Mining operations degrade over 18,300 hectares of land in Mongolia

ULAN BATOR, Sept. 8 (Xinhua) — Mining operations have damaged at least 18,366 hectares of land across Mongolia as of 2020, the country’s Environment and Tourism Ministry said Tuesday.

“Mongolian government’s action plan (2020-2024) includes 10 key green development activities. One of them is the rehabilitation of areas damaged by mining activities,” the ministry said in a statement.

It is estimated that of the total degraded land, over 7,600 hectares can be rehabilitated.

At present, over 1,050 hectares of the degraded land are being rehabilitated, according to the ministry.

Mining is the most important sector for Mongolia’s economy. The country is rich in natural resources such as gold, iron, coal and copper.

However, mining-related ecological degradation has become one of the main challenges facing the Asian country.

More than 700 mining licenses in the country have been revoked for violations of laws and rules over the past several years. Enditem

Source: http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2020-09/08/c_139352983.htm