1. Wild Growth: An Assessment of Erdenes Mongol
- Author:
- Andrew Bauer and Dorjdari Namkhaijantsan
- Publication Date:
- 06-2019
- Content Type:
- Special Report
- Institution:
- Natural Resource Governance Institute
- Abstract:
- Erdenes Mongol is Mongolia's most influential state-owned mining enterprise. It was established in 2006 to represent the government of Mongolia's interests in strategic mines, manage mineral licenses and promote the mining sector. In recent years Erdenes Mongol has evolved into a complex conglomerate with interests in many sectors, including unconventional oil and gas, roads, hospitality, power generation, steel, and asset management. The company's expansion represents an implicit government choice to invest in specific sectors rather than others, such as education, healthcare or renewable energy. Erdenes Mongol does not publish financial information on most of its subsidiaries and joint ventures. However, many are unprofitable. Those that are profitable, such as the Tavan Tolgoi coal project, have yet to pay any dividends to the state treasury. The Government of Mongolia may wish to consider several reforms, such as: (1) Enacting a new state-owned enterprise or Erdenes Mongol-specific law; (2) Clarifying the company's financial and governance relationship with subsidiaries; (3) Performing project-by-project market assessments in order to determine which assets to purchase and sell; (4) Developing clear criteria and an open process for appointment and dismissal of board members and managers; and, (5) Requiring greater public disclosures and audits, especially of subsidiaries and joint ventures.
- Topic:
- Natural Resources, Business, Mining, and Trade
- Political Geography:
- Mongolia and Asia