Border entries to China increased after Mongolian Prime Minister’s visit to China

Oyundelger 2018-04-21 05:04

Mining

Authorities of Gashuunsukhait border checkpoint informed that coal trucks are passing through three entry ports in Gantsmod border checkpoint starting from this Monday.

Border entries to China increased after Mongolian Prime Minister’s visit to China. Authorities of Gashuunsukhait border checkpoint informed that coal trucks are passing through three entry ports in Gantsmod border checkpoint starting from this Monday. Presently, six entry ports are operating for vehicles exiting Mongolia through Gantsmod border checkpoint. In late 2017, Gantsmod border checkpoint reduced the entry ports for coal trucks to two, drastically reducing Mongolia’s exports. Prime Minister Khurelsukh Ukhnaa met with the authorities of Bayannuur city of Inner Mongolian Autonomous Region during his official visit to People’s Republic of China (PRC) and reached an agreement to increase the entry capacity at the border. Furthermore, sides signed a deal to upgrade Gashuunsukhait-Gantsmod border checkpoints with CNY 148 million non-refundable aid of PRC. The checkpoint is considered the main route for coal export from Tavan Tolgoi residual deposits. Specifically, Erdenes Tavan Tolgoi, Energy Resource and Tavan Tolgoi JSCs are exporting coal to PRC through the checkpoint. Entry capacity at Gashuunsukhait checkpoint is currently 50 seconds per truck, while Gantsmod is 15 seconds according to the Government of Mongolia. In addition, Bayannuur city of Inner Mongolia will independently govern the border checkpoint soon. This will allow direct agreement between the city authorities and Erdenes Tavan Tolgoi JSC on processing 10 million tons of coal. Accordingly, the authorities of Bayannuur city informed that necessary infrastructure and electricity grid have been established in the city. Official sources previously informed that PM Khurelsukh expressed that Mongolia hopes to increase annual coal export to 30 million tons to PRC during his meeting with the President of PRC Xi Jinping.