From the outset, artisanal mining has been subject to negative public perceptions and attitudes, and a high level of misunderstanding about the sector itself. In general, legal policymakers and people in urban areas were vehemently opposed to the development of a law on artisanal mining, believing it to be an illegal and temporary phenomenon. However, since 2002 the Government of Mongolia and the Parliament have been working towards establishing a legal, regulatory, organisational and institutional framework for artisanal mining in order to contribute to rural development, employment and poverty reduction...more download

This assessment of the current ASM temporary regulations was not intended to be an exhaustive analysis. The objective was to identify the main conceptual issues which have the potential to negatively influence the legal framework. This analysis has attempted to use knowledge and insights on what has and has not worked in regulating ASM in many countries around the world in combination with the author's observations on the particular challenges unique to Mongolia.  The consultant's view is that it is essential that the SAM project has an analytical position in regard to the policies, programs and regulations currently promulgated and others that will be issued during the SAM project's duration... download

An assessment on implementation of temporary regulation on Artisanal and Small Scale Mining operations in Mongolia approved by the Government Resolution No: 72 in 2008 was made under the SAM Project in order to identify its enforcement progress, advantages and disadvantages, and constraints/difficulties encountered. download

As of December 31, 2008, the 87 % of ASM communities extract gold (hard rock and placer mines), 7 % tungstan, 6 % fluorspar, and 0.3 % (MRPAM statistics). Assessment was conducted in four project sites (gold mining), coal mines in Nalaikh, and Airag Soum of Dornogovi Aimag (fluorspar) inviting artisanal miners and local government officials for interviews, consultative meetings (totally over 150 individuals), and questionnaires (totally 60 individuals).