The Mongolian mining industry is a big part of the firm’s client base. Of course, mining in Mongolia is a very carefully regulated sector. Mongolian mining companies require a special mining license to legally manage a mine or conduct geological exploration activities. In some cases, a valid mining license may be revoked by the government. It is important to be mindful of these circumstances so that steps may be taken to avoid such a risk.
The State administrative agency will revoke a mining and exploration license on the following grounds:
One of the general requirements to hold exploration and mining license are that the legal entity holding the mining license, should be incorporated under the laws of Mongolia and must be Mongolian taxpayer for the entire duration of a valid license. Without meeting this requirement will be one of the grounds to be revoked the licenses. If a company is not paying correct taxes, it is at risk.
Another important requirement is to pay license fees on time as specified in the law. The amount of the license fee will be calculated on the basis of the measurements of the real estate covered by the license. Timely payment of the required license fees will be determined by the date of the transaction as recorded at the bank. The license holder must pay the license fees each year in advance, on or before the anniversary date of the issuance of the license. If the fee is not paid in advance, the company will be levied fines of 0.3 percent of the annual payment amount for each day overdue. If payment is overdue for 30 days or more the license is at risk of being revoked.
Where a designated area for exploration or mining has been reclassified as a “special purpose territory” by a decision of the Government, or it has been prohibited by the law to explore or mine in such area, the government may compensate the mining and exploration license holder, and duly revoke the license ;
If a company holding an exploration license is not conducting expected exploration activities, as indicated by annual exploration expenditures being lower than the expected minimum cost of exploration, the license for such exploration may be revoked.
A license may be revoked if environmental authorities determine the license holder has not adequately carried out its environmental conservation duties.
Where a designated area for exploration or mining has been identified as a cultural heritage area, the license will be revoked.
If it is determined that the license holder has breached obligations under Mongolian Law as it relates to fresh water conservation, the license will be revoked.