Mongolia

Mining in Mongolia dates back to ancient times when nomadic tribes mined and traded minerals such as gold, silver, copper, and iron. The Mongolian Empire, led by Genghis Khan in the 12th century, also engaged in mining and traded valuable minerals with neighboring countries. However, modern mining in Mongolia started in the early 20th century when Russian geologists discovered rich deposits of coal, copper, and other minerals in several areas including Tavan Tolgoi, Erdenet, and Oyu Tolgoi.

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During the Soviet era, mining operations in Mongolia were primarily state-run and focused on extracting coal and other minerals to support the growth of the socialist economy. After Mongolia's transition to a market economy in the 1990s, the government began to encourage foreign investment in the mining sector. This paved the way for large-scale mining projects such as the Oyu Tolgoi copper-gold mine, which is one of the largest mines in the world, and has played a significant role in Mongolia's economic growth in recent years.