Politics
Prime Minister Seeks Anti-Corruption Review Over School Funding Claims
Published: 2026-09-11
Prime Minister Uchral asked the Anti-Corruption Agency to review claims that the 2026 budget amendment earmarked funding for Ikh Zasag Kings School, which reports linked to his family. Reports cited differing proposed figures for the school, ranging from MNT 3.2 billion to MNT 3.52 billion, and said MNT 9.8 billion was discussed for private schools. The Education Ministry gave differing accounts of whether the school had sought or accepted support. The DP (Democratic Party) filed its own complaint and called for Uchral to resign during an investigation. Education Minister L. Enkh-Amgalan said no list approving funding or equipment for private schools had been adopted with the budget amendment. Uchral denied that his family had requested public funding and asked the agency to establish the facts.
“Neither my family nor related parties submitted any request to receive funding from the state budget.” - Uchral (news.mn)
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MPP Leadership Rivals Jostle Ahead of Presidential Nomination
Published: 2026-09-11
Itoim political reporting said attendance failures at parliamentary standing committees emerged during an extraordinary session called because funding was unavailable to pay increased teacher and doctor salaries from this month. Citing an unnamed source, the article said the MPP (Mongolian People’s Party) was no longer divided along an earlier reported 38-to-30 split, but around people seeking the party’s presidential nomination. It named Parliament Speaker S. Byambatsogt, Economy and Development Minister J. Enkhbayar, Cabinet Secretariat chief B. Enkhbayar, Justice and Home Affairs Minister S. Amarsaikhan, State Structure Standing Committee chair B. Javkhlan, and former Prime Minister G. Zandanshatar as figures with presidential ambitions. The report suggested that supporters of prospective candidates may be moving to bring down Prime Minister N. Uchral’s government.
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Published: 2026-09-11
A joint task force involving the Anti-Corruption Agency, General Intelligence Agency and National Police Agency is reviewing the selection, implementation and financing of 24 major projects run by Ulaanbaatar. Investigators said the Tuul Expressway tender may have involved legal violations and that named individuals have been charged as defendants. They are also examining a Package 4.2 housing-complex tender under the Selbe 20-Minute City project. Professionalstroy LLC was selected for that tender; City Council representative B. Sergelenbaatar, who holds 30 percent of the company, and 70 percent shareholder Sh. Munkhsaikhan are being investigated as defendants. Separately, former deputy mayor L. Khosbayar is under investigation for alleged abuse of official authority. The Anti-Corruption Agency searched his home and office on September 9.
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Largest Share of Respondents Says No Party Can Solve Pressing Problems
Published: 2026-09-11
The August National Opinion survey found that 37.5 percent of respondents believed no political party could solve Mongolia’s pressing problems, a larger share than named any individual party. Rising prices were the most frequently cited concern at 67.1 percent, followed by corruption at 38.9 percent and education at 36.5 percent. Forty-six percent said their living standards had worsened over the previous three months, up from 30.3 percent in June and 41.1 percent in July. The share describing conditions as significantly worse rose from 9.8 percent in April to 18.8 percent in August. Support for the Mongolian People’s Party (MPP) as able to solve social problems fell from 27.9 percent in March to 20.6 percent in August. The monthly survey covers 1,000 adults in Ulaanbaatar and selected provinces.
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Published: 2026-09-11
A former head of the Risk Management Department at the Zamiin-Uud Customs Office, identified as N.T., has been convicted of accepting MNT 88.5 million in bribes from two licensed customs representatives. N.T. received payments in exchange for creating conditions for goods declared at the customs border to be cleared without delay or obstruction, according to the case. D.S. made 18 payments totaling MNT 52.5 million, while T.E. made nine payments totaling MNT 36 million. Prosecutors indicted N.T. on a charge of receiving a bribe as a public official and D.S. and T.E. on charges of giving bribes. The court sentenced N.T. to one year in prison and barred him from public service for three years. T.E. and D.S. were barred for three years and fined MNT 8 million to MNT 10 million each.
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Parliament Debates 2026 Budget Revision Over Salary Funding Gap
Published: 2026-09-11
Parliamentary standing committees are reviewing amendments to the 2026 state budget after a funding shortfall emerged for teacher and education-sector employee salaries. Lawmakers disagree over how to cover the gap. L. Gantumur warned that increasing expenditure through an additional MNT 1 trillion bond and other revenue measures while revenues are MNT 2 trillion below plan could worsen inflation. Ch. Undram said inaccurate ministry calculations had made a revision unavoidable, and noted plans to reduce ministerial operating and equipment budgets. B. Jargalan opposed raising state debt by MNT 2 trillion and said Prime Minister N. Uchral should have submitted the revision earlier after being appointed on March 30. N. Naranbaatar supported shifting savings, including MNT 249 million from tenders, toward wages and bringing pension increases forward from January 1, 2027 to November 1.
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Economy
Rio Tinto CEO Simon Trott Arrives for Talks on Oyu Tolgoi
Published: 2026-09-11
Rio Tinto chief executive Simon Trott arrived in Mongolia on September 11 and is expected to meet Prime Minister Uchral and cabinet members during a visit focused on cooperation and issues related to the Oyu Tolgoi project. It is his second visit since becoming chief executive in August 2025; his earlier trip concentrated on visiting Oyu Tolgoi operations. Sources gave no detailed public schedule or duration for the current visit, but reported that meetings began after his arrival. The visit comes while the government and Rio Tinto are discussing Oyu Tolgoi matters and have separately said they reached agreement after extended negotiations. Trott previously led Rio Tinto’s iron ore business and has concentrated on the company’s copper and lithium projects as chief executive. In 2025, Rio Tinto reported paying USD 628 million in Mongolian taxes and royalties.
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Housing prices rise 7.2% year on year as rents remain high
Published: 2026-09-11
The National Statistics Office reported that the housing price index reached 1.45 in August 2026, up 7.2% from a year earlier and 2.5% from July. It also reported year-on-year increases of 5.1% for new-home prices and 8.1% for existing-home prices. The average new-home price was MNT 4.77 million per square meter, while existing homes averaged MNT 4.78 million. Sukhbaatar District recorded the highest district averages, at MNT 5.51 million for new homes and MNT 5.82 million for existing homes. Around Sukhbaatar Square and 220 Myangat, the average price reached MNT 7.89 million per square meter. Experimental rental estimates put monthly averages at MNT 1.40 million for one room, MNT 1.93 million for two rooms and MNT 3.03 million for three rooms.
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Orano expects Zuuvch-Ovoo mine to reshape uranium market
Published: 2026-09-11
French nuclear-fuel group Orano expects its Zuuvch-Ovoo uranium project in Mongolia to produce “several million pounds” of uranium annually by the end of the decade, chief executive Nicolas Maes said at the World Nuclear Symposium 2026 in London. Maes said the mine would be the next major project to have the greatest impact on the global uranium market. Orano formally began the project’s construction phase earlier this year, following years of work with the Mongolian government. According to Maes, the proposed investment agreement received 79% support in a parliamentary vote. Zuuvch-Ovoo is therefore in construction rather than production. Orano’s stated forecast is for annual uranium output from Mongolia by the end of the decade.
“The next major mine to have the greatest impact on the global uranium market will be in Mongolia.” - Nicolas Maes (isee.mn)
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Central bank proposes 5% medium-term inflation target for 2027
Published: 2026-09-11
The Bank of Mongolia has opened public discussion of its draft monetary-policy guidelines for 2027 before submitting them to parliament. The proposal would coordinate monetary and macroprudential policy to stabilize medium-term inflation at about 5%, support sustainable economic growth and maintain financial stability. It also calls for a flexible exchange rate aligned with macroeconomic fundamentals. More than 100 representatives from government, non-governmental and international organizations, alongside economists, researchers and citizens, joined the discussion. The draft includes measures to strengthen banks’ resilience, supervision and accountability in line with international standards; improve anti-money-laundering controls; manage climate-related risks; and develop payment, financial-market, data and credit-information infrastructure. First Deputy Governor E. Anar said the guidelines are an initial major step in implementing the central bank’s medium-term strategy.
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Ryazan Refinery Halts Operations After Ukrainian Drone Strike
Published: 2026-09-11
Rosneft’s Ryazan oil refinery halted operations after a Ukrainian drone attack over the weekend, industry sources said. The strike stopped the plant’s CDU-6 and CDU-4 crude-processing units; CDU-6 caught fire and can process 8 million tonnes of crude a year, or about 160,000 barrels a day, nearly half the refinery’s capacity. A third major unit, CDU-3, has been under repair since mid-May. Repairs to the damaged units are expected to take several weeks. The refinery is a major fuel supplier for Moscow and nearby regions and was also struck in May and July. The disruption is relevant to Mongolia because of its high dependence on Russian fuel supplies.
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Copper Prices Approach USD 15,000 a Tonne as Inventories Fall
Published: 2026-09-11
Copper futures reached new records in London and New York on Wednesday, supported by concerns over US tariffs, conflict in the Middle East and supply disruptions. London Metal Exchange futures rose to USD 14,858 a tonne, exceeding Tuesday’s previous high of USD 14,779 and marking a third consecutive record-setting day. Prices later traded at USD 14,767 a tonne. COMEX copper reached a record USD 6.89 an ounce. Copper prices have climbed 19 percent since the start of the year as longer-term demand has outpaced supply. Stocks in Shanghai Futures Exchange warehouses fell last week to their lowest level since 2024, while China’s peak industrial season is expected to revive demand.
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Bank of Mongolia Studies New Mortgage-Lending Structure
Published: 2026-09-11
The Bank of Mongolia is studying amendments to mortgage-lending rules this autumn, including loans with different purposes and financing structures, according to B. Munkhzul, director of the Domestic Market Operations Department. The bank is also working to transfer the mortgage program to the government from 2027. Policymakers have previously discussed broadening eligibility to detached homes and homes heated with renewable energy or electricity, but no new rules have been approved. Since the program began, financing totaling MNT 10.7 trillion has helped more than 140,000 households purchase homes. Rising demand has left applications from more than 5,000 to 6,000 people pending in some cases for five to six years. Parliament Speaker S. Byambatsogt said on May 19 that 45,000 mortgage applicants were waiting.
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Erdenet’s Molybdenum Concentrate Debuts on Exchange at 19.25% Premium
Published: 2026-09-11
Erdenet Mining Corporation’s molybdenum concentrate was traded on the Mongolian Stock Exchange for the first time on September 10. The auction covered 520 wet metric tonnes, equivalent to 468 dry metric tonnes, of concentrate containing at least 44% molybdenum. Competitive bids raised the price by $5,450 per tonne, or 19.25%, from a starting price of $28,317.90 to a settlement price of $33,767.90 per tonne. The total transaction value reached $15.8 million. The exchange said it had adopted a new standard and procedures for molybdenum-concentrate trading in 2026, expanding the range of mining products available through its market.
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2027 Budget Proposal Sets $500 Million for 16,000 Mortgage Loans
Published: 2026-09-11
The government has included 1.8 trillion tugriks, about $500 million, in its proposed 2027 state budget to provide housing mortgages for 16,000 households. The plan would offer concessional loans, shared-ownership arrangements and rent-to-own housing. Mortgage interest would be set at 6%, then stabilized at 12% from the sixth year. Finance Minister Z. Mendsaikhan said the measure is intended to support housing demand and the construction sector, which recorded its weakest growth in the second quarter of 2026. Commercial banks have received mortgage applications from 45,000 people, while funding shortages have slowed approvals. About 20,000 newly built apartments are available on the market but remain unsold, according to the ministry.
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Diesel Prices Jump 14% in Ulaanbaatar’s Weekly Essentials Survey
Published: 2026-09-11
Prices for essential goods in Ulaanbaatar rose 0.4% in the week ending September 7, although they were 1.4% lower than a month earlier. Diesel recorded the largest weekly increase, rising 14.0%. Some meat prices also increased: bone-in mutton rose 1.6%, bone-in beef gained 0.6%, and boneless beef rose 0.5%. In contrast, carrot prices fell 4.8% and potato prices declined 4.0% from the previous week. The report noted that higher fuel prices can affect the cost of other goods through transport and logistics expenses. The figures show differing price movements across food and fuel categories rather than a uniform change in the cost of essential products.
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Visitor Arrivals Near One Million Target After Strong Eight-Month Growth
Published: 2026-09-11
Mongolia received 705,098 tourists in the first eight months of 2026, an increase of 106,896 visitors, or 17.9%, from the same period a year earlier. The country has set a target of one million arrivals for the full year. Russia accounted for 239,134 visitors, followed by China with 171,497 and South Korea with 128,589. Japan sent 30,417 visitors and Kazakhstan 16,870. Annual arrivals have risen consistently from 286,000 in 2022 to 847,000 in 2025. A UN Tourism report for the first half of 2026 ranked the country fourth in Asia-Pacific for tourism growth at 39%, second for tourism-spending growth at 29%, and third for revenue growth at 27%. Tourism businesses have sought MNT 2 trillion in loans, while MNT 250 billion is available this year.
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Diplomacy
Vietnam and Mongolia Seek Expanded Trade, Investment and Air-Cargo Links
Published: 2026-09-11
Prime Minister Uchral met Tran Thanh Man, chair of Vietnam’s National Assembly, on September 10 during the Vietnamese official’s visit to Mongolia. Uchral said the visit—the first at the Vietnamese National Assembly chair level in 23 years—was important for expanding and strengthening the countries’ Comprehensive Partnership. The sides exchanged views on creating favorable conditions to expand trade, investment and economic cooperation, and agreed to broaden cooperation in transport and logistics, tourism, education and culture. They specifically agreed to work toward a legal environment for air-cargo transport to strengthen transport and logistics cooperation. Tran Thanh Man said the intergovernmental commission mechanism should be developed with new, mutually beneficial content, and that the science and technology cooperation subcommittee’s regular meeting should be held at a date agreed by both sides. Parliamentary standing committees were to meet September 11.
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Infrastructure
Fuel Deliveries to Ulaanbaatar Continue to Increase
Published: 2026-09-11
Fuel deliveries to Ulaanbaatar have continued to rise, according to the rapid-response headquarters established by the prime minister to increase fuel supply and availability. From September 1 to 10, Mongolia imported 24,000 tonnes of motor gasoline. As of September 11, suppliers were unloading 5,520 tonnes of AI-92 gasoline nationwide, with 2,460 tonnes already delivered to storage facilities. Of that volume, 1,000 tonnes had been delivered to 91 fuel stations in Ulaanbaatar and about 580 tonnes to 58 stations in provincial areas. Officials said gasoline was being supplied without interruption in the capital and most provinces, except for shortages reported in some remote provincial areas. The headquarters held a regular meeting on fuel supply and availability.
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Ulaanbaatar to Fine Trucks Without Restricted-Route Permits From September 12
Published: 2026-09-11
Ulaanbaatar will begin automatically issuing fines from September 12 to freight vehicles that enter restricted or prohibited city streets without an E or C temporary road permit. M. Tsolmon, a logistics planning and research officer at the Public Transport Policy Office, said carriers operating within the capital must obtain the permits electronically through the city’s digital road-permit system or at Gerege kiosks. Applicants must submit documents including a contract, vehicle registration certificate, photograph and report. The permits are issued twice a year and cost MNT 10,000, MNT 15,000 or MNT 20,000, depending on the vehicle category. They authorize trucks to travel at designated times and along specified routes. Under the Law on Violations, individuals and legal entities that breach traffic restrictions may face fines of 20 and 200 units respectively.
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Utility Advises Customers to Adjust Use During September 11 Maintenance
Published: 2026-09-11
Ulaanbaatar Electricity Distribution Network advised customers to temporarily adjust their electricity use during maintenance scheduled for Friday, September 11. The utility issued a notice on the day’s repair schedule and asked consumers to manage their use while the work was under way. The supplied report does not identify the locations where electricity would be restricted, the maintenance hours, or the number of customers involved. It also provides no details on the type of repairs, the equipment being serviced, or the expected restoration time at individual locations. The notice is limited to the utility’s advice that consumers adjust electricity use for the duration of the repair work. No additional area-specific or timing information is included in the supplied report.
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City unveils transport, school and road plan to cut congestion
Published: 2026-09-11
Ulaanbaatar Mayor B. Purevdavaa presented the “New Era Ulaanbaatar” policy, linking congestion relief to expanded public transport, school capacity and road connections. The city plans 16 new bus routes covering 27.3 km, plus 60 electric high-capacity buses, 50 school buses and 46 medium-capacity buses for areas without regular public transport. It plans 84 schools with capacity for 70,080 students; financing has been arranged for 44, including 11 through the Asian Development Bank and 33 through the World Bank. Officials reported 23.4 km of new roads and 33.6 km of repairs, with 158.8 km more planned. Five grade-separated intersections and signal-management upgrades at 180 intersections are planned. Work on the BYD Sky Shuttle feasibility study has begun.
“We have planned a new six-lane expressway exit to the west.” - B. Purevdavaa (ikon.mn)
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Odd-numbered plates allowed on Ulaanbaatar roads on September 11
Published: 2026-09-11
Vehicles with license plates ending in odd numbers may travel in Ulaanbaatar on September 11 under the temporary odd-even traffic restriction. The measure has applied across the capital’s six central districts, without zone-based exemptions, from 07:00 to 21:00 each day since August 15. Plates ending in 1, 3, 5, 7 or 9 are permitted on odd-numbered dates, while plates ending in 0, 2, 4, 6 or 8 are permitted on even-numbered dates. The arrangement remains in force through September 12. Authorities said the restriction will not be extended, so vehicles will be able to travel without number-plate limits from September 13.
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Power Companies Prepare for Winter Peak Demand
Published: 2026-09-11
Energy companies are accelerating repairs, investment projects and technical measures under requirements monitored by the Energy Regulatory Commission to prepare for the 2026-2027 winter peak-load season. Ulaanbaatar Electricity Distribution Network, a state-owned company, is conducting scheduled maintenance on 3,323 substations, lines and equipment for 536,196 customers in Ulaanbaatar’s eight districts and 16 soums in Tuv Province. Scheduled maintenance is 99 percent complete. Of 172 major repair, technical and investment packages covering 120 types of work, 50 percent is complete, with all repairs planned for completion by October. The company is converting the 35-kV Bayanzurkh-A overhead line to a double circuit to reduce loading from the Nalaikh substation and improve reliability in Khujirbulan and Gachuurt.
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Thermal Power Plant No. 5 Takes Top Priority in Ulaanbaatar Project List
Published: 2026-09-11
Ulaanbaatar has ranked Thermal Power Plant No. 5 as its highest-priority project among initiatives needed to expand electricity and heat supply, redevelop ger districts and ease traffic congestion. Construction began last spring on the planned plant in the 20th khoroo of Bayangol District under the city’s 24 mega-project development program. The facility is designed to have installed capacity of 340 Gcal of heat and 300 MW of electricity, with an estimated cost of USD 658.6 million and planned commissioning in 2028. It is intended to provide heat to Tavan Shar, the 21st Khoroolol, Khilchin Khothon, Bayankhoshuu, the Third and Fourth Khoroolol, and the First Khoroolol. Multilevel intersections, cable transport and the Selbe Khoth residential-development project ranked second through fourth.
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Chinggis Khaan Airport Expansion Loan Awaits Parliamentary Approval
Published: 2026-09-11
Mongolia and Japan have reached an agreement on expanding and upgrading Chinggis Khaan International Airport, the Ministry of Road and Transport told Unuudur. The government has backed a draft loan agreement, which awaits parliamentary approval; the ministry said approval would allow preparatory work to be organized. Expansion work is planned to begin in 2027. The article says talks concerned another 65 billion-yen concessional loan. Media in both countries reported that Japan had decided to provide about MNT 1.5 trillion in concessional financing at 0.1–0.2% interest over 40 years. The airport opened in July 2021 after construction financed by a 65.6 billion-yen Japan International Cooperation Agency loan. Ministry officials said it was built for 1.5 million passengers annually, but rising tourist and passenger traffic has strained capacity during summer peaks.
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Baganuur Coal-Pyrolysis Plant Selection Process Underway
Published: 2026-09-11
Ulaanbaatar is selecting a company to build a coal-pyrolysis plant in Baganuur District, a project city authorities say is intended to keep spending on imported semi-coke in Mongolia. Mayor B. Purevdavaa said the decision to build the plant was made on August 6, 2026, and nine entities have submitted proposals. The selection process is under way. He said the facility is expected to enter operation in 2028 and would include gas production, a 40 MW power plant, and potential jobs for 450 Baganuur residents. The mayor said Mongolia lacks technology to produce semi-coke from lignite domestically.
“Mongolia spends MNT 288-300 billion each year solely on importing semi-coke.” - B. Purevdavaa (ikon.mn)
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Advance Seat Reservations Introduced on Airport and Outlying Bus Routes
Published: 2026-09-11
Ulaanbaatar has begun a trial service allowing passengers to reserve seats in advance on buses serving Baganuur, Bagakhangai and Chinggis Khaan International Airport in Khushig Valley. The Public Transport Policy Office said the feature was introduced to improve comfort on the city’s longer-distance routes. Senior transport-policy and planning specialist Sh. Oyuumaa said Ulaanbaatar’s public transport system operates about 1,180 vehicles on 139 routes. Nine to 10 vehicles a day serve the remote Baganuur, Bagakhangai and Khushig Valley routes. The new public-transport payment management system enables passengers to use a mobile application to reserve seats and access ride-sharing services on these routes. The reservation service remains in a trial phase.
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City Proposes Vehicle-Tax Relief for Odd-Even Driving Restriction
Published: 2026-09-11
Ulaanbaatar’s odd-even license-plate traffic restriction has been in effect from August 15 through September 12. The source describes the measure, introduced in connection with preparations for the COP17 international conference and the new school year, as a 28-day restriction. It says residents were unable to use their own vehicles for 14 days. Mayor B. Purevdagva said the tax for those 14 days would be deducted from annual vehicle tax. He said the road-use fee would be addressed through the City Council, while a legal provision approved by Parliament would be needed for the motor-vehicle tax. The announcement describes proposed tax treatment rather than a completed reduction and does not state the value of either deduction. The restriction remains scheduled to end on September 12.
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Ulaanbaatar Governor Rejects Claims That Budget Revision Halts City Projects
Published: 2026-09-11
Ulaanbaatar Governor B. Purevdagva, after more than 100 days in office, plans to brief the public on the status of city projects, future development plans and policy. The briefing follows former governor Kh. Nyambaatar’s claims that proposed amendments to the 2026 budget would suspend funding for the Selbe 20-Minute City project and redirect municipal money to cover the national budget deficit. Purevdagva said work continues on the Selbe River flood embankment, Green Lake design and land clearance in Gandan. He said MNT 753 billion concerns Selbe Smart City funding scheduled to continue into 2027, while MNT 105 billion was withdrawn after tenders missed the May 31 deadline under the State Savings Law.
“No project or program has been halted, and no municipal funds have been given to cover the national budget deficit.” - B. Purevdagva (eagle.mn)
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Society
Census Counts 201,350 Mongolian Citizens Living Abroad
Published: 2026-09-11
Mongolia’s 2025 Population and Housing Intercensal Survey counted 201,350 Mongolian citizens living abroad, according to the National Statistics Office. The office said the growth in citizens living overseas was not distributed evenly across age groups, but was concentrated among younger and working-age people. People aged 15 to 39 accounted for 59.5 percent of citizens living abroad in 2025. The office linked growth among those aged 15 to 19 to increased migration abroad for education. The survey also reported a relatively high increase among people aged 55 and above. A second report on the intercensal survey said Mongolia’s citizen population reached 3.5 million last year. The findings describe overseas residence among Mongolian citizens rather than a breakdown of foreign populations living in Mongolia.
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Environment
Ulaanbaatar Sets Plan to Cut Air Pollution by 50.5 Percent
Published: 2026-09-11
Ulaanbaatar officials presented a phased plan intended to reduce air pollution by 50.5 percent. In that city presentation, officials attributed 51 percent of pollution to 191,926 ger-district chimneys, 31 percent to vehicles, 12 percent to 273 steam boilers, and 6 percent to other sources. A separate report quoted the mayor as putting the share from old-technology steam boilers at 23 percent. The plan includes redevelopment across six sub-centers and 89 zones, aiming to remove 17,323 chimneys and reduce pollution by 11.5 percent. It also proposes solar and liquefied-gas energy solutions for 73,862 households in the three most-polluted areas. Eight boilers have been converted to gas, and officials plan to convert a further 273. Other measures include a Baganuur coal-pyrolysis plant, expanded electric-vehicle use and USD 400 million in green financing.
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Environment Minister Bans Pine-Nut Collection for 2026
Published: 2026-09-11
The environment and climate-change minister has banned pine-nut collection for household and industrial purposes in 2026, citing research on poor pine-cone production and shortages of food for wild animals. Under the relevant rules, 40 percent of the annual pine-nut output must be left for seed and wildlife food. The source reported that this year’s yield was below 40 percent. Officials were ordered to urgently bring down people who had gone into mountain areas to collect nuts so available resources could remain for wildlife. Forest Agency head T. Oyunsanaa warned that people in these areas could put themselves at risk while wild animals are actively gathering food. Officials were also instructed to promptly implement requirements and recommendations and to make information on natural resources and hunting available to the public, as brown bears are increasingly seen in settled areas amid food shortages.
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Police Find 13 Suspected Crimes in Nationwide Crackdown on Illegal Mining
Published: 2026-09-11
Police have identified 13 suspected crimes and 60 suspected violations during a nationwide inspection targeting illegal mineral exploration and extraction. A task force established under the National Police Agency checked 106 companies and 83 partnerships in Arkhangai, Bayankhongor, Bulgan, Darkhan-Uul, Dundgovi, Tuv, Selenge, Uvurkhangai, Khentii and other provinces with local environmental authorities. Cases included mining beyond licensed areas, unlicensed exploration or extraction, and use of equipment with greater capacity than permitted. In Bayankhongor’s Bombogor soum, inspectors found one suspected crime and three violations among 17 licensed companies and four small-scale mining operations. In Yeruu soum, Selenge, officers found nine heavy machines, a ZIL-131 truck and three gold-washing devices concealed at six mountain sites. Police said inspections and environmental-damage assessments will continue.
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Health
Schools and Kindergartens to Begin Child Health Screening in October
Published: 2026-09-11
Preventive health and early-detection examinations for children will run from October 1 to December 1, 2026, through schools and kindergartens. The program will cover 36-month-old kindergarten children and students in grades 1, 6 and 10. Kindergarten examinations will include autism and developmental assessments, body measurements, vision tests, and risk assessments followed by guidance where needed. School-based checks will include body measurements, vision examinations, physician consultations and risk assessments; electrocardiograms will be used to identify underlying conditions. The Education Ministry also said adolescent assessments will cover spinal and foot development as well as psychological wellbeing, with sixth-grade students specifically included in checks of back and foot development. Children identified with potential health risks can be referred for further examination, diagnosis or treatment.
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First Central Hospital Introduces Revo-I Robotic Surgery System
Published: 2026-09-11
First Central Hospital has introduced the Revo-I robotic surgery system, becoming the second hospital in Mongolia to adopt the technology after the National Cancer Center did so in December 2025. The system was designed by South Korean company Meerecompany and was purchased through state-budget investment. Surgeons operate the system to perform high-precision tasks including separating organs, suturing, cutting and removing tissue. First Central Hospital plans to use it primarily through its Urology and Andrology Center for prostate and kidney operations, while the technology can also support general, gynecological, and ear, nose and throat surgery. The hospital trained doctors and specialists in South Korea and worked with National Cancer Center staff to prepare its clinical team. It plans to expand access, develop personnel and pursue health-insurance coverage for the service.
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