“Chinggis Khaan” International Exhibition to Be Displayed in Prague This March www.montsame.mn

In commemoration of the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Mongolia and the Czech Republic, the International Exhibition themed “Chinggis Khaan”  is scheduled to be displayed at the Historical Building of the Czech National Museum in Prague, the Czech Republic, on March 10-June 22, 2025. 
The Exhibition will feature a total of 698 artifacts and cultural items from 170 collections, provided by the Chinggis Khaan National Museum of Mongolia and the Institute of Archaeology of the Mongolian Academy of Sciences. 
The Chinggis Khaan National Museum has ensured that the transportation process of artifacts was carried out in accordance with Mongolia’s “Regulations on the Transportation of Tangible Cultural Heritage” and under the supervision of customs, police, intelligence authorities, and relevant sectoral inspectors. Artifacts have been packed using custom-made, acid-free packaging and specially sanitized containers, which were commissioned from South Korea. The artifacts are covered by international insurance and will remain under the Museum’s responsibility until their return.
In June 2024, Director of the Chinggis Khaan National Museum of Mongolia Chuluun Sampildondov and Director General of the National Museum of the Czech Republic Michal Lukeš signed an "Agreement on Cooperation in Organizing an Exhibition and Providing Artifacts" in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.

UNDP Supports Mongolia’s Effort to Investing in Sustainable Care Economy www.undp.org

Visit to Japan by H.E. Ms. Batmunkh BATTSETSEG, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Mongolia www.mofa.go.jp

H.E. Ms. Batmunkh BATTSETSEG, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Mongolia, will visit Japan from February 28 to March 5, as a guest of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
During her stay in Japan, Minister Battsetseg will hold a Japan-Mongolia Foreign Ministers’ meeting and a working dinner with Mr. IWAYA Takeshi, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, where they will exchange views on bilateral relations and regional affairs etc.
Japan and Mongolia, which are “special strategic partners for peace and prosperity,” are working to further strengthen and expand cooperation between the two countries both in the political and economic fields under the “Joint Statement” signed by the leaders of the two countries in 2022. It is expected that this visit by Minister Battsetseg will further strengthen Japan-Mongolia relations

Mongolia and China to Deepen Comprehensive Strategic Partnership www.montsame.mn

Upholding the Founding Aspiration and Mission of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization www.ubpost.mn

(Shen Minjuan, Ambassador of the PRC to Mongolia) 2024 marks several significant milestones: the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Mongolia, the 20th anniversary of Mongolia’s accreditation as an observer state of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), and the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the tripartite meeting of heads of state of China, Mongolia, and Russia. It is delighted to see that this historically meaningful year witnessed further progress in China-Mongolia relations and new advances in the cooperation among China, Mongolia, and Russia.
Last July, during the meeting between the Foreign Ministers of the three countries at the 24th SCO Summit, the FMs agreed to uphold the original aspiration of collaboration, maintain a clear direction, and strengthen coordination to elevate trilateral cooperation to a new high. This was followed by the first meeting between the Premier and Prime Ministers of the three countries during the 23rd Meeting of SCO Council of Heads of Government, where they reached key consensus to align the Eurasian Economic Union, the Steppe Road Plan, and the Belt and Road Cooperation and to build the China-Mongolia-Russia Economic Corridor. Mongolian Prime Minister L.Oyun-Erdene spoke highly of the SCO’s contributions to a peaceful and stable region, deeper economic and political cooperation, and closer cultural exchanges and looked forward to Mongolia’s further participation in the SCO particularly to leverage the SCO framework to deepen trilateral cooperation. In November, Prime Minister L.Oyun-Erdene led a delegation to attend the seventh China International Import Expo (CIIE) in Shanghai, where he saw the immense opportunities of China’s extraordinarily huge market, gained fresh perspectives on China’s modernization achievements and best practices of the new development philosophy, and experienced the dynamism and vitality of the “Shanghai Spirit”.
As the first international organization co-founded by China and named after a Chinese city, the SCO seeks mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality, consultation, respect for diversity, and pursuit of shared growth. Such “Shanghai Spirit” is the source of vitality of the organization. Over its 24-year journey, the SCO has exemplified peaceful development path with fruitful results, setting a model for the new type of international relations and becoming the world’s largest regional international organization by area and population.
Since China took on the new rotating presidency of the SCO for 2024-2025, China has focused on the original aspiration and mission of the organization and the SCO Year of Sustainable Development. China will work with all sides to make the SCO a constructive force for regional and global peace and stability, prosperity, and development. China and Mongolia are neighbors connected by mountains and rivers and share the same future. With the geographical proximity and economic complementarity, the two countries are focusing on mutually beneficial cooperation to advance modernization and bring more welfare to the two peoples. Mongolia is promoting its transformation in artificial intelligence, green growth, and human resources while China is pushing forward the strategy for invigorating China through science, education, the strategy on developing a quality workforce, and innovation-driven development strategy. The development strategies and philosophies are the same, and align with the key cooperation sectors set by SCO Year of Sustainable Development. From the eight major steps for high-quality Belt and Road cooperation to the SCO Digital Education Association and the upcoming Green Development Forum of SCO Countries, there is vast room for cooperation between China and Mongolia within the SCO framework.
Youth affairs have been a priority for the SCO. This year China will hold the SCO Youth Development Forum and Youth Camp, providing exchange programs to visit China for 1,000 young people from SCO countries over the next five years to encourage cultural exchanges and mutual learning among SCO countries. This year Mongolia will celebrate its “Year of Youth”. The 100-people youth exchange between China and Mongolia and Mongolia’s active participation in the youth affairs under the SCO framework will help Mongolia unleash the potential of its younger generations to build momentum for sustainable development.
The journey has just begun, with boundless prospects ahead. Based on the SCO platform, China and Mongolia enjoy great potential to deepen cooperation in key areas, enhance mutual benefits, and bring better livelihood and welfare for the two peoples for a better future of the bilateral ties, the SCO’s common home of solidarity and mutual trust, peace and tranquility, prosperity and development, good-neighborliness and friendship, fairness and justice, and a closer SCO community with a shared future.

China's top legislator holds talks with chairman of Mongolia's State Great Hural www.xinhuanet.com

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of New Zealand to Visit Mongolia www.montsame.mn

US, Ukraine reach minerals deal www.mining.com

The United States and Ukraine have reached terms on a critical minerals deal, media outlets including the Financial Times reported on Tuesday, in a move Trump administration regards as crucial to brokering a ceasefire with Russia.
Earlier this week, Ukraine’s Deputy Prime Minister Olha Stefanishyna said that the minerals deal is close, and a new draft has been almost agreed for both country’s leaders to sign off on. Ukraine’s parliament is expected to recommend on Wednesday that President Volodymyr Zelenskiy sign the deal.
Sources later confirmed to Reuters that Zelenskiy is due in Washington on Friday make the deal official.
Both sides have been locked in negotiations since Ukraine rejected the initial offer presented by the US earlier this month. President Zelenskiy has repeatedly stated that guaranteed US military support must be part of any deal. A breakthrough was made this past weekend when the US reduced its demand of $500 billion worth of critical mineral resources as repayment for military aid.
Various reports have suggested that Ukraine has upwards of $10 trillion in mineral deposits, including those containing rare earth elements that are essential to defense and other high-tech industries. However, these deposits have yet to be internationally recognized as economically viable. Ukrainian data shows that the country has deposits of 22 of the 34 minerals identified by the EU as critical.
While details of the agreement are undisclosed, and it is expected that the parties will jointly develop these minerals on a 50/50 basis.
On the US side, a deal represents a way for President Donald Trump to encourage buy-in from his supporters for continued backing for Ukraine, which relies on US and European allies for weapons and ammunition.
Justin Logan, director of defense and foreign policy studies at the Cato institute, told Bloomberg that the deal was about Trump being able to “domestically market a political win,” and for Zelenskiy about deescalating tensions with the US.

“Eagle Festival-2025” to take place on March 8-9 www.gogo.mn

The annual “Eagle Festival,” which showcases the unique customs and traditions of nomadic eagle hunting, will be held for the 19th time at the “Chinggis Khaanii Khuree” tourist complex on March 8-9. The event aims to preserve and pass down the centuries-old heritage of eagle hunting to future generations while attracting visitors to experience this remarkable cultural practice.
A total of 22 eagle hunters from Bayan-Ulgii, Tuv, Selenge, and Arkhangai provinces will participate in the festival, alongside representatives from Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan. The festival is organized by the Capital’s Department of Tourism, the “Chinggis Khaanii Khuree” tourist complex, and the “Mongolian Eagle Hunters” association, with support from the Ministry of Environment and Tourism and the Bayan-Ulgii province’s Department of Culture and Arts.
The Eagle Festival is organized in the form of a competition and a race. At the beginning of the event, eagle hunters dressed in national costumes, carrying their eagles on their arms, and marching on horses specially trained for eagle hunting. From here, all elements, including traditional customs and the color design of the attire, are carefully judged and the best eagle hunter with the most beautiful national costumes, horses, and eagle equipment is selected. During this event, Kazakh art performances, clothing sales, and food services will also be organized, and you can visit Kazakh homes to get up close and personal with their unique customs and lifestyle.
The traditional method of taming and hunting birds of prey is called “Shuvuuchlakhui” and this tradition of eagle hunting originated among the nomads of Central Asia 6,000 years ago and has been preserved to this day. As a country that has preserved this tradition, Mongolia was officially registered on UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2010.

Mongolia - a source of hope for Germany in the supply of CRM www.en.mininginsight.mn

Mongolia is one of the ten most resource rich countries in the world. In the south of the country, the Gobi Desert, there are gigantic deposits of copper, silver, gold, coal, fluorspar and other raw materials that are among the largest in the world. Mongolia's geology, which is characterized by diverse mineral rich strata from the Precambrian to the Quaternary, forms the basis for the country's mining potential. Above all, the country has an abundance of REEs, which are essential for cuttingedge technologies and the energy transition. This report analyses the geological formations that underlie Mongolia's resource wealth, highlighting carbonatite and peralkaline granitic rocks as prolific sources of REE mineralization. Important deposits such as the Mesozoic carbonatites Mushgia Khudag and Khotgor and the Devonian peralkaline granites Khalzan Buregtei emphasize the economic potential of these resources. 
ECONOMY
Mongolia is undergoing a structural transformation driven by the mining boom, the increase in foreign investment, partly financed by foreign loans, and the growing complexity of the private sector. GDP per capita fluctuates around USD 5,700, which puts the country in the category of upper middle income countries according to the World Bank's classification. As it is a miningdriven economy, the main growth has been fueled by the export of commodities such as gold, copper and cashmere. The mining sector contributed an average of 25.7% to Mongolia's GDP in the last three years. In 2023, Mongolia exported to 81 countries and imported from 159 countries around the world (Mongolian customs service 2024). Mongolia's most important trading partner was China (72.25%). The most important importers of Mongolian products were China (91.56%), Switzerland (4.39%), South Korea (0.83%), Russia (0.73%) and Italy (0.65%). Mongolia's most important import partners were China (40.55%), Russia (25.81%), Japan (7.75%), South Korea (4.49%) and USA (3.04%).
CHALLENGES IN COOPERATION WITH MONGOLIA
Economic challenges 
Although Mongolia is considered a fastgrowing economy in terms of GDP, the country is failing to diversify its economy. Mongolia's economic growth and government revenues are heavily dependent on mining. This dependence on extractable natural resources has come at a cost. According to the ranking of the World Competitiveness Ranking 2024, Mongolia is the 61st most competitive nation in the world out of 67 countries1. This situation leads to further challenges such as brain drain, increase in foreign debt, corruption, etc., which have a negative impact on the social well being of the population.
Challenges for the development of the transport and logistics sector 
Mongolia faces challenges in the areas of international trade, transit and socioeconomic development due to the lack of territorial access to the sea and the resulting remoteness or isolation from world markets as well as high transit costs. According to the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, Mongolia has the right of access to the sea and freedom of passage. Mongolia has 4 ports in Russia and 3 ports in China for access to the sea. The most important port is Tianjin in China, through which 95% of shipments to and from Mongolia pass.
International connectivity - rail connection 
Ulaanbaatar Railway (UBTZ) is the only railroad company in Mongolia that owns the main line on the territory of Mongolia and is authorized to operate on the international railroad corridor. The TransMongolian Railway is connected to the TransSiberian Railway Corridor (OSJD Corridor No. 1) at the railroad junction of UlanUde, Russia, and to the Chinese Railway via Ereen hot, China (Figure 2). The current capacity of the UBTZ, due to the lack of connections to the mining areas, the limited number of rolling stocks, locomotives, throughput capacity of the railroad hubs and logistics facilities at the border and in Ulaanbaatar, is the biggest challenge for the railroad sector when it comes to expanding operations to meet market demand.
Transport routes to and from Germany 
Rail connections are possible via China and Russia. There are both searail and searoad transports between Germany and Mongolia via the port of Tianjin in China. The containers between Germany (Port of Hamburg and Bremerhaven) and China (Tianjin) are shipped by sea. This currently takes 35 days. Containers between Tianjin and Ulaanbaatar can be transported either by road or rail. Rail transportation between Tianjin and Ulaanbaatar usually takes 23 days. Road transportation on this route is rarely used and is carried out exclusively by Chinese forwarding companies. 
RARE EARTHS IN MONGOLIA 
Despite the lack of extensive exploration across Mongolian territory, significant REE concentrations have been identified in areas such as Khanbogd, Kharzanbüregtei, Lugii River, Mushgia Khudag, Khotgor, Shar Tolgoi, Mushgia and Ulaan Del. These include five different deposits, 71 occurrences and over 260 mineralized areas.
Carbonatites: 1Mushgia Khudag; 2Khotgor; 3Bayan Khoshuu; 4Lugiin Gol; 5Ulgii Khiid; 6Bayan Obo. 
Peralkaline granites: 7Khanbogd; 8Khalzan Buregtei; 9Ulaan Tolgoi; 10Tsakhir;11 Ulaan Del; 12 Shar Tolgoi; 13Maihan Uul. Number 6 is a large Bayan Obo REE deposit in Inner Mongolia, China.
REE EXPLORATION LICENSES 
In August 2023, Mongolia reported 983 exploration projects, most of which are privately owned. Due to the confidential nature of the exploration phase, detailed information about these projects is not accessible to companies due to legal regulations.
REE MINING LICENSES
In Mongolia, a considerable proportion of foreign direct investment has gone into the mining of minerals. This sector has attracted over 1,777 companies, which together hold 2,861 licenses (Fig. 14). Exploration has demonstrated the presence of uranium and thorium in Mongolian RE deposits. For example, Graupner (2012) confirmed the presence of monazite, a thoriumbearing RE mineral, in fresh samples from the Mushgai khudag area. The use of gamma spectrometry as a standard tool in RE exploration further emphasizes the presence of radioactive minerals in these deposits. In addition, traces of sulphide minerals were found in the carbonate ores of Mushgai khudag, Khotgor and Lugiin gol. 
PROCESSING AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT 
The environmental problems associated with the mining and refining of rare earths are profound and include high resource consumption, the generation of chemical pollutants, emissions that lead to air and water pollution, the production of solid waste and the risk of radioactive radiation. Addressing these issues is essential for the sustainable sourcing of REEs. 
Mining and refining 
This first phase of REE ore processing comprises the mining and physical processing of the rare earth minerals. The rare earth minerals are separated from the nonvaluable minerals (gangue), resulting in a concentrated form of rare earth minerals. LREEs are mainly extracted in opencast mines, while HREEs are mainly extracted using insitu methods. 
Ion absorption ores 
Particularly in the case of HREEs, these ores are better suited for extraction and processing due to the ionic nature of rare earths. In particular, clay deposits with ion adsorption are rich in HREEs such as dysprosium and yttrium and exceed the concentrations in other minerals such as bastnäsite and monazite.
Chemical treatment and separation 
In this phase, the REE minerals, which are generally present as fluorocarbonates and phosphates, are converted into carbonates or chlorides. They are then separated using techniques such as ion exchange or solvent extraction. This chemical processing not only removes impurities, but also increases the concentration of rare earth oxides (REOs) to around 90 %. Various reagents are used in the process, including inorganic acids (sulphuric, hydrochloric and nitric acid), alkalis (sodium hydroxide and sodium carbonate) and electrolytes (ammonium sulphate, ammonium chloride and sodium chloride).
Roasting and leaching 
In the BayanObo process in Inner Mongolia (China), the REE concentrates are treated with concentrated sulphuric acid and heated in a rotary kiln. Gases are released during this process and the resulting roasting residue is leached with water to dissolve the rare earth sulphates. The solution is then neutralized, leaving a thoriumcontaining residue, and the purified leachate is precipitated with ammonium bicarbonate.
Solvent extraction and high-purity separation 
The process involves further evaporation of the strip brine after hydrochloric acid stripping to recover REE chlorides. To obtain highpurity REEs, a solvent extraction is carried out, which often requires several stages, sometimes more than 100.
Reduction, refinement and purification
The final step is the conversion of highpurity REOs into REEs or rare earth metals (REMs). This includes various reduction processes of anhydrous chlorides or fluorides, REOs and the fusedsalt electrolysis of chloride or REOfluoride mixtures.
CONCLUSIONS
Mongolia's geological endowment, which is characterized by diverse mineral rich strata from the Precambrian to the Quaternary, forms the basis for the country's mining potential. Above all, the country has an abundance of REEs, which are essential for cutting edge technologies. Important deposits such as the Mesozoic carbonatites Mushgia Khudag and Khotgor and the Devonian peralkaline granites KhalzanBuregtei underline the economic potential of REE mineralization in Mongolia. Due to the high transportation volume which is required the logistics for concentrates to Germany is very complicated and long lasting. As a consequence, the processing would have to take place in Mongolia, but the impact of rare earth mining and processing on the environment is extensive and complex and requires urgent attention and remediation strategies.
BY Thomas Hollenberg