Politics
Finance Minister Says Entrée Licenses Have Not Transferred to Oyu Tolgoi
Published: 2026-10-03
Finance Minister Z. Mendsaikhan told Parliament that no action has transferred Entrée Resources’ Javkhlant and Shiveet Tolgoi licenses to Oyu Tolgoi LLC, and that the government has made no commitment concerning Entrée in Oyu Tolgoi negotiations. MP O. Batnairamdal raised concerns after Entrée said it had transferred MNT 24.3 billion to Mongolia’s tax account in June, describing the payment as tax related to a potential license transfer. Mendsaikhan said the Tax Authority did not assess or demand the payment and has issued no certificate, which is required by law for a license transfer. He said the company calculated and paid the amount itself, and that it was being offset against the company’s other tax liabilities because no separate account exists for license-transfer payments. Batnairamdal argued that returning the money would avoid signaling informal approval while negotiations continue.
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Economy
Government Plans Tighter Fuel-Sales Checks as Demand Remains High
Published: 2026-10-03
Industry and Mineral Resources Minister G. Damdinyam met citizen representatives on October 2 to discuss fuel supply, distribution and oversight. Participants called for tighter monitoring and accountability for importers and retailers, faster fuel-quality testing, checks on resale and large allocations made in the name of contracted organizations, and regular public supply information. Damdinyam backed involving citizen representatives in filling-station inspections, including sampling fuel for testing when needed. He said businesses found creating artificial limits or enabling resale during shortages could face action under the law. The ministry is developing a unified camera system and vehicle-plate tracking of purchase frequency. Mongolia normally sells about 1,000 tonnes of AI-92 gasoline daily; current daily supply and distribution are 1,700-1,800 tonnes, while demand remains high. The government is pursuing 150,000 cubic meters of additional storage capacity and diversified imports.
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Yuan Selling Rate Reaches MNT 540 During China Holiday Closure
Published: 2026-10-03
The cash selling rate for the Chinese yuan reached MNT 540 at commercial banks and currency-exchange centers, while the Bank of Mongolia’s official rate was MNT 536.31 per yuan on October 2. Some exchange centers reported buying yuan for MNT 538 and selling it for MNT 540; State Bank had quoted a MNT 540.60 selling rate on September 30. The official rate has risen gradually from MNT 523.73 in early May, an increase of about MNT 12.6, or 2.4 percent, by early October. The movement coincides with China’s National Day holiday, during which the road border crossing at Zamiin-Uud is closed from October 1 to 7 and scheduled to reopen October 8. Rail and air crossings continue operating. The closure may affect cash-yuan availability, import payments and demand from traders using the crossing.
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Fuel-Reserve Expansion Targets One Month of Supply
Published: 2026-10-03
An isee.mn analysis linked Mongolia’s fuel-supply vulnerability to dependence on external sources, past resistance to oil exploration and insufficient strategic fuel storage. It cited exploration projects that faced local opposition, including Uvs I, Darganga-XXIV and Kherlentohoi XXVIII. The Darganga-XXIV production-sharing contract was terminated in 2022 for failure to meet contractual obligations, and the area was returned to tender in 2026. The report said that, as of July, 18 companies were working to build or expand 22 facilities, with a planned combined addition of 300,000 cubic metres. The capacity is intended to store about one month of consumption. San Petroleum’s 16,000-cubic-metre fuel-storage tank entered operation on September 23. The analysis said International Energy Agency members follow a principle of holding oil reserves equivalent to at least 90 days of net imports.
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Society
Fuel Shortages, Textbook Delays and Grant Funding Disputes Mark the Week
Published: 2026-10-03
A protest over rising fuel prices and shortages blocked the Central Post Office intersection in Ulaanbaatar on Thursday, stopping traffic across the city. The Emergency Medical Center received more than 1,400 calls that day, with road closures delaying treatment in more than 10 cases. Minister G. Damdinyam said reduced deliveries from Russia had tightened supply, while contracts had been signed to import 78,000 tonnes of gasoline from China in October. He also said storage capacity would increase by 150,000 tonnes this year. Separately, first-grade textbooks began distribution on October 1 after a month of adaptation classes, while availability for grades 6-12 stood at 85 percent. Students at the Mongolian National University of Education also protested unpaid Education Loan Fund grants; 4,100 eligible students outside the quota may have to cover their own costs.
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Fire-Safety Campaign Targets Ulaanbaatar Ger Districts
Published: 2026-10-03
Ulaanbaatar has launched a citywide campaign to improve heating safety in ger districts and prevent fires and carbon-monoxide poisoning through November 20. About 2,500 fires were recorded in the capital in 2025, according to the report. It said 63 percent resulted from residents’ accidental or careless actions, while 27 percent were linked to electrical installations. Authorities warned against overloading outlets, using electric heaters in ways that create excessive loads, discarding cigarette butts without extinguishing them and dumping hot ash or embers outdoors. About 5,000 households, representing roughly 20,000 residents, are switching to gas heaters during this heating season. The city has installed elevated, AI-based cameras at 13 locations, including Bagakhangai, Baganuur and Nalaikh, to detect flames and smoke in real time within a radius of up to 10 kilometres.
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Environment
Snow and Strong Winds Forecast for Southeast While Ulaanbaatar Stays Mild
Published: 2026-10-03
Forecasters warned that eastern Dornogovi and southern Sukhbaatar could see rain, wet snow, snow and blizzard conditions on October 3, potentially reducing visibility and making roads on passes and hills slippery. Some forecasts also included precipitation in parts of Bayan-Ulgii, while others did not. Winds could reach 16-18 meters per second at times across the Gobi and steppe, bringing dust storms. For Ulaanbaatar, attached forecasts called for few or decreasing clouds and dry daytime conditions, with north winds listed as either 4-9 or 6-11 meters per second and temperatures of 7-9 C. Overnight, the Yarmag-Songino area was forecast to be colder; October 4 was expected to be mostly clear with temperatures of 11-13 C. The 10-day outlook said daytime conditions would warm in most of the country and forecast precipitation in Ulaanbaatar on October 8.
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Health
Nationwide Screenings Begin for 270,689 Children
Published: 2026-10-03
A nationwide preventive health and early-detection screening program began on October 1 for 270,689 children in kindergartens and general education schools. The program is planned to cover 53,598 three-year-olds, 75,838 six-year-olds, 74,751 eleven-year-olds and 66,502 fifteen-year-olds. Exams will be held at schools and kindergartens and will assess growth and development, eyesight and vision disorders, spinal curvature, flat feet and heart activity through electrocardiograms. Screenings will also look for developmental delays, autism-spectrum-disorder risks and mental-health risks among adolescents. Children found to have health issues will be connected with relevant care, treatment and follow-up services. Participation is voluntary, and examinations, tests, psychological counselling and assessments require consent from a parent, guardian or student. Annual screenings for these age groups are planned.
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