TMK taps local LPG giant in new Mongolian gas-to-power deal www.smh.com.au

TMK Energy has flicked the switch on a new phase of its Mongolian gas development, signing a partnering agreement with the country’s biggest LPG distributor to build a gas-to-power plant. The deal brings the company a step closer to commercial gas sales from its sprawling Gurvantes XXXV coal-seam gas project.

The company’s flagship gas asset spans 8400 square kilometres in Mongolia’s South Gobi Basin, less than 20 kilometres from the Chinese border and close to established northern Chinese gas infrastructure. The basin-scale project hosts thick bituminous coal seams stretching more than 150 kilometres across strike and holds a contingent resource of 1.2 trillion cubic feet of gas (Tcf).

The company has struck a memorandum of understanding with Dashvaanjil Group to develop an initial 1-megawatt modular power plant beside the Gurvantes XXXV pilot project. The plant will run on gas already flowing from TMK’s pilot wells and be backed by Dashvaanjil’s LPG supply as a dual-fuel setup during the ramp-up phase.

Engineering and design work has already kicked off, with Dashvaanjil undertaking downstream engineering studies at its own cost and risk while TMK handles upstream field integration, gas gathering and field works. Produced gas from the pilot wells will be commingled at a central collection point, where it can be conditioned, if required, before feeding the gas-fired power unit.

‘This is another milestone agreement, a major step forward in advancing our pathway for future commercial gas sales.’
TMK Energy chief executive officer Dougal Ferguson
The partners are targeting completion of engineering by the end of the June quarter next year, with commissioning and first power generation slated for the end of the September quarter 2027. Once the engineering phase is complete, the parties can elect to move into formal commercial agreements, locking in the project structure and outlining how investment returns will be shared between both sides.

TMK says Dashvaanjil brings a strong operational safety culture, deep infrastructure reach and technical expertise to the project, positioning the partnership as a fast and cost-effective proof-of-concept step towards future commercial gas sales.

The power plant will initially provide the company with a reliable long-term electricity source for its own pilot operations, reducing reliance on intermittent regional grid supply. The setup will also be backed by Dashvaanjil’s LPG supply and TMK’s existing grid connection to help secure uninterrupted field operations as gas production continues to build.

Notably, the project has been designed as a scalable platform rather than a standalone pilot. Excess electricity generated beyond TMK’s operational needs is expected to be sold to local industrial customers, likely nearby coal mining operations in the South Gobi region, where energy demand continues to rise.

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TMK Energy chief executive officer Dougal Ferguson said: “The Power Project will be designed to provide TMK with a reliable long-term power solution for its Pilot Well Project, while also demonstrating the broader potential for natural gas to contribute to other domestic energy users.”

The agreement follows TMK’s recent push to accelerate gas sales after securing regulatory backing to use pilot gas for on-site power generation.

Operational momentum has also continued building across the field. Seven pilot wells are now producing gas, with the company recently reporting April output had climbed to 663 cubic metres per day. That flow represents the project’s second-highest monthly production rate to date, with management steadily ramping up reservoir dewatering and pilot production activities.

Recent reservoir work has also confirmed pressure communication between wells, supporting TMK’s broader reservoir connectivity model and strengthening confidence in scalability. The company is preparing to drill additional pilot wells later this year alongside farm-out discussions aimed at bringing in strategic partners across upstream, midstream and downstream infrastructure.

Mongolia’s broader energy backdrop appears increasingly supportive. The country remains heavily dependent on coal-fired power and on imported electricity from China, while industrial expansion across the South Gobi continues to lift demand for stable domestic energy supplies.

With flare stacks now flickering across the South Gobi pilot wells, TMK’s story is shifting from proving up gas resources to building a practical, scalable and potentially pivotal domestic power play for Mongolia’s energy future.

N.Uchral: Mayor Kh.Nyambaatar dismissed from his post www.gogo.mn

On May 16, 2026, Prime Minister N.Uchral visited the “Khuchit Shonkhor” meat market, in connection with rising meat prices. Following the visit, he announced that Mayor Kh.Nyambaatar had been dismissed from his post effective immediately.

Prime Minister N.Uchral said, “Theft and corruption have gone too far. Projects and tenders have been stolen. Now it has even affected people’s livelihoods and food. Today, I went to the meat market, and beef is selling for MNT 40,000. Meat prices are being controlled in the countryside, but not in the capital.

Last year, around 8,000 tons of meat were reserved. This year, about 5,000 tons were reserved. Contracts were signed with nine supplier companies and commercial banks. We agreed to sell beef at MNT 15,000 and not increase the price beyond that level, with sales organized at 386 locations.

However, not a single reserve meat supply has arrived at these locations, and I inspected the situation myself today. Where has this meat gone? For example, one citizen purchased 15 tons of meat for MNT 211 million and reserved it. Now even the citizens’ reserve meat is being stolen. What happened to the Tuul Highway project? Finish it. What interests are behind it?

This has caused price increases, and the grounds are clear. Therefore, I am dismissing Mayor Kh.Nyambaatar from his post. I will also establish a special working group together with intelligence and police organizations to investigate all projects, tenders, and activities related to the capital city,” he said.

At the Cannes Film Festival, a presentation of eight Mongolian film projects took place www.open.kg

On May 13, as part of the Cannes Film Festival, one of the most significant film forums in the world, a collection of eight Mongolian film projects was presented. The presentation was held under the auspices of the Mongolian Film Arts Council and was the third of its kind at the festival.

Among the presented projects, special attention is drawn to the following films and series:

the documentary film "For Forty Years We Carried Salt" by director BADRALMAA Batbaatar;

the feature film "Watermelon" by producer TUVSHINSAIKHAN Ganbayar;

the film "Jinjiy's Birthday" directed by TAMIR Bat-Ölziy;

the animated project "Snowball" by producer TAMIR Erdenebayar;

the feature film "Falcon" by producer TEMÜÜJINA Zolbayar;

the feature film "Mirage of the Yellow Steppe" by producer MANDAKHA Gantogso;

the documentary film "Those Who Went to Study in Distant Lands" by director SANCHIR Bulgan;

the TV series project "No Drug 2" by producer ALTANTUYA Tömörbaatar.

Among these films, "Watermelon" stands out, telling the story of a teenager from a remote village in the Gobi Desert. In 1999, a 16-year-old boy tries to grow a watermelon—a promise made to his first love. This impossible task becomes the foundation for his personal growth and self-discovery.

The film was created in collaboration with young director Ganbayar, exploring important themes of adolescence, sexuality, and the experiences of first love.

The event was attended by more than 40 representatives of the international film industry, including producers and investors. Mongolian cinema is traditionally showcased at the Cannes Festival, and one of the most notable achievements was the film "If Only I Could Fall Asleep," which became the first Mongolian film selected for the "Un Certain Regard" program.

Which Countries Were Never Invaded By Britain? www.worldatlas.com

The claim that only 22 countries in the world have never been invaded by Britain comes from historian Stuart Laycock's 2012 book All the Countries We've Ever Invaded: And the Few We Never Got Round To. Laycock spent roughly two years working alphabetically through every UN member state, plus Kosovo, examining whether British forces had at any point conducted what he counts as an invasion: military presence, force, threat of force, raid, or armed incursion sanctioned by the Crown. Out of the roughly 193 countries he examined, he found British military activity in 171. That leaves 22 countries the British have never reached in any military capacity.

At its 1920 territorial peak, the British Empire covered roughly 35.5 million square kilometres, about 24% of Earth's land area, and held some 412 million subjects, about 23% of the world population at the time. It is the largest empire in recorded history by both measures. The 22 countries that escaped British military attention according to Laycock's count are listed alphabetically below.

Andorra
Belarus
Bolivia
Burundi
Central African Republic
Chad
Republic of the Congo
Guatemala
Ivory Coast
Kyrgyzstan
Liechtenstein
Luxembourg
Mali
Marshall Islands
Monaco
Mongolia
Paraguay
São Tomé and Príncipe
Sweden
Tajikistan
Uzbekistan
Vatican City

Several entries on this list have wiggle room and are noted as borderline cases in Laycock's own analysis. Mongolia, for example, may have seen British military presence during the international intervention in the Russian Civil War (1918-1922), but Laycock could find evidence of a British mission only within about 80 km of the Mongolian border, not inside Mongolia itself. Sweden is another borderline case: the Anglo-Swedish War of 1810-1812 was declared but produced no actual fighting, and Britain was even permitted to maintain ships off Hanö Island for trade purposes. Laycock counts that as non-invasion, though others have argued the formal state of war should disqualify Sweden from the list.

The British state itself only formally exists from the Acts of Union of 1707, which joined the kingdoms of England and Scotland into the Kingdom of Great Britain. The earlier military history captured in Laycock's count therefore includes English (and sometimes Scottish) forces before that date. English military expansion begins with the Norman Conquest of 1066, which brought a new ruling dynasty into a Kingdom of England that had already existed under Anglo-Saxon rule since Athelstan unified the country in 927. It continued through the Hundred Years' War (1337-1453), in which English kings held large parts of France for extended periods but ultimately lost almost everything except Calais by the war's end.

The empire reached its territorial maximum in the years after World War I, when Britain absorbed former German colonies and Ottoman territories under League of Nations mandates. The Victorian era (1837-1901) is often described as the high point culturally, with Queen Victoria proclaimed Empress of India in 1876, but the empire continued growing geographically into the 1920s.

The 171 invaded countries fall into several categories: formal colonies, protectorates, mandate territories, raid targets, and countries Britain simply passed through during world wars. Below are a few representative examples from across that range.

Afghanistan
The First Anglo-Afghan War began in 1839 when Britain invaded Afghanistan to install a friendly ruler in Kabul and check Russian expansion in Central Asia. The campaign ended catastrophically in 1842 when the retreating British garrison and accompanying civilians were almost completely wiped out during their withdrawal toward Jalalabad, with reports that only one British survivor reached the safety of British India. Britain returned for the Second Anglo-Afghan War (1878-1880) and the Third Anglo-Afghan War (1919), the latter ending Britain's claim to control Afghan foreign affairs.

Burma (Myanmar)
Britain annexed Burma in three stages through the 19th century, beginning with the First Anglo-Burmese War (1824-1826) and ending with the Third Anglo-Burmese War in 1885, after which Burma was absorbed into British India in 1886. Burma was administered as a province of India until 1937, when it was separated as a distinct colony. The Burmese independence movement gained strength under figures including Aung San and the country achieved independence in January 1948.

Kenya
Britain established the East Africa Protectorate in 1895 over the territory that is now Kenya, formally declaring it the Colony of Kenya in 1920. British colonial rule was particularly contested in the central highlands, where settler land seizures fuelled the Mau Mau Uprising of 1952-1960. The British response was brutal, with mass detention in camps, executions, and acts of torture later documented in detailed British government records that were unsealed in the 2010s and led to a 2013 financial settlement with surviving victims. Kenya achieved independence on 12 December 1963.

Egypt
Britain invaded Egypt in 1882, ostensibly to protect European financial interests after Egyptian unrest threatened repayment of foreign debt. The invasion led to a 74-year British military presence. The 1919 Egyptian Revolution achieved nominal independence in 1922 but Britain retained control of the Suez Canal, the Sudan, and significant military rights. Final British withdrawal did not occur until the 1954 Anglo-Egyptian Agreement and the 1956 Suez Crisis, which finally ended British military presence on Egyptian soil.

Decolonisation accelerated sharply after World War II, when Britain emerged victorious but financially exhausted and indebted to the United States. India and Pakistan gained independence in August 1947, followed by Ceylon (Sri Lanka) and Burma in 1948. The Suez Crisis of 1956 marked the political end of Britain's status as an independent imperial power; the failed Anglo-French-Israeli operation to retake the Suez Canal was halted under American financial pressure and demonstrated that London could no longer project force without Washington's consent. Most African colonies achieved independence between 1957 (Ghana) and 1968 (Mauritius and Eswatini). Hong Kong was returned to China in 1997, generally considered the end of the empire proper, though 14 British Overseas Territories remain under British sovereignty.

Laycock's threshold for what constitutes an invasion is intentionally broad. He counts state-sanctioned acts of piracy, transitory military presence during a wider war, and even single landings by armed explorers operating with royal approval. Under stricter definitions of invasion (sustained occupation, territorial annexation, formal colonisation), the count of never-invaded countries would be much larger. Under looser definitions, including British naval blockades and sanctions enforcement, it would shrink further. The 22-country figure has stuck partly because Laycock's book is well sourced and partly because the answer is satisfying: even a list this loose still misses most of the small principalities of Europe, the landlocked Central Asian republics, and a handful of West African and Latin American nations Britain simply had no reason to enter.

Vail International Hockey to travel to Mongolia, China and South Korea on ‘puck diplomacy’ mission www.validaily.com

This June, a delegation of youth hockey players, coaches, and parents will represent Vail International Hockey abroad, traveling to Mongolia, China, and South Korea on a unique international exchange centered on sport, culture, and people-to-people connection.

Organizers describe the journey as a “puck diplomacy” mission — using the shared language of hockey to build global perspective, mutual understanding, and lasting relationships across borders.

The delegation will participate in friendly games, joint practices, and cultural exchanges with local teams and families in each country. Beyond competition, the emphasis is on curiosity, respect, and learning how the game is growing in different parts of the world.

“In a world that often feels divided, we believe sport still brings people together,” said trip organizer Eric Eves. “Hockey gives young people a way to connect instantly. When you step on the ice, you share something universal — teamwork, discipline, and joy in the game.”

The trip is designed not only as an athletic experience, but as an educational one. Participants will explore cultural landmarks, learn about regional history, and engage directly with peers their age in each destination. Parents and coaches traveling with the group will help guide discussions focused on global awareness, leadership, and responsible travel.

The delegation represents a growing movement in youth sports that views international exchange as an extension of education — preparing young athletes to become thoughtful global citizens.

Through this journey, organizers hope players return home with broadened perspectives, deeper empathy, and friendships that stretch well beyond the rink.

The organization aims to collect 100 pairs of used hockey skates, along with used sticks and helmets, to donate during the trip. For more information, contact Sean Koenig at 970-470-9154 or visit vailinternationalhockey.org.

France to Send Large Delegation for COP17 Conference www.montsame.mn

France will send a large delegation of government officials, private sector representatives, scientists, and researchers to attend the 17th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP17) to the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), which will take place in August in Ulaanbaatar.

The announcement was made by the Ambassador of France to Mongolia, Corinne Pereira Da Silva, during a meeting with the Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Sandag-Ochir Tsend. The two sides discussed expanding bilateral environmental cooperation and working together on preparations for COP17. Discussions also focused on cooperation on water, forests, biodiversity conservation, and waste management.

Minister Sandag-Ochir expressed appreciation for France’s support of agreements reached at the recent G7 Environment Ministers’ Meeting in Paris on combating desertification and mitigating climate change.

He noted that cooperation between the two countries has expanded in the areas of meteorology, water, forestry, biodiversity, and waste management. The Minister also thanked the French government for deciding to provide approximately EUR 1 million in funding for the “Combating Desertification in Mongolia” project, which will be implemented in cooperation with Mongolia’s meteorological agency, Forestry Agency, and Water Agency. He described the funding as significant support for efforts to combat desertification and reduce soil degradation.

The project aims to strengthen scientific and technical cooperation in weather forecasting, wildfire prevention and management, and sustainable water resource management, particularly groundwater. The project will deepen environmental cooperation between the two countries, contribute to Mongolia’s environmental and climate change sector, and deliver substantial long-term benefits. 

N.Uchral: Higher VAT refunds would benefit citizens with luxury consumption www.gogo.mn

On May 13, 2026, the plenary session of the Parliament of Mongolia began, and proceeded to discuss the draft laws submitted together with the 2027 Budget Framework Statement of the Unified Budget of Mongolia and the 2028–2029 Budget Forecast Bill.

During the debate, Prime Minister N.Uchral presented the government’s position and proposal.

He said the government had submitted amendments to the Tax Law to protect jobs amid the current economic challenges.

Income up to the minimum wage, or MNT 792,000, will not be subject to personal income tax. We are also proposing to raise the VAT payer threshold from MNT 50 million to 400 million. If sales revenue is below MNT 2.5 billion, the corporate income tax rate will be 1%. This is a policy aimed at protecting citizens from price increases and preserving jobs. 

He noted that the amended VAT law will take effect on October 1. Under the law, VAT refunds will be set at 20% for purchases over MNT 1 million, 50% for purchases up to MNT 1 million, and 100% for purchases up to MNT 500,000. He added that the fiscal impact of the law is nearly MNT 1.7 trillion.

The fiscal impact of the tax package we are proposing is MNT 2.2 trillion. Some members want to reduce the corporate income tax to 1%. One thing must be understood: taxes are the mechanism used to redistribute wealth.

He added that tax mechanisms are used to collect revenue from higher-income groups and maintain employment for low- and middle-income groups. “Therefore, it is not appropriate to discuss tax cuts simply by reducing percentages. In particular, personal income tax is part of local budgets. The capital city, districts, and all 21 provinces operate independently through personal income tax.

If personal income tax is reduced to 1%, local governments would be unable to function independently. 40% of corporate income tax is allocated to local governments.

If personal income tax up to the minimum wage of MNT 792,000 is eliminated, a person earning MNT 3 million will pay tax only on MNT 2.2 million, and the rest of the income will remain with them. This is the most appropriate policy.

He added that increasing VAT refunds would primarily benefit citizens with higher consumption. The welfare policy being implemented by the government today reaches only 26% of the target group. The support is not visible. Members have a choice. VAT refunds are important. If they believe it is wrong to exempt income up to MNT 792,000 from income tax, the government is ready to withdraw the VAT law. This is the choice of the members of parliament. 

Mongolia’s SouthGobi swings to 1Q operational profit, advises on outlook for coal in China’s energy mix www.marketscreener.com

Mongolia’s SouthGobi Resources (HKEX:1878, TSX-V:SGQ) coal miner on May 14 announced in a press release its financial and operating results for the first quarter, recording a $4.6mn profit from operations versus a $15.7mn loss from operations a year ago.

The financial results were impacted by increased sales volume, as well as improved cost control on the coal production process, the company said.

The 1Q sales volume of 3.1mn tonnes compared to 2.1mn tonnes in 1Q25, while SouthGobi recorded an average realised selling price of $54.4 per tonne for the first quarter of 2026 compared to $59.5 per tonne for the first quarter of 2025.

The decrease in the average realised selling price was primarily attributable to prevailing market uncertainty and cautious buyer sentiment on the Chinese coal market, said the company.

SouthGobi owns and operates the Ovoot Tolgoi Mine in Mongolia and also holds the mining licences of other metallurgical and thermal coal deposits in the country’s South Gobi Region. It sells coal to customers in China.

SouthGobi said: “The Company continues to expand the scale of mining operations in 2026, as well as implementing various coal processing methods, including screening, wet washing and dry coal processing, which have resulted in improved coal quality and enhanced production volume and growth of coal export volume into China.

“In addition, the Company also continues to expand the categories of coal products in its portfolio, including mixed coal, wet washed coal and dry processed coal, which further increases the Company's coal export volume.”

Giving an outlook, South Gobi said: “The global coal market continues to face structural shifts amid evolving geopolitical and economic conditions. Although international trade tensions have moderated compared with previous years, uncertainties persist due to fluctuating commodity prices, energy transition policies, and regional security concerns. China's ongoing efforts to balance energy security with environmental commitments will continue to shape demand patterns, with coal expected to remain a critical component of its energy mix in the near term.

“The strategic partnership between China and Mongolia, particularly under the frameworks of the Belt and Road Initiative and Mongolia's ‘New Revival Policy’, continues to deepen. Significant investments in cross-border infrastructure, including the ongoing expansion and modernisation of railway networks and border ports, are progressively reducing logistical bottlenecks and enhancing efficiency. These advancements are expected to strengthen the competitiveness of Mongolian coking coal in the Chinese market by improving transit efficiency and lowering overall landed costs.

“At the same time, challenges persist. China's property sector remains under pressure, and infrastructure investment is being carefully managed, which may constrain steel production and, in turn, coking coal demand.”

South Gobi also observed that the recent global geopolitical events, particularly the escalation of tensions involving Iran and the US, have increased energy prices and demand for coal as a substitute for natural gas. As such, international coal prices have increased, at least in the short term, it said.

“However,” said SouthGobi, “management notes that coal price trends remain subject to uncertainties related to the conflicts and broader geopolitical developments. Should the conflict ease or cease, the price momentum driven by supply risk premiums and energy substitution may weaken or even reverse, thereby exposing coal prices to considerable downside uncertainty. Such volatility may affect the Company's operations, including the selling price of its coal product and its production costs.

“Against this backdrop, the Company remains cautiously optimistic about the China coal market, as coal continues to be regarded as the primary energy source on which China will rely in the foreseeable future. Coal supply and imports in China are expected to remain limited due to increasingly stringent environmental and safety requirements, which may contribute to volatility in domestic coal prices. The Company will continue to closely monitor market developments and respond proactively to changing conditions.”

MTZ Bond Worth MNT 300 Billion Successfully Issued www.montsame.mn

Mongolian Railway SOJSC has successfully raised MNT 300 billion from the domestic capital market through the issuance of the “MTZ Bond,” aimed at financing a strategically significant infrastructure development project.

According to Mongolian Railway SOJSC, the bond is notable as the first financial instrument in Mongolia’s history issued by a state-owned enterprise and secured by its own assets.

The bond was offered to investors with a one-year maturity at an annual interest rate of 17%. The issuance was organized in cooperation with Tenger Capital Securities Company. The transaction is considered a significant step toward expanding Mongolia’s domestic capital market and opening new opportunities to finance major infrastructure projects based on market principles.

Following the successful bond issuance, the management of Tenger Capital met with Minister of Road and Transport  Delgersaikhan Borkhuu and Chief Executive Officer of Mongolian Railway SOJSC, Batchuluun O., to express appreciation for their cooperation.

The financing will be allocated to the construction of the Bagakhangai–Khushig Valley–Emeelt railway project. The company plans to repurchase the bond ahead of maturity by attracting long-term, low-interest investment from international banks and financial institutions in the future.

Equipment and Components Being Installed for Oil Refinery Project www.montsame.mn

At its regular session, the Cabinet approved amendments to the Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) contracts for the Oil Refinery Project being implemented in Altanshiree soum of Dornogobi aimag with a concessional loan from the Government of India. The amendments concern only technical and process-related matters and do not affect the contract price for the Crude Distillation Unit (CDU), Vacuum Distillation Unit (VDU), and storage tanks (MEIL, EPC 02), or the Captive Power Plant (EPC 03).

The Oil Refinery Project is being carried out in four EPC packages.

Work under the EPC 01 package was completed in 2024, and the related facilities have already been commissioned.
Orders for equipment under EPC 02, EPC 03, and EPC 04 packages have been placed, and machinery, equipment, and components manufactured in India and other countries have arrived at the refinery site. Construction and installation works are currently underway.
Construction and installation of the main technological, auxiliary, and support facilities included in EPC 02 are planned to be completed in 2026.
EPC 03, which covers the refinery’s thermal power plant, has reached 44.4% completion in engineering, procurement, and construction works.