1 GAZPROM, MONGOLIA SIGN ENERGY MOU, PAVING PATH FOR POWER OF SIBERIA-2 WWW.OILPRICE.COM PUBLISHED:2025/08/27      2 MONGOLIA, US DISCUSS COOPERATION IN INVESTMENT, MINING, TOURISM, SPACE EXPLORATION WWW.MONTSAME.MN PUBLISHED:2025/08/27      3 MONGOLIA TO INCREASE COAL SUPPLY TO CHINA WWW.MONTSAME.MN PUBLISHED:2025/08/27      4 PM REAFFIRMS TRANSPARENCY IN BUDGET APPROVAL WWW.MONTSAME.MN PUBLISHED:2025/08/27      5 BUDGET 2026: SOCIAL INSURANCE AND WELFARE PENSIONS TO RISE BY 6% NEXT YEAR WWW.GOGO.MN PUBLISHED:2025/08/27      6 GAZPROM SIGNS MEMORANDUM OF COOPERATION WITH MONGOLIAN GOVT ON OIL AND GAS WWW.INTERFAX.COM PUBLISHED:2025/08/27      7 WATER-RELATED ACCIDENTS KILL 70 IN MONGOLIA THIS YEAR WWW.XINHUANET.COM PUBLISHED:2025/08/27      8 FITCH AFFIRMS MONGOLIAN MINING AT 'B+'; OUTLOOK STABLE WWW.FITCHRATINGS.COM  PUBLISHED:2025/08/26      9 20-DAY ODD-EVEN LICENSE PLATE RESTRICTION TO BEGIN ON AUGUST 27 WWW.GOGO.MN PUBLISHED:2025/08/26      10 WHY CHINESE INNER MONGOLIA BAOTOU STEEL UNION'S 40% PROFIT SURGE SIGNALS A STRONG BUY OPPORTUNITY WWW.AINVEST.COM  PUBLISHED:2025/08/26      ТӨГРӨГ НУУРЫН БҮЛЭГ ОРДЫГ ТӨРД БУЦААН АВАХААР ШИЙДВЭРЛЭЛЭЭ WWW.ITOIM.MN НИЙТЭЛСЭН:2025/08/27     “ГАЗПРОМ”-ТОЙ ГАЗРЫН ТОСНЫ САЛБАРТ ХАМТРАН АЖИЛЛАНА WWW.EAGLE.MN НИЙТЭЛСЭН:2025/08/27     SXCOAL-ТАЙ ХАМТАРСНААР ХЭРЭГЛЭГЧДЭД ХАМГИЙН БОЛОМЖИТ ХУВИЛБАРЫГ САНАЛ БОЛГОХ БОЛОМЖТОЙ WWW.ITOIM.MN НИЙТЭЛСЭН:2025/08/27     "РИО ТИНТО"-ТОЙ ХИЙХ АРБИТРЫН МАРГААНД ЗГ-ЫГ Н.МЯГМАРААР АХЛУУЛСАН АЖЛЫН ХЭСЭГ ТӨЛӨӨЛНӨ WWW.EGUUR.MN НИЙТЭЛСЭН:2025/08/27     ЭМЭЭЛТ ЭКО АЖ ҮЙЛДВЭРИЙН ПАРКИЙН ДЦС-ЫН ГЭРЭЭНД ГАРЫН ҮСЭГ ЗУРЖЭЭ WWW.NEWS.MN НИЙТЭЛСЭН:2025/08/27     "ЦЕМЕНТ ШОХОЙ" ХК-ИЙГ ТҮШИГЛЭН АЖ ҮЙЛДВЭРИЙН ПАРК БАЙГУУЛАХ САНАМЖ БИЧИГТ ГАРЫН ҮСЭГ ЗУРЛАА WWW.MONTSAME.MN НИЙТЭЛСЭН:2025/08/27     ЭНХТАЙВАНЫ ГҮҮРИЙГ ШИНЭЧИЛЖ ЗАССАНААР 15-20 ЖИЛЭЭР НАСЖИЛТ НЭМЭГДЭНЭ WWW.EAGLE.MN НИЙТЭЛСЭН:2025/08/27     ХЯТАДЫН ИМПОРТЫН НҮҮРСНИЙ 48 ХУВИЙГ МОНГОЛ УЛС, 29 ХУВИЙГ ОХУ-ААС НИЙЛҮҮЛЖЭЭ WWW.ITOIM.MN НИЙТЭЛСЭН:2025/08/26     “ЦАЙРТ МИНЕРАЛ” КОМПАНИЙГ "ЭРДЭНЭТ"-ИЙГ ТҮШИГЛЭН БАЙГУУЛАХ ЗЭС ХАЙЛУУЛАХ ҮЙЛДВЭРИЙН СОНГОН ШАЛГАРУУЛАЛТАД ОРОЛЦУУЛАХААР УРЬЖЭЭ WWW.EAGLE.MN НИЙТЭЛСЭН:2025/08/26     С.БЯМБАЦОГТ: ЗАСГИЙН ГАЗАР ОЮУ ТОЛГОЙН АСУУДЛЫН ЗАНГИЛААГ ТАЙЛНА WWW.ITOIM.MN НИЙТЭЛСЭН:2025/08/26    

Category

Events

Events

Name organizer Where
MBCC “Doing Business with Mongolia seminar and Christmas Receptiom” Dec 10. 2024 London UK MBCCI London UK Goodman LLC

NEWS

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IN-VR and Mongolian National Mining Association Announce Strategic Partnership to Promote MiningWeek & MinePro 2025 www.newsfilecorp.com

London, United Kingdom--(Newsfile Corp. - April 30, 2025) - IN-VR is proud to announce its new strategic partnership with the Mongolian National Mining Association (MNMA) to promote MiningWeek & MinePro 2025 - International Mining Exhibition & Convention, taking place from September 11-13, 2025, in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.
This landmark collaboration brings together global expertise and regional leadership to elevate MiningWeek & MinePro 2025 as Asia's premier mining platform, showcasing Mongolia's critical role in the global mineral supply chain.
Positioning Mongolia at the Heart of Global Mining
MiningWeek & MinePro 2025 will serve as the international meeting point for government officials, global mining leaders, investors, and industry pioneers, providing unmatched opportunities for investment facilitation, technological exchange, and high-level dialogue.
Building on the overwhelming success of the 2024 edition—which featured over 7,000 visitors, 350 organizations, 100+ demo equipment displays, and delegations from 20+ countries—MiningWeek & MinePro 2025 is set to be even more impactful.
What to Expect at MiningWeek & MinePro 2025
120,000m² Exhibition Space: Showcasing the latest in mining technology, heavy equipment, and innovation
Strategic Sessions: Featuring topics on procurement policy, critical minerals, green initiatives, responsible mining, exploration, and financing
Presentations & Panel Discussions: Led by government leaders, global dealmakers, and future-forward innovators
Exclusive Roundtable Meetings: Uniting mining associations, policymakers, and private sector leaders to explore collaborative pathways
Business Matchmaking: Targeted networking and deal facilitation among C-level executives, advisors, and procurement decision-makers
Why Mongolia?
Mongolia's vast mineral reserves—including copper, uranium, rare earths, and lithium—place the nation at the strategic crossroads of global mining demand and supply. Bordering China, the world's largest mining market, Mongolia is increasingly recognized as an essential source of critical and transitional minerals.
The Mongolian government is investing heavily in geological surveys, resource mapping, and infrastructure development, providing international partners with unprecedented access, transparency, and reliability.
Through MiningWeek & MinePro 2025, IN-VR and MNMA are committed to enhancing Mongolia's global visibility, attracting foreign direct investment, and fostering a responsible and innovative mining ecosystem.
Quote from IN-VR Leadership
Chryssa Tsouraki, CEO of IN-VR:
"We are thrilled to partner with the Mongolian National Mining Association to promote MiningWeek & MinePro 2025. Mongolia is uniquely positioned to lead the next era of sustainable mining in Asia. Through this partnership, we aim to attract global investment and spotlight Mongolia's dynamic potential across the international stage."
Register Today & Join the Mining Future
MiningWeek & MinePro 2025 is more than an exhibition—it's a global convention for those who lead, invest, and innovate in mining.
Pre-registration is now open. Don't miss your chance to join thousands of global stakeholders in shaping the future of mining.
Pre-Register here: https://www.netzerocircle.org/mong.../register-your-interest
About IN-VR
IN-VR is a leading global consultancy specializing in energy, mining, and investment promotion, bridging the gap between governments and the private sector. With a track record of organizing premier industry summits, IN-VR facilitates high-impact investment opportunities and strategic collaborations worldwide.
About the Mongolian National Mining Association (MNMA)
Founded in 1994, MNMA is Mongolia's foremost institution dedicated to promoting sustainable mining practices, influencing national mining policy, and supporting the responsible growth of the industry. The association serves as a critical link between Mongolia's mining stakeholders and the global investment community.

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Soft Loans to Be Provided to Enterprises Operating Year-Round Tourism www.montsame.mn

During its regular session on April 30, 2025, the Cabinet of Mongolia approved three Resolutions, “On Certain Measures to Accelerate Development of the Northern Region,” “On Certain Measures to Develop Year-Round Tourism,” and “On Certain Measures to Support the Development of Industrial and Technology Parks in the Northern Region.”
Under these Resolutions, the following actions will be taken:
Formulate a feasibility study for a thermal power plant with a capacity of no less than 50 MW to be built in Murun soum, Khuvsgul aimag.
Implement paved-road projects along the Khankh–Khatgal and Jargalant–Shine-Ider–Murun routes in Khuvsgul aimag.
Accelerate the construction of the Dashinchilen–Ulziit–Khairkhan–Rashaant–Murun paved road in Bulgan aimag, and prepare design documentation for the Khishig-Undur–Gurvanbulag to Mogod route, and the Bulgan–Murun road to Saikhan–Bayan-Agt and Gurvanbulag–Elsentasarkhai branch.
Launch a soft loan program for enterprises operating in year-round tourism, offering loans at six percent interest for up to six years.
Build new music-and-drama theatres in Bulgan and Khuvsgul aimags.
Create conditions for a direct international flight between the Republic of Korea and Murun soum in Khuvsgul aimag and upgrade the local airport to ICAO 4C standards.
Prepare a feasibility study for a Northern Region Transport and Logistics Hub.
Expand the Erdenet Science and Technology Park into a regional start-up support center.
Commence the expansion and modernisation of the Khankh–Mond border checkpoint.
Implement engineering-infrastructure projects for six local development hubs in the Northern Region through public–private partnerships.
Establish an integrated Training, Research, and Production Complex under the Mongolian University of Science and Technology (MUST) in Erdenet.
Specialize the vocational and technical schools in Orkhon, Khuvsgul, and Bulgan aimags in nature-based tourism, mining, and energy, and study the establishment of an inter-sectoral practical-training base at the Polytechnic College in Khuvsgul to deliver short-term training for infrastructure projects.
Transfer the specialised “Erdenet Medical” hospital, which is currently under the “Erdenet Mining Corporation” SOE, to the Ministry of Health to develop it as a regional cancer diagnosis and treatment sub-centre.
Secure financing for the construction of a 100-bed extension to the Bulgan Aimag General Hospital.
Conduct phased studies to designate protected areas for the freshwater resources, forests, peat bogs, and permafrost of the Lake Khuvsgul and Selenge River basins, and place them under state special protection.
Provide MNT 5.2 billion in working-capital loans to citizens whose businesses were damaged by the fire at the “Shine Murun” Trade and Service Centre in Khuvsgul aimag.

 

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Mongolia Investment Forum Takes Place in New York City www.montsame.mn

With the objective of promoting the development of Mongolia’s capital market to the international community and expanding cooperation, the “Mongolia Investment Forum: New York 2025” was successfully held in New York City, U.S., on April 28-29, 2025. 
During the Forum, Chairman of the Financial Regulatory Commission of Mongolia Jambaajamts Tundev remarked, “In recent years, the Financial Regulatory Commission has placed significant emphasis on strengthening the legal and regulatory foundations of Mongolia’s capital market, ensuring transparency, protecting the rights and interests of investors, and advancing market development in line with international standards. As a result, the market capitalization of the capital market has reached MNT 13 trillion, representing an 11.8 percent increase compared to the previous year, which demonstrates growing investor confidence. Going forward, our focus will be on expanding the capital market and attracting foreign investment by increasing the inflow of foreign direct investment and enhancing cooperation with international regulatory institutions.”
The Mongolia Investment Forum, which aims at deepening cooperation with foreign investors and promoting Mongolia’s economic growth and capital market development, brought together representatives of international financial institutions, investors, policymakers, and the private sector.
Chairman Jambaajamts also participated in a public-private roundtable organized by the Alliance for Financial Inclusion (AFI) in Washington, D.C., where discussions were held on international experience, policy initiatives, and regulatory approaches to direct inclusive green finance into real investments and develop climate-resilient financial systems.
In addition, Mr. Jambaajamts Tundev took part in the Spring Meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank. This year’s meetings were held under the theme “Jobs- The Path to Prosperity,” with global central bank leaders, finance and development ministers, representatives of the private sector and civil society, and academic researchers engaging in discussions on creating sustainable employment opportunities for youth in developing countries. 
During the Spring Meetings, views were exchanged on globally pressing issues such as the current state of the global economy, growth prospects, financial stability, and poverty reduction. According to the Financial Regulatory Commission, Mongolia’s participation in these events marked an important step toward introducing international best practices into the country’s financial market development, attracting foreign investment, and expanding international cooperation.

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Mongolia’s LendMN secures $20m debt financing from Lendable www.fintechfutures.com

LendMN, Mongolia’s first digital lending fintech and subsidiary of AND Global, has secured $20 million in debt financing from London-based investment platform Lendable.
Founded in 2016, LendMN focuses on providing loans to micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) across Mongolia. Since launching in 2017, the company has amassed over 1.3 million registered app users and disbursed more than $70 million in loans to over 3,800 businesses.
A joint stock company listed on the Mongolian Stock Exchange (MSE), LendMN aims to modernise traditional financial services in the country through automated credit scoring, instant disbursements, and AI-powered income verification.
This latest financing marks the largest-ever raise for a Mongolian fintech, LendMN says, and will help support the company's mission to "drive tech-led financial inclusion" for underserved MSMEs.
CEO and board member Uuganbayar Tserendorj notes that the deal could also pave the way for “potential future international investment opportunities".
BY
Cameron Emanuel-Burns is a reporter at FinTech Futures and is dedicated to enhancing the accessibility of fintech for a broader audience.

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Jade Gas Confirms Significant Gas Potential in Mongolia www.tipranks.com

Jade Gas Holdings Limited has successfully completed the drilling of its first two gas production wells at the Red Lake gas field in southern Mongolia, confirming significant gas potential. Both wells are set to begin production this quarter, with ongoing negotiations for commercialization opportunities with CNG manufacturers. This development is expected to enhance Jade’s operational capabilities and market positioning, potentially increasing value for stakeholders.
More about Jade Gas Holdings Limited
Jade Gas Holdings Limited operates in the energy sector, focusing on coal bed methane gas projects. The company is primarily involved in the exploration and production of gas, with a significant project located in the Tavantolgoi basin in the South Gobi region of Mongolia.
YTD Price Performance: -7.50%
Average Trading Volume: 507,416
Technical Sentiment Signal: Buy
Current Market Cap: A$62.41M
See more data about JGH stock on TipRanks’ Stock Analysis page.

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Transforming Remote Mining: How IPCC Technology Can Redefine Open-Pit Operations in Mongolia’s Gobi Desert www.ubpost.mn

In the heart of Mongolia’s Gobi Desert, one of the world’s most mineral-rich yet arid regions, large-scale mining operations face a unique set of challenges. The remoteness, harsh climate, and complete absence of surface water resources not only complicate logistics but also amplify environmental pressures, particularly dust control. As open-pit mining expands deeper into the desert, the conventional reliance on truck-and-shovel methods is being re-evaluated in favor of more sustainable, cost-effective technologies.
One such solution gaining global traction is In-Pit Crushing and Conveying (IPCC)—a hybrid transport technology designed to replace or reduce truck haulage by integrating crushing stations and conveyor belts inside the pit. For Mongolia’s desert operations, where long haul distances and dust generation are compounded by extreme conditions and lack of water for dust suppression, the potential impact of IPCC is transformational.
Environmental Advantages: Reducing Dust, Emissions, and Water Use
Dust suppression is a daily struggle in desert mining environments, where water trucks are deployed continuously to spray pit roads. In regions without rivers or surface water sources, every liter of water is trucked in at high cost. This makes conventional haulage both resource-intensive and environmentally unsustainable.
IPCC significantly reduces the number of haul trucks required, especially for long-distance material transport within the pit. With less heavy vehicle movement on unpaved surfaces, dust generation drops dramatically—lowering the demand for water and reducing airborne particulate emissions. Furthermore, the conveyor systems used in IPCC are electrically powered, offering a substantial reduction in CO₂ emissions compared to diesel trucks.
In addition, the quieter and cleaner operation of conveyors contributes to improved air quality and working conditions, which align with Mongolia’s commitments to sustainable development and responsible mining.
Operational Efficiency: Optimizing Open Pit Mining
Mining deeper in the Gobi Desert is no longer just a question of volume—it’s a question of viability. As pits grow deeper and haul roads extend farther, traditional truck fleets face declining productivity, rising fuel costs, and increased maintenance requirements.
IPCC provides a powerful alternative. By integrating steep-incline conveyors (up to 45°), mines can minimize the footprint of haul roads and reduce the volume of overburden excavation. The result is faster pit deepening with less disturbance, supporting more efficient access to deeper ore bodies or coal seams.
Moreover, conveyor systems offer continuous material flow, avoiding the downtime and queuing typical of truck operations. This hybrid model—combining cyclic (truck) and continuous (conveyor) processes—boosts mine throughput and reliability, even in Mongolia’s extreme conditions.
Economic Impact: Long-Term Cost Reductions
While the upfront capital investment for IPCC systems may appear higher than conventional setups, the long-term cost savings are significant. Studies and implementations worldwide have shown:
Energy savings of up to 16%
Labor productivity improvements of 1.5–2 times
Operating cost reductions of up to 30%
Decreased fuel and lubricant usage
Lower equipment procurement and maintenance costs
In remote locations like the Gobi, where every truck requires fuel, parts, and maintenance shipped from far afield, reducing the haul truck fleet has immediate and measurable economic benefits. IPCC not only lowers operating expenditures but also minimizes supply chain complexity, which is critical for mines located hundreds of kilometers from infrastructure hubs.
Proven Worldwide: Leading Mines Making the IPCC Difference
Globally, several high-profile mining operations have embraced IPCC systems, reaping operational, environmental, and economic rewards. These cases serve as benchmarks for mines in Mongolia considering a similar transition.
1. Chuquicamata Mine – Chile (Codelco)
One of the most prominent IPCC examples is Codelco’s Chuquicamata copper mine in northern Chile. Faced with the challenges of transitioning from open-pit to underground mining, Codelco invested in a fully mobile IPCC system. This allowed them to eliminate over 100 haul trucks, dramatically reducing diesel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. The result is a more efficient, lower-cost operation with a significantly smaller environmental footprint.
2. Grasberg Mine – Indonesia (Freeport-McMoRan)
At the Grasberg copper-gold mine, one of the world’s largest, IPCC plays a vital role in managing deep open-pit operations. By using conveyor belts and semi-mobile crushers, the mine has cut truck haul distances and optimized material handling across steep pit slopes, improving safety and reducing fuel use in a remote, mountainous location.
3. Mae Moh Mine – Thailand (Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand)
As one of the largest open-pit lignite mines in Southeast Asia, Mae Moh implemented an IPCC system decades ago, showing the long-term sustainability of this approach. With conveyors replacing trucks for overburden removal, the mine has achieved considerable cost savings and reduced air pollution—critical for operations located near populated areas.
4. Aitik Mine – Sweden (Boliden)
In Sweden’s Aitik copper mine, known for its high-efficiency practices in a cold and remote environment, IPCC has been crucial. The system supports year-round operation while reducing diesel dependency and enabling higher throughput with lower operating costs. Boliden’s approach demonstrates IPCC’s resilience in extreme climates—similar to Mongolia’s Gobi Desert.
IPCC for Sustainable Mining in Mongolia
As Mongolia’s mining industry faces water scarcity, long haul distances, and tightening environmental standards, these international examples show how IPCC can unlock both performance and sustainability. From the Andes to the Arctic, IPCC is already reshaping the mining world—and the Gobi Desert could be next.
The path forward for Mongolia’s remote open-pit mines is clear. Embracing In-Pit Crushing and Conveying systems is more than a technological upgrade—it’s a commitment to efficiency, environmental protection, and long-term economic sustainability.
As global attention increasingly focuses on mining’s environmental footprint, the Gobi Desert could lead by example—transforming its challenges into innovations that shape the next generation of mining.
As Mongolia advances its mining sector as a driver of national growth, adopting modern, environmentally conscious technologies is no longer optional—it is imperative. IPCC presents a compelling opportunity to balance operational performance with environmental stewardship.
For mining companies operating in the Gobi Desert and internationally, where every drop of water, every ton of fuel, and every decibel of noise matters, the transition to smart, efficient, and low-impact solutions like IPCC could define the future of responsible resource development.
BY Batbaatar Chimedtseren
Member of SME
Member of Engineering Federation

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Mongolia Remains Undefeated at the Ice Hockey World Championship 2025 Division III www.montsame.mn

The Ice Hockey World Championship 2025 Division III is taking place in Mexico City, Mexico, from April 21 to May 3, 2025.
At the 10-day Championships, hockey players from Mongolia, the United Mexican States, the Republic of the Philippines, the Republic of Singapore, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China are competing.
The Mongolian National Ice Hockey Team, composed of 21 players and led by Head Coach Mergen Arslan, along with Coaches Otgonbayar Munkhnasan and Mishigsuren Namjil, is participating in the Championship.
In the opening match, the Mongolian team faced the Philippines men's national ice hockey team and secured a 13–7 victory on April 27, 2025. Mongolia then played against the Singapore men's national ice hockey team and won with a score of 11–1 on April 28, 2025.
Previously, the Mongolian National Ice Hockey Team earned the silver medal in the Ice Hockey World Championship 2023 and claimed the gold medal in the Ice Hockey World Championship 2024 Division IV.

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Prime Minister Oyun-Erdene Visits Egiin Gol Hydropower Plant Project Site www.montsame.mn

 Prime Minister of Mongolia Oyun-Erdene Luvsannamsrai visited the Egiin Gol Hydropower Plant Project site, located in Khutag-Undur soum of Bulgan aimag, on April 29, 2025.
The Egiin Gol Hydropower Plant, the fifth highest priority project in the list of 14 mega projects to be implemented by the Government of Mongolia, aims at reducing energy imports and addressing the growing energy demand of the Central Region of Mongolia.
The World Heritage Committee and the International Union for Conservation of Nature noted that “the one-sided implementation of the Egiin Gol Hydropower Project will not have a significant impact on the ecosystems of the Selenge River and Lake Baikal.” However, they have recommended that the Project’s environmental and social impact assessment should be developed in accordance with UNESCO’s methodology and international standards.
In this context, between 2025 and 2026, a study will be conducted to determine the possible changes in the ecosystem in the Selenge River Basin caused by the construction of the Egiin Gol Hydropower Plant, along with an environmental and social impact assessment, additional studies of the auxiliary port and the main feasibility study, and preparatory work will be carried out to begin construction of the Project. The Mongolian-Russian Expert Working Group agreed to issue the final conclusion within the first half of 2026.
Prime Minister Oyun-Erdene also reviewed the draft master plan for the “Khantai” Natural Tourism Complex for supporting local development.

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‘I felt caught between cultures’: Mongolian musician Enji on her beguiling, border-crossing music www.theguardian.com

Growing up in the icy Mongolian capital of Ulaanbaatar, singing was as natural as speech for Enkhjargal Erkhembayar. “Every day after my parents came home from working in the local power factory, they would gather with a group of friends in our yurt to unwind and someone would always begin to sing,” she says. “Soon, we would all join in, singing old folk songs to keep warm and to express ourselves long into the night.”
As Enji, 33-year-old Erkhembayar is now taking this music into international concert halls, having forged a beguiling hybrid of Mongolian folk music with acoustic jazz improvisation. She anchors her performances in the circular-breathing vocal style of Mongolian long song – a folk tradition where syllables are elongated through freeform vocalisations – her delivery tender and delicate, full of yearning emotion.
Touring China and 11 countries across Europe last year, audiences were “applauding, laughing or crying” despite not understanding her Mongolian lyrics, she says by video call from her apartment in Munich, where she has lived for the past seven years. “It finally gave me a sense of confidence that people can hear this music without thinking it’s nonsense. I felt free to fully express who I am.”
That newfound self-belief takes root in Erkhembayar’s fourth album, Sonor, with confessional lyrics over some of her most wide-ranging music to date. Rather than employ long song vocals, Erkhembayar takes on a whisper-soft register on compositions such as Ulbar, singing wistfully about the beauty of sunset light over a jazz trio instrumental that wouldn’t feel amiss in Norah Jones’s repertoire. A sprightly cover of 80s Mongolian popular song Eejiinhee Hairaar rumbles through a funk-inflected groove of drums and Rhodes piano.
Those evening post-work singing sessions may have been a daily part of her childhood, but Erkhembayar only began learning long song formally while training to become a kindergarten teacher. “I heard about someone who was giving lessons locally and decided to sign up for fun. She explained the techniques to sound big and hone your resonance but said it was only possible to find a real sound if I had the ‘singing gene’, a muscle memory I could tap into,” she says with a smile. “Surprisingly, my sound came within 14 days, it was so natural. I then decided to keep learning for another year, since it felt so incredible to use my voice in that way.”
When bassist Martin Zenker arrived in Ulaanbaatar with a jazz education project from Munich’s Goethe-Institut, one of Erkhembayar’s teaching colleagues suggested she try out for his programme. She was accepted in 2014 and over the next two years Erkhembayar abandoned her teaching career in favour of jazz, her new obsession.
“There isn’t much of a jazz scene in Mongolia, as all the music I would encounter as a younger person was Mongolian artists making English-language pop, which is still largely the case there, or local hip-hop groups like Tatar,” she says. “When I began to learn about jazz with Martin, I fell in love with it because it’s so free and sophisticated – compositions last a lifetime. It’s all about being in the moment and trusting your instinct, which felt the same as singing long song to me.” She visited Munich where she met longtime collaborator Paul Brändle and recorded her 2017 debut, then moved to the city permanently the following year and put out two more acclaimed records, 2021’s Ursgal and 2023’s Ulaan.
Sonor features two spoken-word tracks in German – a language she learned at the Goethe-Institut programme in Mongolia, at the same time as she learned English: the group “communicated mostly through music”, she says. Meanwhile the guitar ballad Ergelt express Erkhembayar’s yearning for home: “Unfamiliar yet familiar, I am forgotten but still my own,” she sings in Mongolian, in a gentle falsetto, over Brändle’s finger-picked guitar lines.
“Ergelt means ‘return’ and it was written last autumn when I was back in Mongolia visiting family,” Erkhembayar says. “I had this bittersweet feeling where I realised how much I’d changed in the years since I’ve been gone. People saw me a little differently in the way I spoke but in Germany I’m also reminded that I’m foreign, since no matter how good my German is, I’m always asked where I’m from. I felt caught between cultures and unsure about where I could return to.”
Yet Erkhembayar’s music draws its beauty from her broad approach. “I still see myself as a jazz singer but I’d love to collaborate with a rapper or people with different voices,” she says. “I feel at my most confident and my music is becoming like my life, something that moves and doesn’t just stay in one place. Jazz, long song, Mongolia or Germany, I don’t know where I’ll end up – but I know I won’t stop singing.”
 Sonor is released via Squama Recordings on 2 May
By Ammar Kalia

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Power of Siberia 2: Economic Opportunity or Geopolitical Risk for Mongolia? www.thediplomat.com

Discussions of the proposed pipeline often focus on the China-Russia dynamic, overlooking Mongolia’s critical role as a transit state.
In 2021, Russia’s state-owned company Gazprom recorded an historic profit of $29 billion, at a time when Moscow supplied approximately 45 percent of the European Union’s natural gas demand. By 2024, however, amid European sanctions stemming from Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Russia’s share of EU natural gas supplies had dropped to around 20 percent. According to Gazprom’s official report, the company posted a loss of $7 billion in 2023. Although Gazprom has not yet published its 2024 international financial statement, the Financial Times reported that the company recently recorded its worst performance in modern history, with a $12.8 billion loss according to Russian accounting standards.
Following its withdrawal from the European market, Moscow reassessed its export strategy and initiated a “pivot to Asia” strategy, aiming to shift its focus toward eastern markets, particularly China.
The steady growth of China’s natural gas demand appears to offer new opportunities for Russian exporters. In 2024, China’s natural gas consumption reached 428 billion cubic meters, and experts project that it will exceed 600 billion cubic meters by 2040. Nonetheless, China’s strategy of expanding domestic production and diversifying its supply sources limits Russia’s leverage.
Among several options Moscow has proposed to expand gas exports to China, the Power of Siberia 2 (PoS-2) project is considered the most practically significant. The PoS-2 would complement the existing Power of Siberia 1 pipeline, which carries gas from fields in northeastern Siberia to China.
Notably, the PoS-2 would pass through Mongolia. In fact, the idea of the PoS-2 pipeline took shape in August 2020 when the government of Mongolia and Gazprom signed a memorandum of understanding to establish a feasibility study. Since then, what had long been a theoretical proposal has evolved into a tangible project, sparking extensive debate among policymakers, researchers, and the broader public.
For major powers, such energy infrastructure projects typically serve to expand export routes or reinforce supply networks. However, for Mongolia, this pipeline is a “mega-project” that demands the utmost caution and strategic foresight. In short, Mongolia must fully recognize that it is becoming entangled in the increasingly complex dynamics of the “no-limits” partnership between Russia and China – a partnership that, particularly in the current climate of shifting global order, is aimed at counterbalancing the West.
The Kazakhstan Alternative
In November 2024, during the “ROSTKI: Russia and China – Mutually Beneficial Cooperation” forum, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak raised the possibility of building a pipeline capable of supplying 35 billion cubic meters of gas annually to China – not via Mongolia and the PoS-2, but via Kazakhstan. He outlined three potential routes: constructing a new pipeline across certain regions of western Kazakhstan; connecting to China’s “West-East Gas Pipeline” network; or revitalizing the existing Central Asia–Center pipeline system, which links Russia to Turkmenistan’s gas fields.
Russia estimates that the project would require $10 billion in investment, with an expected operational launch in 2029 and full capacity to be reached by 2034. Moscow also emphasized that it remains committed to advancing the Sakhalin-Khabarovsk-Vladivostok and PoS-2 projects.
Russia’s active approach clearly reflects the high strategic priority Moscow places on expanding energy exports through every possible channel.
From Kazakhstan’s perspective, there is a relatively strong interest in serving as a transit country between Moscow and Beijing, driven by several factors. First, by facilitating Russian gas transit, Kazakhstan can secure cheap natural gas supplies for its western provinces, freeing up approximately 10 billion cubic meters of gas for export to Europe at higher prices.
Second, in exchange for allowing Russia to use its territory for transit, Kazakhstan could secure Moscow’s approval for constructing a pipeline across the Caspian Sea – a project crucial for diversifying and securing Kazakhstan’s own export routes.
However, earlier this month, China’s ambassador to Russia, Zhang Hanhui, stated in an interview with Interfax that the project to import natural gas via Kazakhstan was not feasible. He explained, “At present, the single pipeline between Kazakhstan and China is already heavily burdened. Building a new pipeline through Kazakhstan would require significant additional costs.”
From the ambassador’s remarks, it is clear that China prefers to advance the PoS-2 project. “We have agreed on the implementation of the project. The primary issue now is to finalize the route,” Zhang emphasized. “One option is through Mongolia, and the other is not. For us, the choice of route is less important than receiving the gas within a short timeframe.”
The ambassador’s comments make it evident that both Moscow and Beijing have reached a consensus on implementing the PoS-2 project. For Mongolia, which is embarking for the first time on a major trilateral project with its two neighbors, it is critical to carefully assess the strategic goals underpinning Moscow and Beijing’s cooperation, the evolving nature of their relationship, and the shifting dynamics of the external environment.
China’s rejection of the Kazakhstan route is not merely economic. Currently, China is connected to Turkmenistan through three major gas pipelines, and with the upcoming commissioning of “Line D,” annual imports could reach 65 billion cubic meters. Beijing’s energy strategy seeks to diversify suppliers while preserving control over supply channels in Central Asia.
China’s strategic behavior underscores its efforts to maintain influence in Central Asia while avoiding an overdependence on any single supplier, including Russia. Thus, Beijing’s support for PoS-2 is aligned with its broader geopolitical and energy security goals.
For Mongolia, participation in the PoS-2 project demands a careful balancing of the evolving dynamics between its two neighbors against its own long-term national interests. It is essential to recognize that once the pipeline is constructed, it would be virtually impossible to reverse or dismantle. Therefore, Mongolia must view the project not merely through an economic lens but as a complex undertaking intertwined with political, geopolitical, and national security considerations.
It is important to note that China’s 2019 National Defense White Paper explicitly states that one of the key roles of China’s armed forces is “to effectively protect the security and legitimate rights and interests of overseas Chinese people, organizations, and institutions.” Russia’s Foreign Policy Concept similarly emphasizes the protection of its interests beyond its borders. Thus, beyond focusing solely on project-specific contracts and negotiations, Mongolia must also thoroughly study and understand the strategic doctrines and policy documents of its two powerful neighbors.
The PoS-2 project could offer Mongolia an opportunity to foster mutual trust and launch a new era of constructive cooperation with its neighbors. Yet, from a broader theoretical perspective, a small, landlocked state’s vulnerability is often directly tied to the dynamics between its larger neighbors. If the “no-limits” partnership between Russia and China were to deteriorate, leading to a cooling of relations, Mongolia would find itself in an increasingly precarious external environment. In such a scenario, Mongolia’s ability to balance potential pressures from both sides could be severely constrained.
This project, while promising potential economic benefits such as increased investment, closer regional ties, and transit revenues, also carries the risk that Mongolia could become an arena for future geopolitical competition between major powers.
Ultimately, the unfolding great power dynamics surrounding the PoS-2 project place Mongolia at a critical crossroads, where decisions made today could shape the country’s fate for decades to come.
By Uyanga Uugankhuu

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