is pleased to announce a non-brokered "commercially reasonable efforts" private placement offering ("Offering") of common shares ("Common Shares") to raise gross proceeds of up to CDN$ 10 million with a CDN$ 5 million overallotment for aggregate proceeds of up to CDN$ 15 million.

Mongolia to Step Up African Peacekeeping Contributions

Mongolia is proposing to send 1,500 peacekeepers to Cote d'Ivoire, in what would be by far its largest troop contribution to an international mission (and, if we want to be cute about it, the largest troop deployment abroad since the days of the Mongol Empire).

Denison Mines increases resources at Hairhan uranium deposit

Denison Mines ( TSE:DML )( AMEX:DNN ) announced Monday that it has signficantly increased uranium resources at its Hairhan deposit in Mongolia, part of the Gurvan Saihan joint venture.

Mongolia in the spotlight

EVERY one seems to want a piece of the Mongolian coal action these days. And it is not just the Chinese market – big as it is – that beckons.

GTSO Hires SGS to Analyze Rare Earth Content at Mongolian Mining Property

Green Technology Solutions, Inc., (GTSO) has hired SGS Mongolia Minerals to analyze the mineral content of a new mining property it wants to explore in Mongolia.

Seoul Pushes Further on Foreign Energy Deals

SEOUL—South Korea announced a series of agreements and investments in Mongolian and Indonesian coal projects, following the Korean national oil company's $2 billion spending spree Monday on oil reserves in the U.S. and Kazakhstan.

US Company Working to Expand REE Sources

A company based in San Jose is working to develop new sources of rare earth elements (REEs) outside of China.

President and Chairman of the Monnis Group of Companies Joins Prophecy's Board of Directors

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwire - March 17, 2011) - Prophecy Resource Corp. ("Prophecy" or the "Company") (TSX VENTURE:PCY)(OTCQX:PRPCF)(FRANKFURT:1P2) is pleased to announce that Mr. Chuluunbaatar, President and Chairman of the Monnis Group of Companies, Mongolia ("Monnis") has been appointed to Prophecy's Board of Directors.

Gene research project boosts links to Mongolia

A new joint project between Western Australia and Mongolia aims to strengthen ties between the two countries through collaborative genetic research.

Mongolian president encourages Suu Kyi, democracy movement

Chiang Mai (Mizzima) - The president of Mongolia, the first democratic state in Central Asia, has extended his support to Burma’s pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi in a telephone call, according to the US Campaign for Burma.

Chinese military delegation attends 90th anniversary of Mongolian Armed Forces

A Chinese military delegation led by Huang Hanbiao, vice commander of the Beijing Millitary Command of the Chinese People's Liberation Army, on Thursday attended celebrations for the 90th anniversary of the Mongolian Armed Forces.

Entree gold announces $7mn budget for JV work programs

VANCOUVER, March 17 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ - Entrée Gold Inc. (TSX: ETG) (NYSE AMEX: EGI) (Frankfurt: EKA) ("Entrée" or the "Company") announces that the Entree and Oyu Tolgoi LLC joint venture ("Entree-OTLLC Joint Venture") has budgeted US$7 million for exploration and development work on the joint venture ground ("Entree-OTLLC JV Ground") within the Lookout Hill Property, Mongolia.

GTSO JV Adds New Mongolian Legal Consultant to Rare Earth Mining Team

Image
(Source: Business Wire) Only a day after the addition of a new mining and exploration consultant to its rare earth mining team, Green Technology Solutions, Inc. (OTCQB: GTSO) revealed today that its Mongolian operation has grown by one more.

L.Purevdorj: Money from bonds not for apartment building

Mongol Bank President L.Purevdorj answers our reporter’s questions on the Government decision to sell bonds to finance large programs and projects through the Development Bank.

Mongolian engineers meet

The first forum of Mongolian engineers is being held today at Government House. It has been organized jointly by the University of Agriculture, the National University of Mongolia, and the University of Science and Technology, with support from the Ministries of Food, Agriculture and Light Industry, and of Education, Culture and Science.

National committee: more works--more people

Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, /MONTSAME/ A composition of the Naadam preparation national committee will be refreshed.

"Oyu Tolgoi" agreement to be amended

Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, /MONTSAME/ On Wednesday, the cabinet meeting was introduced to a process of amending the investment agreement established between the government of Mongolia and the investors as “Ivanhoe Mines Mongolia Inc” LLC, the “Ivanhoe Mines Ltd” and “Rio Tinto International Holdings Ltd”.

Bonds to be issued by Government

Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, /MONTSAME/ The cabinet on Wednesday discussed a matter on issuing bonds and governmental guarantee, and decided to issue bonds of MNT 800 billion.

Copper Rises On Expectations Of Stronger Demand

Copper prices are rising on expectations that Japan will need more of the metal as it rebuilds after the devastating earthquake and tsunami.

Coal stocks shine on Uranium woes

As the threat of meltdown continues to escalate at several nuclear power plants in earthquake-ravaged Japan sending uranium stocks and spot prices lower on renewed concerns about nuclear energy, investors may be turning their interests toward more traditional forms of energy production, such as coal.

Activists Try to Keep Environmental Treasure Clean

Accelerating to 60 kilometers per hour on a frozen lake in Mongolia is generally not a good idea. A light tap on the brake pedal, a quick swerve to avoid a mound of snow, and the Russian-made UAZ minivan starts spinning in circles, the driver struggling to regain control.

Mongolia's Mortgage Market to become affordable

Mongolian Minister of construction Kh.Battulga said that housing loan shall be squeezed down to 6% per annum.

Wrestling 'in our blood,' says Bulldogs' Luvsandorj

Where Turtogtokh Luvsandorj comes from, wrestling goes back a long way. And we're not talking the 1980s heyday of Hulk Hogan, either.

China: exploring the culture of Mongolia

Where couch-surfing has become a modern phenomenon for the independent traveller, the only means of travelling across Mongolia traditionally involved its people providing food and shelter for complete strangers.

GTSO Rare Earth JV Engages Mongolian Mining Consultant to Analyze New Mineral Reports

Native Mongolian Tasked with Providing Mining & Exploration Support for Rare Earths Projects.

Nuclear Energy Authority asked to take preventive steps

The head of the Standing Committee on Security and Foreign Policy, Ya.Batsuuri, today instructed the Nuclear Energy Authority to take all possible steps to prevent nuclear radiation from Japan damaging health and life in Mongolia.

Court rejects NGOs’ case against Government

The Sukhbaatar District Court yesterday threw away the charges brought by the United Movements of Rivers and Lakes of Mongolia against the Government.

Over 800mn togrog collected for donations

Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, /MONTSAME/ In accordance with a decision of the government, one-day salaries have donated to Japan officials of the Ministries, agencies and state administrative organizations.

New schools, kindergartens to be erected or repaired

Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, /MONTSAME/ The ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary of Japan to Mongolia, Mr. Takuo Kidokoro and governors of Selenge, Khovd and Ovorkhangai aimags and of the city's Chingeltei district, D.Ganbold have signed four projects at the Embassy of Japan in UB city.

NSO, FAO to jointly seek finances

Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia /MONTSAME/ A head of the National statistical office, S.Mendsaikhan has received a representative of the UN Food and agriculture organization to China, Republic of Korea and Mongolia, Victoria Sekitoleko to exchange with her opinions on how to organize here a first agriculture census.

Japan Nuclear Reactor Cores May Have Been Damaged

A fire and aftershocks struck the crippled Fukushima Dai-Ichi power plant today, as officials battling to prevent a nuclear meltdown said fuel rods at two reactors may have been damaged since last week’s record earthquake.

Iran boosts Mongolia ties

Iran has been steadily increasing its ties with Mongolia and 2010 was a year of increased Iranian overtures toward Ulaanbaatar.

Opinion: Get Rich In The Land Of The Blue Sky

The story of Mongolia's resurgence is mouthwatering for investors for a very simple reason. Mongolia is rich in natural resources… and it sits next to the world's most voracious consumer of those resources, China.

2,000 students in mining field

The mining sector employs 31,900 people in Mongolia and some 2,000 students are enrolled in mining-related courses at institutes and universities.

Ministries hold forum for employers

The Ministry of Social Welfare and Labor and the Central Labor Exchange today jointly organized an employers’ forum in Ulaanbaatar as part of the program for the employment support year.

Detailed survey of agriculture sector planned

Agriculture accounts for 16% of the country’s GDP, employs 33.5% of its working force and earns 12.5% of its export revenue.

Speaker in France

Parliament Speaker D.Demberel is on a working visit to France. His first meeting there was with Senator and Chief of the French-Mongolian friendship group, Andre Vantomme, and with the head of a similar group in the Senate, Jan-Rene Leserf.

Deputy Speaker defends Parliament decision to have its own TV channel

Deputy Speaker of Parliament G.Batkhuu answers our journalist’s questions.

Green Party officials sue Enkhbat for slander

The Green Party Secretary, N.Narantsetseg, and the Chief of its Ulaanbaatar Council, Kh.Altantsatsral, yesterday complained under the Civil Law to the Sukhbaatar district court that MP and Leader of the Green Party, D.Enkhbat, had slandered Green Party members.

Ministers brief President on aid to Japan

Deputy Prime Minister M.Enkhbold and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade G.Zandanshatar today briefed President Ts.Elbegdorj on Mongolia’s relief aid to Japan.

Diplomatic credentials presented

Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, /MONTSAME/ The President Ts.Elbegdorj received Tuesday diplomatic credentials from Mrs. Marta Ortiz De Rosas, the ambassador of the United Mexican States to Mongolia; Hernan Brante--of the Republic of Chile; Mr. Bheki Winston Joshua Langa--of the Republic of South Africa; and from Mrs. Joyce Mwaka Chembe Musenge--of the Republic of Zambia.

Germany's educational exhibition to run

Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, /MONTSAME/ Germany's educational exhibition is to run in Ulaanbaatar March 19 in Children library.

The Emerging Market You Might Have Overlooked

Deborah A. Velez Medenica, CFA, Senior Vice President and Portfolio Manager of the Alger Emerging Markets Fund

Denison Mines Corp. Closes Bought Deal Financing

TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - 03/15/11) - Denison Mines Corp. ("Denison" or the "Company") (TSX: DML - News )(AMEX: DNN - News ) is pleased to announce that it has closed its previously announced "bought deal" financing. Denison has sold to a syndicate of underwriters 18.3 million common shares at CDN$3.55 per common share to raise gross proceeds of CDN$64,965,000.

Students help through hands-on history course

What do a Mongolian butcher, an alfalfa farmer in Peru and a carpenter in Lebanon have in common? They are recipients of Kiva microloans funded by enterprising students from the Kansas City Art Institute.

Acceptance of Mongolia's emergency rescue team

On Tuesday, March 15, in response to the Tohoku district-off the Pacific Ocean Earthquake, the Government of Japan decided to accept an emergency rescue team from Mongolia.

Economic research institute founded

Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, /MONTSAME/ An Economic Research Institute (ERI) has been founded at the School of Economics of Mongolia's State University (MSU) by the IRIS Center at the University of Maryland.

About new airport's construction

Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, /MONTSAME/ The Japanese graphic adviser "Azusa Sekkei" and "Oriental Consultants” jointly partnership company have completed a graphic design for the project on erecting an airport in Khoshigtiin khondii, Sergelen soum, Tov aimag.

Aid rice is distributed

Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, /MONTSAME/ Authorities of the Ulaanbaatar city have allotted a humanitarian aid 82,15 ton of rice.

City and "UB Railway" to cooperate

Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, /MONTSAME/ Authorities of Ulaanbaatar and of the "Ulaanbaatar railway" Mongolia-Russia joint stock company jointly set up a working group to meet and decide cooperation issues.

Number of special license holders in mining

Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, /MONTSAME/ In the mining sector of Mongolia, 1,091 special license holders are running activities as of present.

Increased numbers of international buyers boost world’s leading market place for the travel industry

The 45th ITB Berlin came to a close after attracting a significantly larger number of buyers from abroad and the best exhibitor figures ever.

Aid and rescue offers for Japan quake

An international rescue effort to help Japan seek survivors of a massive earthquake and tsunami and address a nuclear crisis is gathering pace, with around 100 countries offering assistance.

Mining Mania

A regular Mongolia Economic Forum closed few days ago. There is almost no developing and democratic country in the world, except Argentina of President Perona’s time, who satisfactorily managed to use rich mineral resources to make the country develop properly.

Mongolian and U.S. universities to cooperate

The University of Arizona, the USA, and Mongolia's University of Sciences and Technology will jointly implement a mine professional training project of “2+2”.

Cooperation with U.S to Expand

Mongolia and the United States will expand their cooperation in democracy education and the mineral sector, officials from both sides said Friday.

Trendfield Holdings Limited Believes That Its Mongolian License 13602X Has the Potential to Be a World-Class Epithermal Polymetallic (Ag, Au, Pb, Cu) Deposits

BEIJING--(Marketwire - March 14, 2011) - In March 2010 THL Mongolia Ltd. purchased 70% of KMNG LLC (KMNG) holdings.

GTSO Eyes April for First Shipment of Mongolian Rare Earth Ore

Rare Earths to be Sent by Rail to Russia and Sold to Highest Bidder

Ivanhoe, BHP find new copper/moly/gold zone in Mongolia

TORONTO (miningweekly.com) – Ivanhoe Mines, which is developing the big Oyu Tolgoi copper/gold project in Mongolia, has found a new copper/molybdenum/gold zone on a property being explored in a joint venture (JV) with BHP Billiton, the firm said on Monday.

Petro Matad set to recommence Mongolian drilling

Oil explorer Petro Matad (MATD) is gearing up to recommence drilling activities at its Davsan Tolgoi-4 well in Mongolia next month, four months after bad weather forced it to halt operations.

Now Blair Cavalcade Turns Up In Mongolia!

Regular readers will know that I take a jaundiced view of former British Prime Minister, Tony Blair. Of course he left office some time ago, and in normal circumstances this might preclude any necessity to write about him much.

Anti-Corruption Views – Launching a “global-local” anti-corruption network in Mongolia

I recently had the opportunity to co-facilitate and present at an anti-corruption meeting in Mongolia that brought together leading players from business, civil society and government agencies.

Press Freedom Index 2010: Mongolia-76

Reporters Without Borders has carried out a new survey of online freedom of expression for World Day Against Cyber-Censorship on 12 March. “One in three of the world’s Internet users does not have access to an unrestricted Internet,” Reporters Without Borders secretary-general Jean-François Julliard said.

Prophecy Makes Strategic Investment in Compliance Energy Corporation

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA — Prophecy Resource Corp. ("Prophecy" or the "Company") (TSX VENTURE: PCY)(OTCQX: PRPCF)(FRANKFURT: 1P2) reports that it has acquired 5,000,000 common shares of Compliance Energy Corporation ("Compliance"), representing approximately 8% of Compliance outstanding shares by means of a non-brokered private placement.

Major copper market developments in February

Reuters copper prices reached a new all time high of USD 10,190 per tonne in February and while they have since retreated as global demand worries dominate sentiment near term, tight supplies will limit declines.

Ger at Mongolian Government House to hold state fire

A ceremony was held earlier today at Government House to begin work on putting up a ger to hold the state fire and the nine white flags of the nation.

Will Mongolia End Hunting of Snow Leopards?

The Snow Leopard Network has asked the Mongolian government to cancel permission for hunting the highly endangered species, local media reported on Saturday.

Tony Blair greets Mongolia

Tony Blair, former British Prime Minister, sent a greeting during the annual ‘Economic Forum’ that Mongolia held annually.

Mongolian Government to Send Rescue Teams to Japan

The Mongolian government decided to send rescue teams to the disaster zone of Japan, local media reported on Sunday.

Mongolia has traded with 96 countries

In the first two months of 2011, Mongolia traded with 96 countries. Total external trade turnover reached 1031.5 million US dollars, of which exports made up 415.9 million US dollars and import 615.7 million US dollars.

Korea Purchases 30,000 Hectares in Mongolia to Initiate Agricultural Cooperation

The Korea Mongolia Agricultural Development Preparation Committee is made up of distinguished personnel with each member carrying a stellar resume.

Mongolia to Roll Out New Smart I.D Card System

At its regular meeting on March 9, the Cabinet decides to renew current ID system with the electronic ID system.

Lotte Engg submits proposal for a rail project in Mongolia

Lotte Engineering & Construction Co said that a South Korean consortium has submitted a preliminary proposal for a USD 3 billion deal to build a 1,000 kilometer railway in southern Mongolia.

Mongolia to import Chinese workers to meet domestic needs

The Mongolian government has approved a draft agreement on importing Chinese laborers, local media reported Thursday.

Denison Mines 2010 Results

TORONTO, ONTARIO -- (Marketwire) -- 03/10/11 -- Denison Mines Corp. ("Denison" or the "Company") (TSX:DML)(NYSE Amex:DNN) today reported its financial results for the three months and year ended December 31, 2010. All amounts in this release are in U.S. dollars unless otherwise indicated.

World Bank urges food aid to Mongolia

The World Bank reports that food prices are increasing across the globe. This could result in pushing 3.6% more people below the poverty line.

Two international banks from Soviet times to merge, Bayartsogt tells Government

Minister for Finance S.Bayartsogt yesterday reported to the Government meeting on the merger plans of the International Bank for Economic Cooperation (IBEC) and the International Investment Bank IIB). 

Government approves draft agreement on importing Chinese workers

The Government yesterday approved the draft of an agreement to be signed with China to import labor from there to work in specified areas.

Case against Government begins on March 15

The Sukhbaatar District Court will begin hearing a case against the Government at 09.30 on March 15 for its alleged failure to implement, even after two years of its passing by Parliament, the law prohibiting mineral resources exploration and exploitation in river and forest basins.

DP suspends rotational election to its NCC

The National Consulting Committee of the DP yesterday decided that there would be no rotational replacement of its members in 2011.

Architect talks to Mayor’s Council on proper urban development

The Director of the Architects’ Institute of Ulaanbaatar, Tsakhiur, today told a meeting of the Mayor’s Council about how the city can be developed as an international business center, favoring green tourism and ensuring better living conditions for its residents.

Why the US and China Woo Mongolia

‘Economic powerhouse’ isn’t a term usually associated with Mongolia—lack of development, political uncertainty, and limited resources continue to restrict its growth.

Did Mongolian government permit hunting snow leopards for research? SLT takes immediate action.

Below is a clipping from a March 2010 Mongolian Newsletter reporting the hunting permits allowed for the year, including four leopards for research.

Mongolia ambassador resigns over scandal

As the sex scandal involving South Korean diplomats and a Chinese woman expanded Thursday, it was reported that an ambassador to Mongolia resigned after having an extramarital affair with a Mongolian woman.

Mongolians abroad to be registered

Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, /MONTSAME/ Those who have been registered in the renewed civil registration will own the ten-percent of the “Erdenes Tavantolgoi” LLC after having opened bank account.

"Shiveekhuren" port to increase capacity

Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, /MONTSAME/ The representatives of Mongolia and Alishaa aimag, Chinese Inner Mongolia, held a joint meeting March 8 and reached some decisions.

National committee set up to reduce air pollution

Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, /MONTSAME/ In accordance with a decree of the President, a national committee in charge of reducing the city's air pollution has been set up.

Speaker gives speech on socio-economic development

Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, /MONTSAME/ The Parliament Speaker D.Demberel has given a speech at a meeting held on measures for developing the socio-economics in Mongolia.

PM asks diplomats to report on development experiences abroad

Prime Minister S. Batbold on Monday asked his country"s overseas diplomats to study foreign experiences on national development and bring them back home.

Mongolia's Univision expands IPTV channel lineup

Mongolian operator Univision has signed a multi-year agreement with Turner Broadcasting System Asia Pacific under which some of the latter's premium channels will be added to its IPTV service, the country's first.

Mongolia Growth Group Ltd. Announces Transformative Partnership

Mongolia Growth Group Ltd. (YAK - CNSX),Following extensive research, Mongolia Growth Group Ltd. (MGG or The Company) has decided to enter the Mongolian Property and Casualty Insurance Market.

GTSO JV Advances Strategic Plan For Rare Earth Exports From Mongolia

Green Technology Solutions (OTCBB:GTSO) President and CEO John Shearer disclosed today that he sent a letter to the Mongolian Ambassador to the U.S. seeking assistance in implementing export logistics for rare earth ore inside Mongolia.

PwC predicts more 2011 rare earths, uranium M&A deals

In its latest report, You Can’t Always Get What You Want-Global mining deals 2010, PwC predicts more takeover activity of junior rare earths projects, uranium projects and complementary extractive industries such as shale.

Korea, Czech Republic join hands to help Mongolia, Ethiopia

Korea and the Czech Republic have found a common interest in Mongolia and Ethiopia.

Roundup 2011: Exploration & Commodities Notes

Copper The 2011 copper market – according to a Roundup 2011 presentation – would present a 1.5 Mt deficit.

What if the Wolf Snarls? Mongolia’s Macro-Economic Risks

Attending the Mongolian Economic Forum last week was not just a welcome occasional foray into an interesting, yet relatively small and obscure Asian country, it was an insight into two main issues.

IPO Flood Will Test Hong Kong Market

HONG KONG—A slew of companies plan to seek as much as $8 billion from Hong Kong investors in coming months, testing the Chinese territory's go-go market for initial public offerings at a time when foreign investors are pulling back from Asia.

Vedanta says it needs 1 mln T coal in 2011

(Reuters) - Vedanta Aluminium needs to import around one million tonnes of thermal coal in 2011 for its new independent power plant in Orissa, an official responsible for coal buying said on Tuesday.

Turner Enters Mongolia

Turner Broadcasting System’s Asia-Pacific unit has announced that it will launch a suite of its top channels in Mongolia, after signing a deal with the country’s first IPTV operator, Univision.

Sumitomo Corp helps people communicate in Mongolia

Sumitomo Corporation has announced that "Our wish to contribute to Mongolia's determination to develop resulted in a communication network covering the entire country

Quam Welcomes Eurasia Capital to GAP; Launches Mongolia Fund

Hong Kong, Mar 8, 2011 - (ACN Newswire) - Quam Financial Services Group, whose holding company Quam Limited ("Quam", Stock Code: 00952.hk) was listed on The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong, takes the lead in welcoming Eurasia Capital, which it has recruited as member of Global Alliance Partners (GAP).

U.S. Envoy to Visit Japan, Mongolia and South Korea

U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Kurt Campbell is leaving for Japan, Mongolia and South Korea on Tuesday for six-day visits, the State Department said on Monday.

Banpu to see limited gains from Mongolian expansion

Banpu Plc is taking a strategic and low risk move by acquiring a 12.4 per cent stake in Hunnu Coal Limited, an Australian-listed cmopany, which has several pre-development coal projects in Mongolia, said DBS Vickers Securities (Thailand).

Mongolia Seeks Balanced Growth to Avoid `Dutch Disease' From Mining Boom

Mongolia needs to look beyond the coal and copper mines that are driving its economic boom to find a more balanced model of growth, Prime Minister Sukhbaatar Batbold said.

GTSO Hires Experienced Mongolian Mining Attorney

SAN JOSE, Calif.--( BUSINESS WIRE )--Green Technology Solutions, Inc. (OTCBB:GTSO) announced today that it has engaged Mongolian attorney H. Orennxapran to assist in the company’s ongoing efforts to expand rare earth production and exports from the Asian nation.

North Korea wants all of its citizens returned

Seoul, South Korea (CNN) -- North Korea has demanded that South Korea immediately return 31 North Koreans who accidentally crossed over into South Korean waters on a fishing boat -- even though the South says four of them have decided to defect.

EITI Adds 6 Countries To ‘Compliant’ Status

The Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative said Wednesday that six more countries have achieved compliance status under its principles.

New rules in effect for international marriages

A set of new rules aimed at minimizing “problematic” international marriages will take effect starting this week in a bid to reduce their negative social impact, the Ministry of Justice said yesterday.

Mongolia Shortlists 6 Groups to Develop Tavan Coal Field

Mongolia shortlisted six groups from an initial 15 applications to develop the central-west part of the Tavan Tolgoi coal field, said Baasangombo Enebish, executive director of the state-run Erdenes MGL LLC.

Vale, ArcelorMittal shortlisted for Mongolia coal mine

(Reuters) - ArcelorMittal ( ISPA.AS ), miner Vale ( VALE5.SA ) and a Korea Resources consortium are among six shortlisted bidders to develop Mongolia's Tavan Tolgoi mine, the world's biggest untapped coking coal deposit, Korea said on Monday.

Premier addresses economic forum of Mongolia

Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, /MONTSAME/ The Prime Minister S.Batbold delivered a speech at an opening of a special meeting themed “Transparency of Extractive Industry” started Thursday.

"Friendship" medal awarded

Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, /MONTSAME/ The President has decreed to award the "Friendship" medal to Mr. Ron Staples, a manager of Mongolia-Australia Scholarship Program (MASP) and economist on international development.

Model the UN

Nearly 200 middle school students from six school districts are participating in the Southeast Alabama Model United Nations Assembly at Troy University.

Ten Things We’ve Learned about Mongolian Democracy (and China)

ULAAN BAATAR, Mar. 4 – Attending the Mongolian Economic Forum this week has in part been an interesting case study in two contrasting and competing systems of government.

Mongolian Judokas Disappoint in World Cup

Mongolian male judokas competed in Judo World Cup 2011, which took place in Warsaw, Poland on February 27-28, 2011.

Mongolia Concerned ‘Hot Money’ Heats Economy, Javkhlan Says

Mongolia is concerned about the destabilizing effect of “hot money” inflows on the economy as it begins to develop large coal and copper mines, said Bold Javkhlan, the first deputy governor of the central bank.

General Mining Corporation tells ASX potash may be behind 33% share spike

General Mining Corporation (ASX: GMM) received a price and volume speeding ticket yesterday after the company's shares spiked 33% to an intra-day high of $0.18, from $0.135 on Wednesday 2 March.

Boston Public Schools students to engage in groundbreaking exchange program with Mongolian schools

Fifteen students and teachers from each country will travel abroad to live with families and learn about free expression in civil society.

Bond-ing in Mongolia

As one Hong Kong banker told beyondbrics recently, “Mongolia is the only game in town”. And soon, gung-ho investors may get a new way to play it.

Ivanhoe sees "substantial" silver at Oyu Tolgoi

* Oyu Tolgoi to produce 3 million ounces/year of silver * Spot silver hits 31-year record at $34.96/ounce

Government to issue shares

Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, /MONTSAME/ The cabinet discussed and backed Wednesday a matter on issuing governmental stocks in order to recover a deficit of the state budget for the budgetary year of 2011 and to create a financial source of the mortgage loans to be granted to state servants and citizens.

Economic forum of Mongolia starts

Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, /MONTSAME/ The Economic Forum of Mongolia (EFM) opened Wednesday in the Government House.

Batbold identifies priorities in development strategy

Inaugurating the Mongolia Economic Forum yesterday morning, Prime Minister S.Batbold expressed happiness that this opportunity to discuss development policy issues was becoming an annual feature and hoped the forum would continue to encourage open debate among scholars, politicians, businessmen and civil representatives on all aspects of development.

Ulaanbaatar Air Pollution Linked to Public Health Crisis

Inside a pulmonary ward for newborns in Ulaanbaatar’s bustling Maternity Hospital No. 3, Dr. Tungalag Lodon tends to a day-old infant just taken off his oxygen tubes.

Face to face with Genghis Khan

The Exhibition, which is a newly launched mega-display at Singapore’s latest attraction, the ArtScience Museum at Marina Bay Sands, opens up the mind of a once great ruler, Genghis Khan.

Those willing to die for freedom certainly are ready for it

CAIRO — Is the Arab world unready for freedom? A crude stereotype lingers that some people — Arabs, Chinese and Africans — are incompatible with democracy.

Russia Fears China, Not Japan

Three news items in recent weeks seem to herald a return of Russia to the Asia-Pacific region. The first was the visit of Russia's defense minister to one of the four Kuril Islands for a "military inspection trip," following on Russian President Dmitry Medvedev's stop there last year.

Japan and S Korea groups take rare metal stake

Japan and South Korea have joined forces to secure supplies of a rare metal crucial to high-grade steel production, investing $1.8bn in Companhia Brasileira de Metalurgia e Mineracão, a Brazilian mining group that is the largest producer of the metal.

Mongolia's Challenges: Inflation, Currency Flows

ULAN BATOR, Mongolia—Surging inflation and interest in trading the nation's currency, the togrog, are key challenges facing the Bank of Mongolia, a top central banker said Thursday.

Mongolia to Raise $500 Million in First Dollar Bond Sale

Mongolia is planning its first sale of sovereign bonds, seeking some $500 million, to help companies from the resource-rich nation located between China and Russia raise funds from credit markets.

Governance Key in Unlocking Mongolia’s Massive Wealth

The world’s newest mineral-rich investment hotspot has surprises up its sleeves. Mar. 3 – Governance was the main theme at the Mongolian Economic Forum being held in Ulaan Baatar, as the country begins to come to terms with its newfound status as a major global player in critical resources.

Noble Seeks More Mongolia Deals After Record Profit

March 1 (Bloomberg) -- Noble Group Ltd, the Hong Kong-based supplier of energy, food and mining commodities, sees Mongolia as its next opportunity to expand in coal and build on its record 2010 profits.

Key political risks to watch in Mongolia

BEIJING, March 1 (Reuters) - Landlocked Mongolia sits on vast quantities of untapped mineral wealth and analysts say it could be one of the fastest growing economies of the next decade, as well as a key investment target for mining giants.

Travel Indochina Announces Two New Exploratory Journeys

Deep history and culture makes Asia one of the best places in the world for adventure travel.

Prophecy Appoints Key Management Personnel

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwire - March 2, 2011) - Prophecy Resource Corp. ("Prophecy" or the "Company") (TSX VENTURE:PCY)(OTCQX:PRPCF)(FRANKFURT:1P2) is pleased to announce that it has made the following senior appointments:

GTSO Rare Earth JV Closing in on New Mongolian Mining Claims

SAN JOSE, Calif.--( BUSINESS WIRE )--Green Technology Solutions, Inc. (OTCBB:GTSO) announced today that its representatives are scouting Mongolia for new rare earth mining claims ideally suited to the company’s goals.

GTSO President to Meet With Mongolian Embassy Staff Today in D.C.

SAN JOSE, Calif.--( BUSINESS WIRE )--Green Technology Solutions (PinkSheets:GTSO) President and CEO John Shearer will meet today with a commercial attaché at the Embassy of Mongolia in Washington, D.C., to coordinate and expedite new rare earth exports from the developing Asian nation.