Power agreement signed on Tavan Tolgoi

The Power Source Framework Agreement is signed between the government  and Oyu Tolgoi LLC, in order to develop Tavan Tolgoi Power plant. Tavan Tolgoi, the world’s largest coal deposit, has been part of the Oyu Tolgoi negotiations with Ivanhoe and Rio Tinto from the start.

Oyu Tolgoi is heavily entangled with Tavan Tolgoi, due to its demand for energy, Tavan Tolgoi’s proximity, and the Mongolian demand in the  OTIA that power for the mine has to be sourced within Mongolia (rather than from China). A preliminary agreement was signed in 2014 but then retracted.

[1] http://ot.mn/the-ttpp-power-source-framework-agreement-signed/, https://globenewswire.com/news-release/2018/12/31/1679071/0/en/Oyu-Tolgoi-and-the-Government-of-Mongolia-sign-Power-Source-Framework-Agreement-for-Tavan-Tolgoi-based-power-project.html, https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-riotinto-mongolia/rio-tinto-mongolia-sign-power-deal-for-oyu-tolgoi-copper-mine-idUKKCN1OU0QL, accessed 02/01/2019

3 ministers accused of corruption

Former Mongolian finance minister Bayartsogt Sangajav is arrested early April by Mongolia’s Independent Agency Against Corruption. This happens after a Swiss federal court ruled legitimate the seizure of Bayartsogt’s Swiss bank accounts holding USD 10 million; money that is allegedly linked to his signing of the Oyu Tolgoi Investment Agreement in 2009.

Besides, two former Mongolian prime ministers are detained by the agency. They are accused of abuse of office, related to the Oyu Tolgoi Mine, the Oyu Tolgoi Investment Agreement in 2009, and Oyu Tolgoi second phase underground development and financing plan in 2015.

Presidential elections

Khaltmaagiin Battulga (Democratic party) is elected.

Legislative elections

Mongolian People’s party wins the Mongolian State Great Khural elections with a landslide result: 46% of the votes.

Presidential elections

Tsakhiagiin Elbegdorj is re-elected (Democratic Party).

President openly questions Oyu Tolgoi Investment Agreement

President Elbegdorj questions the Oyu Tolgoi Investment Agreement (OTIA) in a speech, and raises the question about the need for its revision, so that export revenues remain in Mongolia and more higher skilled jobs are filled by Mongolians.[1] Rio Tinto’s accounts are briefly frozen.

[1] https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/mongolia-amid-influx-of-foreign-money-clashes-with-a-major-partner-mining-giant-rio-tinto/2013/05/03/e66aa832-b0e9-11e2-bbf2-a6f9e9d79e19_story.html?noredirect=on&utm_term=.dc3cde5ad1f3, retrieved 7 September 2018

Legislative elections

The Democratic Party wins the elections for the Mongolian parliament (State Great Khural) with 35% of the cast votes.

Presidential elections

Tsakhiagiin Elbegdorj is elected (Democratic Party).

Elections and demonstrations

The 2008 elections were accompanied by demonstrations, which were met with a four day State of Emergency, resulting in 4 dead and 300 imprisoned.

Democratic revolution of 1990

The revolution started with demonstrations to overthrow the Mongolian People’s Republic and to support the writing of the new constitution.