A total of 17,612 hectares of land were rehabilitated nationwide between 2020 and 2025, including 13,980 hectares through technical rehabilitation and 3,632 hectares through biological rehabilitation, according to the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change.

In Selenge aimag, surveys recorded 3,635 hectares of degraded land in 2017 and an additional 1,609.56 hectares between 2018 and 2025, bringing the total degraded area to 5,244.56 hectares. Most rehabilitation work has been carried out in Yeroo, Khuder, and Bayangol soums. Over the past five years alone, 4,817.71 hectares have been restored.   

The Ministry is currently studying vegetation recovery in technically rehabilitated mining areas in Umnugobi and Bulgan aimag, Shariin Gol soum of Darkhan-Uul aimag, and Yeroo and Khuder soums of Selenge aimag. For instance, 21 enterprises operating in Selenge, Umnugobi and Bulgan aimags have been inspected. Of them, five companies were not operating, while 13 had environmental impact assessments in place. Inspectors identified 64 violations, partially suspended the operations of eight license holders, and referred six cases with indications of criminal activity to the relevant authorities.

The Ministry noted the need to address identified violations, reduce environmental impacts, intensify land rehabilitation efforts, and ensure the implementation of environmental management plans.

Inspections of exploration drill-hole rehabilitation and safety measures revealed that SouthGobi Sands LLC had sealed 16 drill holes drilled in 2025 in Gurvantes soum of Umnugobi aimag, but six of those sites had subsequently been converted into coal unloading areas.

In Selenge aimag, 939.77 hectares of land have been rehabilitated, and 149 exploration drill holes have been sealed.

Abandoned pits, shafts, and excavations left behind by illegal artisanal mining continue to pose serious risks to public safety. Some of the approximately 200 pits and drill holes created through illegal mining activities have expanded due to natural erosion and collapse, increasing the likelihood of accidents.

Measures are being taken to curb illegal mining, rehabilitate degraded land, conduct environmental impact assessments, safely seal exploration holes and excavated pits, and improve conditions for citizens to live in a safe environment.     

Published Date:2026-06-16