On April 21, during a meeting between the management of Badrakh Energy LLC, a Mongolian-French joint venture, and representatives opposing uranium mining, one of the protesters physically assaulted the company’s executive director, Marc Meleard.
In response to the incident, the Mongolian National Mining Association released a public statement condemning the attack and calling for appropriate legal action.
“The deliberate tarnishing, distortion, spreading of false information, and organized slander and attacks against companies operating within the legal framework of Mongolia are becoming increasingly widespread,” the statement read. “These actions now include threats to the health and safety of individuals performing their professional duties”.
The association emphasized that the recent assault on Marc Meleard highlights the seriousness of such threats and underscored the need for law enforcement agencies to take firm action to prevent future incidents.
“We hope that resolving this issue within the framework of the law will help prevent the recurrence of such unlawful acts, protect individual dignity, ensure normal business operations, and safeguard the health and safety of workers” the statement continued.
Highlighting the economic significance of the mining industry, the association noted that the sector accounts for 94% of Mongolia’s export revenue, 35% of state budget revenue, and 79% of foreign direct investment. It also provides over 75,000 jobs across state, private, and foreign invested companies.
“The member companies of the Mongolian National Mining Association are committed to operating responsibly within the laws and regulations of Mongolia, upholding international standards, and supporting clean energy development,” the statement concluded.
The association pledged continued cooperation with government agencies and the private sector to foster a stable and secure investment environment.

Published Date:2025-04-23