Since mid-2000s, the mining sector has been driving Mongolia’s exports, leading the country to be one of the fastest growing economies until 2015. However, while in recent years the economic growth is slowing down, the increased number of mining operations profoundly affects Mongolia’s economic policies, social dynamics and environment.

In light of drastic changes brought by the expansion of the mining sector in Mongolia, the Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA) and its Mongolian member organisation Centre for Human Rights and Development (CHRD) have been looking into mining’s impact on human rights and environment. In 2012, the two organisations conducted a first fact-finding mission (FFM) in the southern part of Mongolia, looking into the situation of human rights defenders (HRDs) exposing violations related to mining. In 2018, CHRD portrayed the negative impacts of mining, as well as efforts deployed by civil society to demand justice and accountability in FORUM-ASIA’s working paper on business and human rights.

From 5 to 10 May 2019, CHRD and FORUM-ASIA conducted a second FFM in the north eastern aimags (provinces) of Khentii and Dornod. By meeting with local communities, authorities, and mining companies, the FFM team documented the repercussions of mining operations on the work of HRDs, environment, and livelihoods of local communities.

Based on the collected testimonies and in light of Mongolian laws and obligations under international human rights law, the report provides a set of tailored recommendations to: Mongolian Government; Khentii Aimag; soums of Binder, Batshireet and Tsagaan-Ovoo; mining companies Aivuuntes, Pegmatite, and Steppe Gold; and United Nations Special Rapporteur on the situation of HRDs.

The summary of this report [ENG/MNG] can be downloaded here

The full report [ENG] can be downloaded here