Currently, a total of 57 million tons of copper reserves, 2,500 tons of gold, 37.2 billion tons of coal, 197 thousand tons of uranium reserves have been discovered around the country. These numbers are expected to grow in the future with the upcoming explorations. “Looking at the mineral resources, processing, supply, production and recycling as a whole, Mongolia has the potential to sustainably supply minerals to the global commodity market,” remarked the minister.

The Government is planning to build several preparation plants including an oil refinery, synthetic natural gas plant, metallurgical plant and copper smelter with an aim to develop transparency and responsibility in the mining and heavy industry, increase the country’s wealth fund and developing a balanced, multi-pillar economic structure.

These plants will apply modern and advanced technologies that are environmentally friendly and low emission. For example, in an effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, some companies are producing cathode copper from ore stockpile of the copper-molybdenum deposit that is not suitable for ore processing by applying advanced technology, known as “Solventextraction- electrolysis”. As demand for some minerals grow, prices increase and income rises there will be definite opportunities for the Government of Mongolia to develop and finance production that is directed towards reducing greenhouse gas emissions and is environmentally friendly.

So the officials are deeply aware of the fact that the future development of the country depends on the proper management of wealth accumulated during global boom periods. As a result, some ministers have been studying Norway and Kazakhstan, countries that have years of experience and expertise in wealth fund management, governance and transparency before they attend Economic Forum 2018 in Davos, Switzerland.

As of 2017, mining sector makes up 86 percent of Mongolia’s total exports, 71 percent of the total industrial output and almost 30 percent of total state budget revenues.

Tselmeg.Z

What lies behind the country’s prowess in opera? Guardian reporter Kate Molleson traveled to Mongolia to find out. Her conclusion: The Soviets brought it with them when Mongolia became the first satellite state of the Soviet Union in 1921.

But Mongolians had something to contribute, notes Ms. Molleson. Mongolians have a centuries-old tradition of throat singing, a challenging form of overtone singing that requires great vocal stamina and – perhaps – has inspired young opera singers.

These beekeepers carve beehives out of wood, smoke them over beeswax and moss for two days to make them appealing to bees, and then place them high in tree canopies where the bees can live safely, away from creatures that might disturb them.

Harvesting the honey at such great heights is dangerous, but most of the families have been doing it for generations, reports the BBC.

In brisk trading New York Comex copper for delivery in March were flat compared to Wednesday settlement price trading at $3.0855 a pound ($6,802 per tonne). Copper is still down sharply for the week after suffering its worst trading session of the year yesterday.

While down slightly from December (traditionally a high-import month when Chinese traders try to meet annual volume targets), January customs data from China showed import volumes of unwrought copper rose 16% compared to last year totalling 450,000 tonnes during the month. 2017's annual total came in at 4.7m tonnes, down 5.7% from the year before.

The January jump in copper concentrate cargoes were even more impressive, increasing 25% from the same month last year to total 1.6m tonnes in January. China's copper concentrate imports reached a record high in November of 1.78m and for the year reached a new record of 17.3m tonnes.

The increased volumes over 2017 are indicative of Beijing's clampdown on copper scrap imports as part of the country's crackdown on pollution and consolidation of heavy industries. A recent report by BMO Capital Markets forecasts that China's scrap imports could halve in 2018 boosting concentrate cargoes to another all-time high this year.

China's iron ore imports rose in January even as steel mills are idled as part of a government drive against pollution and stockpiles at ports reached new peaks above 150m tonnes.

China consumes more than two-thirds of the seaborne iron ore market and produces as much steel as the rest of the world combined.

Beijing's winter war on smog has concentrated on the country's steelmaking hubs near the capital where mandated cuts came into effect in October. Chinese steelmakers are increasingly seeking out high-quality imports over domestic ore in anticipation of restart of production in mid-March.

Imports of high-quality iron ore fines and lump ore from Australia, Brazil and South Africa jumped 19% from December to just above 100m tonnes last month. Cargoes reached a record high of 102.8m in September last year.

Total shipments for 2017 topped record imports in 2016 of just over 1 billion tonnes.

The Steel Index benchmark price for Northern China 62% Fe ore climbed for the fifth straight session on Friday to trade at $77.85 a tonne, up 7% since the beginning of the month as it continues to rally from lows in the $50s struck in June last year.

It initially apologised on Weibo, China's Twitter-like platform, on Tuesday over the post.

China sees the Tibetan spiritual leader of the autonomous region as a separatist threat.

The advert showed a car with the words: "Look at situations from all angles, and you will become more open."

Instagram is blocked in China, but the post was reposted by Chinese internet users, causing a commotion.

The official Chinese news agency, Xinhua, said the German carmaker had written to China's ambassador to Germany expressing a sincere apology.

According to Xinhua, the letter said Daimler had no intention of questioning Beijing's sovereignty over Tibet and would offer "no support, assistance, aid or help to anyone who intentionally subverts or attempts to subvert China's sovereignty and territorial integrity".

"Daimler deeply regrets the hurt and grief that its negligent and insensitive mistake has caused to the Chinese people. Daimler fully and unreservedly recognises the seriousness of the situation, which the company has caused and sincerely apologises for," the letter apparently read.

The company's first apology was welcomed by China's foreign ministry but dismissed by the People's Daily official newspaper, which said it "lacks sincerity and reflects the German carmaker's lack of understanding of Chinese culture and values".

It is not the first instance of frantic corporate backtracking after causing offence in one of the world's largest consumer markets.

Earlier this year, China shut down the Chinese websites of Marriott International for a week, after the firm listed Tibet and others as separate countries in a Chinese-language questionnaire to customers.

The problem was compounded when Twitter users noticed that the hotel chain's official Twitter account had "liked" a post by Friends of Tibet - a group that supports Tibetan independence.

Marriott went on to begin dismissal proceedings against the employee responsible.

China has for centuries claimed sovereignty over Tibet and sent in troops to enforce its rule in 1950. The Dalai Lama fled after a failed uprising in 1959 and is now in exile in India.

Mongolia's economic growth was higher than expected, said Geoff Gottlieb, who led an IMF team to Ulan Bator, the capital city of Mongolia from Jan. 24 to Feb. 6.

During the evaluation trip, Gottlieb and his team discussed, with the related authorities of Mongolia, the third review of the three-year Extended Fund Facility (EFF) arrangement approved on May 24, 2017, in an amount equivalent to about 434.3 million U.S dollars.

The arrangement is part of 5.5 billion dollars from donor countries, including Japan and South Korea, to support stabilizing the economy and lay the basis for sustainable, inclusive growth.

Mongolia has pledged to end expansionary monetary policies, enforce austerity measures, raise some taxes and reduce welfare spending.

"Mongolia's economy is recovering, reflecting strong international demand for commodities and improving confidence; key macro-economic quantitative targets, including the fiscal deficit and international reserves, have been achieved by large margins," Gottlieb said in a statement.

"However, there are several risks to economic growth. In particular, there is a tendency that external demand for raw materials might reduce and oil price increase," Gottlieb said.

The IMF team leader urged the Mongolian authorities to continue building buffers and implementing the structural reforms necessary for high and sustainable growth.

"Thanks to the IMF's program, many positive changes have been observed in the Mongolian economy," Mongolian Finance Minister Chimed Khurelbaatar said.

"Last year, our economic situation was difficult. Foreign exchange reserves accounted to 1 billion U.S. dollars. Early 2017, we paid 580 million U.S. dollars for bond repayment and we faced a lot of difficult situations," said Khurelbaatar.

"However, with implementing the IMF's program, the economy has recovered and even grown by 5 percent over the past period. Foreign currency reserves exceeded 3 billion U.S dollars, and we drew foreign direct investments of 1.1 million U.S dollars," said Khurelbaatar.

The minister also noted that Mongolia's budget revenues exceeded 600 billion MNT or tugrik (246.3 million dollars).

"In 2018 and 2019, a decision was made on increasing salaries in line with the inflation rate," he said.

The IMF has noted that its program helped resolve Mongolia's foreign debt issue in a positive way, and Mongolia's foreign currency reserves increased by 1.8 billion dollars.

In late November, Khurelbaatar said Mongolia's economic growth was expected at 1 percent in 2017 and 4.2 percent in 2018.

The IMF has predicted Mongolia's GDP growth at 5.0 percent in 2018 and 6.3 percent in 2019.

The delegates got acquainted with activities of ‘Uvs Food’ JSC and exchanged views on feasibility to sell seabuckthorn products on Russian market.

They also talked with authorities of the province about infrastructure work progress of Borshoo-Khandgait border checkpoint, construction of M-54 road in routes between Kyzyl-Chadan-Tyva and preparation of ‘Uvs Days’ event to be held in May in Kyzyl, Tvya. Within the framework of the event sports and cultural activities, joint forum to present tourism opportunities in Uvs province and ‘Made in Uvs’ exhibition will be organized.

Moreover, a joint meeting between businessmen of Uvs and Tyva was held discussing pressing issues to them and agreed to collaborate.

Representatives of Tyva Government and Chamber of Commerce and Industry participated in inauguration of ‘Lunar New Year-2018’ exhibition and agricultural companies and individuals from Tyva introduced their goods such as honey, cookies, meat and meat products and breakfast products at the exhibition.

B.Batchimeg

Earlier this week, Chairman of the Democratic Party Erdene Sodnomzundui submitted a questionnaire on LCIA’s decision, Government’s measures and involvement on the issue. Sumiyabazar Dolgorsuren, Minister of Mining and Heavy Industry, has previously confirmed that EMC is obliged to pay monthly payment of USD 900 thousand.

On the other hand, Minister of Justice and Home Affairs Nyamdorj Tsend claimed that the dispute is between Standard Bank and EMC only and denied any involvement of Mongolian Government in the dispute, while Minister of Finance Khurelbaatar Chimed was clueless about the situation as he commented, “I do not have details on EMC.”

The Government has been obliged to repay a total of USD 102 million, including the legal costs, penalty and interest of the last decade.

According to a reliable source, LCIA has sanctioned the operations of EMC and suspended its financial accounts. The legal proceedings started about a decade ago after Batkhuu Sharavlamdan, CEO of Just Group, was accused of Loaning USD 140 million from Standard Bank of South Africa, collateralizing Mongolian Government’s 51 percent ownership of EMC.

Tugsbilig.B

Calling localities an important force for China-Russia all-round win-win cooperation, Xi said he and President Putin decided to hold years of China-Russia local cooperation and exchange in 2018 and 2019.

Xi voiced his hope that it would inspire enthusiasm for local bilateral cooperation, further tap cooperation potential and encourage more localities, enterprises and people to join the cause of China-Russia friendly cooperation and common development.

Both China and Russia are at an important period of national development and rejuvenation, Xi said in his message, adding the development plans of both countries enjoy a high degree of affinity, and bilateral local cooperation is promising.

He called on both sides to make the event a new spotlight in bilateral ties, and work together for a splendid future in relations.

Putin hailed the progress of Russia-China all-round partnership of strategic coordination, adding that the years of local cooperation and exchange would cement contact and cooperation between various Russian federal subjects and Chinese localities.

There will be more than 100 activities including an investment conference; trade, industry and agriculture exhibitions; seminars; art festivals; and exchange of visits.

Representatives of the two countries will meet at the International Economic Forum in St. Petersburg, Eastern Economic Forum and Russia-China Expo, Putin said, adding that he believes the years will fully exploit the potential for local cooperation.

Chinese Vice Premier Wang Yang addressed the opening ceremony in Harbin, capital of northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, together with Russian Deputy Prime Minister Yury Trutnev, also presidential envoy to the Far Eastern Federal District of Russia.

They also hosted the meeting of the Intergovernmental Commission for Cooperation of the Northeast China and the Far East and Baikal Region of Russia.

Wang hailed the progress of China-Russia local cooperation, citing rapid growth of trade between China and Russia's Far East, as well as enhanced investment cooperation and cultural exchanges, and progress in interconnectivity projects.

China appreciates Russia's new measures to promote development in the Far East and facilitate people-to-people exchanges, and expects these measures to have good outcomes, Wang said.

Calling China one of Russia's most important political and economic partners, Trutnev said Russia hopes to work closely with China to speed up infrastructure building, and boost local cooperation.