Steppe fire destroys 800 hectares of land in eastern Mongolia www.xinhuanet.com

A steppe fire has devastated at least 800 hectares of land in the eastern Mongolian province of Sukhbaatar, according to the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) on Tuesday.
The fire, which erupted in Erdenetsagaan Soum (administrative subdivision), was fully extinguished by Monday evening, the NEMA reported.
According to experts, most of the steppe fires are caused by human negligence, careless handling of fire and burning of grass in the autumn.
In this regard, the NEMA has warned residents not to make bonfires or throw cigarette butts on the ground in dry weather.
According to ecologists, Mongolia is one of the countries that is most vulnerable to a changing climate in East Asia. Due to its geographical location, natural disasters associated with global climate change are increasing year by year, including forest and steppe fires, as well as desertification, land degradation and dust storms.
According to the country's Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, only 7.9 percent of Mongolia's total territory is covered by forests, while around 77 percent has been affected by desertification and land degradation.

Mongolia’s Corruption Probe at Oyu Tolgoi Mining Operations Unfolds www.discoveryalert.com.au

Mongolia's mining sector faces unprecedented scrutiny as authorities launch comprehensive investigations into alleged corruption networks affecting major resource operations. The corruption probe at Oyu Tolgoi represents a pivotal moment for the country's mining governance, with law enforcement agencies uncovering evidence that suggests systematic misconduct within procurement departments of one of the world's most significant copper projects.
Key Details: Oyu Tolgoi Corruption Investigation
Investigation Aspect Current Status
Ownership Structure 66% Rio Tinto, 34% Mongolian Government
Investigation Focus Procurement-related activities
Law Enforcement Active cooperation with authorities
Financial Impact Under assessment pending investigation
Production Status 78% Q3 2025 increase maintained
The investigation highlights vulnerabilities in high-value contract environments where substantial financial transactions create opportunities for misconduct. Mining operations involving billions in investment typically require complex vendor relationships and approval processes that can become susceptible to corruption without proper oversight mechanisms.
How Mongolian Law Enforcement Uncovered the Alleged Network
Timeline of Enforcement Actions and Evidence Discovery
Mongolian authorities initiated their investigation following reports of irregularities within Oyu Tolgoi's procurement operations. The enforcement actions demonstrate the country's enhanced capacity to investigate complex financial misconduct in its mining sector, marking a significant evolution in regulatory oversight capabilities.
Furthermore, the investigation process revealed evidence suggesting coordination between multiple parties involved in vendor selection and contract approval mechanisms. Law enforcement agencies have documented patterns that indicate systematic attempts to influence procurement decisions, potentially affecting the integrity of supplier relationships across the operation.
Internal company protocols require all procurement activities to follow established guidelines for vendor evaluation and contract authorization. However, the alleged misconduct appears to have circumvented these established procedures, raising concerns about the effectiveness of existing compliance monitoring systems in preventing corruption within large-scale mining operations.
Procurement Integrity and Supply Chain Concerns
Supply chain integrity represents a critical vulnerability in mining operations due to the high value and complexity of equipment, services, and materials required. The corruption probe at Oyu Tolgoi focuses specifically on how vendor selection processes may have been compromised, potentially affecting operational costs and efficiency through inappropriate contractor relationships.
Mining operations typically involve sophisticated procurement networks encompassing everything from specialised equipment to construction services, creating multiple opportunities for misconduct if proper oversight mechanisms fail. In addition, the investigation examines whether established competitive bidding processes were followed and if contract terms reflected fair market values.
The focus on procurement activities highlights how corruption in mining operations often targets the highest-value transactions where small percentage manipulations can result in substantial financial gains for perpetrators.
This situation reflects broader industry evolution trends that emphasise enhanced governance standards across major resource projects worldwide.
Rio Tinto's Strategic Response to Corruption Allegations
Internal Investigation Framework and Compliance Enhancement
Rio Tinto has implemented comprehensive internal review processes following the emergence of corruption allegations. The company's response strategy emphasises cooperation with law enforcement while maintaining operational continuity at the Oyu Tolgoi facility, as reported by Australian Mining Review.
The mining giant's approach includes establishing independent review protocols for all procurement activities, ensuring that vendor selection and contract approval processes receive enhanced scrutiny. These measures aim to prevent similar issues while demonstrating corporate commitment to ethical business practices in international operations.
Zero-tolerance policies regarding corruption require immediate reporting of suspicious activities and comprehensive documentation of all procurement decisions. The company has declined detailed public commentary pending investigation outcomes, focusing instead on maintaining operational performance while addressing governance concerns.
Corporate Governance Evolution and Executive Accountability
Recent corporate governance restructuring at Rio Tinto includes board downsizing initiatives designed to enhance decision-making efficiency and accountability. The departure of board director Martina Merz reflects broader organisational changes aimed at improving oversight effectiveness across international operations.
Executive accountability measures under evaluation include enhanced reporting requirements for subsidiary operations and strengthened compliance monitoring systems. These initiatives respond to investor expectations for improved governance standards following various legal challenges the company has faced in recent years, as highlighted by Seeking Alpha. 

Rio Tinto and SPIC Qiyuan begin battery-swap truck trial in Mongolia www.mining-technology.com

Rio Tinto, in partnership with China’s State Power Investment Corporation (SPIC) Qiyuan, has initiated a trial for battery-swap technology for electric haul trucks at the Oyu Tolgoi copper mine located in Mongolia.  
The trial represents Rio Tinto’s inaugural use of this technology in its surface mining operations.  
According to Rio Tinto, the initiative is a significant advancement in creating affordable technology and gaining operational insights necessary to lower emissions from mining haulage fleets, which are the major contributors to the company’s scope 1 and 2 carbon footprints. 
In the past year, the partnership has delivered and installed a fleet of eight 91-tonne (t) Tonly trucks, along with 13 batteries, each with capacity of 800kWh, as well as a battery-swapping station, a static charger, and the necessary infrastructure.  
Rio Tinto global equipment and diesel transition general manager Ben Woffenden said: “The launch of this trial with SPIC Qiyuan is an important milestone, harnessing China’s widely used and leading battery-swap technology in a partnership that supports Rio Tinto’s drive to accelerate low-carbon innovation.
“The rapid deployment and fast-tracked operational learnings have highlighted the importance of partnerships in advancing low-emission haulage alternatives for our business. 
“By working with partners such as SPIC Qiyuan and Tonly, Rio Tinto is rapidly identifying and adopting cost-effective, proven innovations that can support operational excellence and advance decarbonisation goals.” 
The trucks will be used by Oyu Tolgoi for constructing tailings dams and transporting topsoil, providing Rio Tinto with practical experience in operating and maintaining a complete battery electric truck and swap charging system. 
The battery-swapping technology enables the replacement of an electric mining truck’s battery at a swap station in under seven minutes, eliminating the need for a fixed charging facility.  
This approach is said to reduce downtime and enhance equipment efficiency.  
Qiyuan Green Power general manager Guo Peng said: “We are honoured to partner with Rio Tinto to launch this milestone battery-swap truck trial at the Oyu Tolgoi mine.
“SPIC Qiyuan is committed to advancing green energy technology innovation, and this partnership showcases the significant potential of our proven battery-swap solutions in helping global mining customers reduce emissions and enhance operational efficiency.  
“We look forward to deepening our collaboration with Rio Tinto to jointly explore broader prospects for the mining industry’s low-carbon transition.” 
The trial is set to run until the end of 2026 and will assist Rio Tinto in identifying opportunities for broader implementation of low-emission technology. 
Rio Tinto’s global fleet comprises 700 haul trucks, including around 100 small to medium-class vehicles with payload capacities ranging from 100t to 200t, suitable for current-generation battery-swap technology.

The European Union - Mongolia Business and Investment Forum launches a new era of economic partnership www.eeas.europa.eu

The first-ever European Union - Mongolia Business and Investment Forum was held in Ulaanbaatar, marking a historic milestone in strengthening economic ties between the European Union and Mongolia.
The forum aimed to connect the EU and Mongolian private sectors, stimulate sustainable economic growth, expand trade relations, and promote long-term investment opportunities. The event brought together more than 700 participants, including high-level representatives from the European Council, the European Investment Bank, the Prime Minister of Mongolia, cabinet ministers, and senior government officials. Approximately 70 European companies, leading industrial associations, over 200 Mongolian enterprises, as well as international financial institutions, development partners, commercial banks, entrepreneurs, and other key stakeholders also took part. 
As part of the EU’s Global Gateway strategy and the Team Europe approach, cooperation with Mongolia is focused on building sustainable, resilient, and inclusive infrastructure that supports the country’s long-term development. The EU has been a steadfast partner of Mongolia, granting preferential market access through the Generalised Scheme of Preferences (GSP) and promoting democratic and economic reforms. Under the Multiannual Indicative Programme 2021–2027, EU engagement prioritises the green energy transition, renewable resources, sustainable connectivity, water and waste management, and forest partnerships—all closely aligned with Mongolia’s Vision 2050. In addition, Global Gateway investments advance digital transformation, economic diversification, and democratic governance, ensuring that cooperation delivers sustainable economic growth, social and environmental benefits, and new opportunities for both Mongolian and European businesses. 
Building on this foundation, the forum opened with high-level addresses and plenary sessions that explored Mongolia’s foreign direct investment opportunities and business climate. Senior representatives from the Government of Mongolia, the European Union, chambers of commerce, and leading companies underscored their shared commitment to fostering a more diversified, competitive, and sustainable economy. H.E. Mr. Zandanshatar Gombojav, the Prime Minister of Mongolia, emphasized at the opening: “The Government of Mongolia is placing strong emphasis on advancing industrial development and further improving the investment climate. We firmly believe that the knowledge, experience, advanced technologies, innovation, and investment of European businesses will play a vital role in helping us realise this ambition. As a trusted, reliable, and long-term partner, Mongolia is committed to consistently implement policies and reforms that protect investor interests and ensure a stable and predictable environment”. 
The two-day forum featured moderated dialogues across priority sectors, including renewable energy and green technology, healthcare, textiles and garments, mining and critical raw materials, infrastructure, agribusiness, forestry, and consumer goods. Entrepreneurs also presented their innovations in a pitching competition, while European Union companies introduced their products and technologies. Matchmaking and one-on-one meetings created further opportunities for concrete partnerships and investment discussions. 
One of the highlights of the forum was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the European Investment Bank (EIB) and the Government of Mongolia, which could unlock up to €1 billion in investment for renewable energy, modern power networks, sustainable transport, and other projects driving the country’s green transition. The partnership, which has the full support of the European Commission, creates a pathway for significant new investment in clean, affordable, and secure energy for people and businesses. 
EIB Vice-President Teresa Czerwińska, who signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and oversees the Bank’s operations in Mongolia, said: “I am honoured to mark this new chapter in our partnership with Mongolia. Through the EU’s Global Gateway framework, the EIB aims to boost investment in clean energy and sustainable infrastructure that strengthen resilience to climate change. Together, we can accelerate Mongolia’s green transition — creating new opportunities, supporting inclusive growth, and building a more sustainable and prosperous future for its people.” 
H.E. Ms. Ina Marčiulionytė, Ambassador of the European Union to Mongolia in her closing remarks highlighted: “This forum has shown the breadth of opportunities that exist when European and Mongolian businesses come together. From renewable energy to healthcare, from infrastructure to critical raw materials, we are charting new pathways for cooperation. The European Union is proud to stand alongside Mongolia as a partner in sustainable development and inclusive growth, fostering trust, driving innovation, and building a truly mutually beneficial partnership”. 
About Global Gateway 
The Global Gateway stands for sustainable and trusted connections that work for people and the planet. It helps to tackle the most pressing global challenges, from fighting climate change to improving health systems and boosting the competitiveness and security of global supply chains. 
About European Union 
The European Union is an economic and political union of 27 European countries. It is founded on the values of respect for human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law and respect for human rights, including the rights of persons belonging to minorities. It acts globally to promote sustainable development of societies, the environment, and economies, so that everyone can benefit.

Building Brighter Futures: ADB’s Support for Education in Mongolia www.adb.org

Sustaining Access to and Quality of Education During Economic Difficulties Project is constructing and expanding 21 schools and kindergartens in Darkhan-Uul, Govi-Altai, and Govisumber provinces, as well as in Ulaanbaatar, increasing education capacity. These new facilities are energy-efficient, climate-resilient, and inclusive—designed to serve children of all ages, genders, and abilities.
The project also invests in digital classrooms, curriculum and assessment system reforms, and school-based management. It has introduced nationwide subject-specific learning assessments, streamlined entrance exam evaluations through technology, updated standards for teaching and learning materials, supplied textbooks, and strengthened human resource capacity. These efforts have expanded access to education and led to an 11% increase in student achievement across 146 pilot schools.
By combining inclusive infrastructure with systemic reforms, the project is enabling more than 10,000 children to access safer, smarter, and more equitable education—delivering lasting benefits for students, families, and communities throughout Mongolia.

Mongolia to collaborate with China, South Korea and UN to tackle increasing yellow dust storms www.azertag.az

North Korean Interpreter Defects in Mongolia, Striking Blow to Kim Jong-un’s Regime www.visiontimes.com

A North Korean interpreter reportedly defected to the South Korean Embassy in Ulaanbaatar during an official delegation visit to Mongolia in late August, marking a rare and significant blow to Kim Jong-un’s regime, according to diplomatic sources.
The delegation was led by Tae Hyung-cheol, president of the Academy of Social Sciences, one of Pyongyang’s leading policy institutes. The interpreter’s escape was kept secret for weeks before being confirmed by media outlets in Seoul.
Officials in South Korea have declined to comment, citing security concerns. However, Kyodo News reported that Pyongyang has already ordered the replacement of its ambassador to Mongolia. It remains unclear whether the ambassador was directly involved in the incident, but sources say he is now under investigation.
The interpreter’s identity has not been disclosed. Such roles are typically reserved for highly trusted elite members who are permitted to travel abroad—making this defection particularly embarrassing for the regime.
Tae’s trip was his first visit to Mongolia in seven years. While there, he met with pro–North Korean organizations to rally support for Pyongyang’s hardline stance against Seoul and its rejection of Korean reunification.
State media in Pyongyang made no mention of the visit, suggesting an active effort to suppress news of the defection.
The episode comes as the Workers’ Party of Korea (WPK), which recently celebrated its 80th anniversary, tightens internal controls and seeks closer ties with its few remaining allies.
First military defection under President Lee Jae-myung
In a separate development, South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff confirmed that a North Korean soldier crossed the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) on Oct. 19 and surrendered to South Korean forces, expressing his wish to “start a new life in the South.”
According to the Chosun Ilbo, the soldier is being held in military custody while investigators determine his motives.
This marks the first military defection since President Lee Jae-myung took office, following two civilian crossings earlier this year on July 3 and July 31.
The last known soldier defection occurred in August 2024, when a serviceman crossed the border in Goseong County, Gangwon Province. Officials said no unusual military movements have been detected in the North since the most recent incident.
North Korea’s deepening economic crisis—marked by food shortages, hyperinflation, and corruption—has fueled a surge in escape attempts despite the grave risks.
Before the pandemic, nearly 3,000 North Koreans fled the country annually.
Border closures briefly reduced that number to double digits, but defections rebounded into the hundreds by 2024 as smuggling networks recovered.
At the same time, Kim Jong-un’s regime has intensified brutal punishments for those caught attempting to flee.
In February 2025, Daily NK reported that three men in South Hwanghae Province were executed by firing squad—each struck by nearly 90 rounds before their bodies were burned at the scene.
Eyewitnesses said elementary school students were forced to watch, with many collapsing in fear.
The victims—two brothers surnamed Kim and their friend Lee, all in their 30s—had spent months building a small boat to escape to South Korea.
They launched in January but lost their bearings in thick fog, mistakenly hailing a North Korean patrol vessel they believed to be South Korean fishermen. They were captured on Jan. 6.
On Feb. 20, residents of Ongjin County were ordered to gather at a rice field to witness the execution. The men were tied to wooden posts, blindfolded, and gagged before an officer declared: “Traitors deserve to die. In this country, they will not be buried.”
Each was struck by roughly 90 bullets before the remains were incinerated. Witnesses described the scene as “beyond recognition.”
A local source told Daily NK that defectors once faced up to 15 years of forced labor, but the regime has now reinstated the death penalty for escape attempts.
Analysis: The growing cracks in Kim’s control
The twin defections—one by a military officer and another by a trusted interpreter—signal deepening fractures inside North Korea’s ruling system, analysts say.
For Kim Jong-un, who relies on loyalty and secrecy to sustain power, the interpreter’s defection from an overseas mission is particularly damaging, exposing internal dissent even among the elite.
“It’s a symbolic failure,” said a former South Korean diplomat. “When even your interpreters start running, it means the trust network is breaking.”
Meanwhile, mounting executions and public fear reveal a regime under increasing pressure from economic collapse, international sanctions, and isolation—conditions that continue to push ordinary citizens, and even loyal cadres, to risk everything for a chance at freedom.
By Jun Wang

Ulaanbaatar Signs Public-Private Partnership Agreement for Waste-to-Energy Plant www.montsame.mn

Under the Public-Private Partnership Law, Ulaanbaatar city signed a Public-Private Partnership Agreement on Waste-to-Energy Plant Construction on October 24, 2025.
The Agreement was signed by Nyambaatar Khishgee, the Governor of the Capital City and Mayor of Ulaanbaatar, and Tang Ya Yu, the Project Manager and the Director for the Ulaanbaatar Waste-to-Energy Plant, and Chairman of the Board of Renshou Sichuan LLC, the company selected as the project contractor, specialized in energy investment and environmental protection.
The USD 206.5 million plant will process 1,500 tons of waste per day, and is scheduled for completion in 30 months, after which ownership will be transferred to the state in 28 years.
The plant is expected to operate 8,000 hours annually, generating 35 MW of electricity. The electricity production cost is estimated to be around 14 cents per kWh, with electricity to be sold to the Ministry of Energy at around 8.4 cents per kWh. The remaining 5.6 cents will be covered by compensation fees collected from businesses that generate large amounts of industrial waste, serving as waste disposal fees transferred to the investor, according to the Governor's Office of the Capital City of Ulaanbaatar.
The plant will incinerate waste not only from Ulaanbaatar but also from Zuunmod, Hunnu city, Altanbulag, and Sergelen soums of Tuv aimag, free of charge. Additionally, waste buried in Ulaanchuluut and Tsagaandavaa landfills over the past 10 years will be excavated and incinerated to help restore the local environment and ecology.
Mayor Kh. Nyambaatar emphasized the project’s ecological importance, stating, “To transform Ulaanbaatar into a modern city, we need an engineering supply unit. It will enable a shift to financing through consumer tariffs and covering investment costs with revenues. The Waste-to-Energy Plant project is unique as the private sector provides 100 percent of the funding, and for the first time, the Government guarantees the public-private partnership. Globally, the concept of ‘urban mining’ is expanding, excavating previously buried waste, converting it to energy, and restoring the environment.”
Currently, Ulaanbaatar generates an average of 1,500 tons of household and industrial waste daily, which is buried at two nearby landfill sites.

World Bank Launches $78M Power Grid Project to Boost Mongolia’s Energy Security www.devdiscourse.com

In a landmark move to modernize Mongolia’s electricity infrastructure and accelerate the country's shift to a low-carbon economy, the World Bank has approved a US$78 million investment for the Fourth Energy Sector Project. This initiative aims to strengthen the capacity, resilience, and sustainability of Mongolia’s Central Energy System (CES), while expanding access to renewable energy and reliable electricity for thousands of households across the country’s central and western regions.
The financing comes through the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) and supports Mongolia’s broader ambitions under its New Recovery Policy and Government Action Plan for 2024–2028, which prioritize infrastructure development, green energy transition, and inclusive economic growth.
“The World Bank is pleased to continue supporting the Government of Mongolia in its efforts to strengthen the reliability and sustainability of the country’s electricity system,” said Taehyun Lee, World Bank Country Manager for Mongolia. “This project will help advance Mongolia’s low-carbon development goals while supporting inclusive economic growth and job creation.”
Project Overview: What the Fourth Energy Sector Project Covers
At its core, the project focuses on reinforcing Mongolia’s national grid and preparing the system to better integrate renewable energy. Key infrastructure components include:
Construction of a new 220 kV high-voltage transmission line linking the existing Mandal Substation to a new substation in Uvurkhangai Province.
Expansion and modernization of substations in Mandalgovi, Arvaikheer, and Bayankhongor, three critical hubs in the CES network.
Development of 110kV associated transmission lines to connect these substations efficiently.
The project will deliver a significant upgrade to the country’s electricity infrastructure, addressing one of Mongolia’s long-standing challenges: frequent power outages and limited grid coverage, particularly in sparsely populated or rural regions.
A Major Boost to Clean Energy Integration
Mongolia’s Central Energy System currently struggles with both capacity constraints and fossil fuel dependency, primarily coal-fired generation. By increasing grid capacity by over 590 megawatts (MW), the new project will reduce outages by nearly 50% in target areas and unlock the potential to integrate at least 150 MW of wind and solar PV capacity into the national grid.
This aligns with Mongolia’s commitment under the Paris Agreement, where the country pledged to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 22.7% by 2030 and achieve 30% renewable energy penetration by 2030.
The new infrastructure will make it technically and economically feasible to bring clean energy projects online, especially in areas with high wind and solar potential such as the Gobi region and the steppe belt.
Improving Access and Climate Resilience
Approximately 200,000 residents across central and western Mongolia are expected to benefit directly from enhanced electricity reliability, a key enabler of economic opportunity, health, education, and digital services in remote areas.
The project also incorporates climate resilience measures, or “climate proofing,” in the design and construction of substations and transmission lines. These will ensure that Mongolia’s power infrastructure can withstand climate-induced hazards, such as extreme temperatures, dust storms, and seasonal floods, which are becoming more frequent due to climate change.
Part of a Regional Clean Energy Transformation
The Fourth Energy Sector Project is part of the World Bank’s Accelerating Sustainable Energy Transition Multi-Phase Programmatic Approach (ASET-MPA). This initiative aims to support countries across East Asia and the Pacific in scaling up renewable energy, integrating clean energy into grids, and implementing reforms for sustainable power sector development.
For Mongolia, this represents more than an infrastructure upgrade—it is a strategic shift toward a resilient, sustainable, and inclusive energy future.
Mongolia’s Energy Journey with the World Bank
Since Mongolia joined the World Bank in 1991, the institution has provided over US$1.5 billion in funding across sectors, with energy infrastructure being a recurring priority. Previous phases of energy sector development focused on transmission upgrades, energy efficiency, rural electrification, and technical assistance for policy and regulatory reform.
The Fourth Energy Sector Project builds upon those foundations, introducing modern engineering, climate-smart design, and forward-looking investment to prepare Mongolia’s grid for the coming decades.
As the country moves to meet its climate goals, create jobs, and improve service delivery, this project signals a strong partnership between Mongolia and the World Bank to tackle global and local energy challenges in tandem.

Inside Mongolia’s ‘Mars camp’: The extreme adventure that wants to turn tourists into astronauts www.cnn.com

It’s day 25. You wake up in your bunk pod in a snow-capped Martian landscape, far from civilization. Outside it’s -30 degrees Celsius (-22 degrees Fahrenheit). After meditating and eating a breakfast of freeze-dried dumplings, you and your six-person crew don space suits over your thermal underwear and head out into the sandstorm on a mission.
This isn’t a fever dream. It’s a month-long survival challenge deep in Mongolia’s Gobi Desert that’s designed to simulate life on Mars — for tourists.
The project, called the MARS-V Project, is under development by MARS-V, a non-governmental organization based in Mongolia’s capital, Ulaanbaatar. They’re working to build a fully-fledged Mars analog station in the Gobi to prepare for human travel to the red planet — and expect to welcome the first tourists to the mock Mars camp by 2029.
Why Mongolia?
Nowhere on Earth mimics the geography and climate of Mars more closely than Mongolia’s Gobi. An arid, barren landscape with extreme temperature swings from 45 to -40 degrees Celsius (113 to -40 degrees Fahrenheit). The iron oxide-tinted soil has a reddish hue, making it look eerily Martian.
This combination of isolation, altitude and temperature is what makes the site so scientifically valuable as a training ground for scientists and astronauts — and as a test site for equipment and rovers.
For MARS-V, it also offers another potential: tourism.
Mongila's Gobi Desert has the same reddish hue as the Martian landscape, thanks to high levels of iron oxide in the soil. Photo credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/MSSS (left) / MARS-V (right)
“Your objective is to survive in an environment that is very, very isolated,’ says Enkhtuvshin Doyodkhuu, MARS-V CEO. “You have to have this simulation mindset that you’re on another planet: you need to feel that if you don’t follow protocol, you die.”
Surviving the simulation
Each participant will have to pass physical, psychological and mental agility tests, then undergo a three-month virtual astronaut training program on everything from oxygen protocol to the psychology of isolation.
Once you arrive in Mongolia, it’s three days of in-person drills in Ulaanbaatar with your new teammates before handing in your phone and beginning the ten-hour journey by bumpy road to the site, drifting away from civilization across stretches of pale-red dust.
“It’s surreal,” says Doyodkhuu. “This feeling of vastness, of endless empty space — the Gobi really gives you that “Mad Max” kind of feeling. It’s beautiful if you think about it, but it can be overwhelming to some.”
Your home for the month? Mars “habitats” — interconnected modular pods with living quarters, a laboratory, and a greenhouse. Each day begins with the same strict daily regimen that real astronauts might face: vitamins, meditation, exercise, breakfast, and a team briefing for the day ahead.
“Meditation has to be a big part of the program,” says Doyodkhuu. “One very risky thing when it comes to Mars pioneers is we don’t really know what’s going to happen with their psychology, because no other person has been away from Earth that long.”
Doyodkhuu says the Mars simulation for tourists could have a similar psychological effect.
“You’ll have this sort of claustrophobia; you’ll miss your Earth.”
Days at the Mars-V camp are filled with challenges and tasks: for example, the crew might take the rover out to conduct geological mapping or collect soil samples. Communication with “Earth” (the Mars-V mission support team) happens on a timed delay to mimic interplanetary lag. Simulations take place between October and March in brutal winter conditions, when the Gobi freezes solid.
“Minus 27 degrees Celsius (-16.6 degrees Fahrenheit) would be a warm day,” laughs the CEO. Crews wear thermal base layers, overalls, and analog spacesuits when working outdoors.
To make it as realistic as possible, the team from Mars-V will hide all external support out of sight.
“Compared to an Arctic expedition, this is controlled,” Doyodkhuu says. “If there was any real chance of death, we’d stop the simulation.”
Meals will feature freeze-dried Mongolian dishes — like rehydrated dumplings or mutton stews — designed to mimic astronaut rations while honoring local culture.
There’s even a design echo between the nomadic Mongolian ger — the traditional felt tent sometimes referred to as yurts — and the Martian dome prototypes being developed by the MARS-V engineering team.
“We [Mongolians] have thousands of years of history living in isolated places, with very limited resources,” Doyodkhuu explains. “We’re just taking that idea to another planet.”
Part of history
The idea of trialing planetary life on Earth isn’t new. NASA and ESA have long used analog sites for experiments and training.
But MARS-V’s plan to merge scientific research with tourism arrives at a pivotal moment: private space travel is finally edging into the mainstream. SpaceX and Blue Origin are drawing celebrities like Katy Perry, Tom Hanks, and Kim Kardashian into a new era of luxury space tourism.
But, for those who can’t afford a $28 million ticket to space, Mongolia’s MARS-V camp will offer a more accessible way to experience that cosmic allure at a fraction of the cost, expected to be around $6,000 per person for a month at the camp, and pre-camp training and evaluation.
It’s Mars tourism, without the launch cost — or the suffocating risk of decompression.
MARS-V’s analog station is in the early stages of development, with designs for the habitat, space suits and food completed. Doyodkhuu says they expect the habitats to be ready and open to the public within the next two to three years.
“You have a lot of time to think out there,” says Doyodkhuu. “Being in this otherworldly place for one month trying to survive with five other people, it gives you this renewed outlook on life.”
“If you believe that humans will become a multiplanetary species in the future, actually being part of this history, going to an analog astronaut training center and challenging yourself, is going to leave a big impact on people.”
The soil in the Gobi Desert is rich in iron oxide, giving the soil a reddish hue similar to the Martian landscape. MARS-V
For the right traveler — whether thrill-seeker, explorer or space enthusiast — it may be the ultimate holiday. But if the thought of freezing cold isolation and bunk pods sounds more like punishment than adventure, Mongolia’s Gobi already offers glimpses of the otherworldly in a far more comfortable setting.
During the summer at the Gobi’s luxury Three Camel Lodge, travelers can switch thermals for a spa towel and freeze-dried stews for an extensive whiskey selection. You will still need to strap in for the journey though, it takes 7-8 hours to reach the lodge from Ulaanbaatar. This is after all one of the most remote places on Earth - and perhaps the closest you can get to Mars, without leaving the planet.