Government to Formally Approach Rio Tinto, Oyu Tolgoi to Safeguard National Interest www.montsame.mn
A temporary parliamentary investigative committee was established by the State Great Khural (Parliament) to oversee documents and activities related to safeguarding Mongolia’s interests and increasing the benefits derived from the exploitation of the Oyu Tolgoi group of deposits.
The committee organized an open hearing to examine evidence from December 8 to 12, 2025, and the parliament adopted a resolution instructing the government on follow-up measures to be taken. The temporary committee concluded that the Oyu Tolgoi Investment Agreement and the Shareholders’ Agreement do not fully meet Mongolia’s interests; that benefits to Mongolia have declined sharply due to cost overruns and the timeline for receiving dividends has been delayed; that Mongolia’s participation in decision-making has not been substantively ensured; and that the project lacks sufficient transparency.
At its regular session on January 7, 2026, the government discussed actions to implement the parliamentary resolution on measures to be taken following the special inspection and open hearings aimed at safeguarding Mongolia’s interests and increasing returns from the Oyu Tolgoi project. The government decided to formally approach the management of Oyu Tolgoi LLC and the investor Rio Tinto Group. The composition of the working group appointed by the government to conduct negotiations with the project’s investors has been renewed as part of efforts to implement the parliamentary resolution.
According to the Government Media and Public Relations Department, the government will raise a number of specific issues with Oyu Tolgoi LLC and the management of Rio Tinto Group within the framework of ongoing negotiations with the project’s investors. These include bringing the contractual terms into line with Mongolia’s national interests; clarifying the timeline for receiving dividends on the 34-percent state ownership; ensuring that shareholders benefit on an equal and fair basis; making financial reporting and project costs transparent and open; carrying out independent audits; substantively ensuring Mongolia’s participation at the decision-making level; and ensuring parliamentary oversight over project costs and financing.
Published Date:2026-01-09





