The Australian Chamber of Commerce in Mongolia hosted a media breakfast on 25 September 2026 under the theme “Mining Tax and Licence Transfers: Implications for Mongolia’s Investment Environment.”

The meeting brought together economic journalists and media professionals to discuss recent and proposed changes to the Minerals Law, mining tax regulations and the transfer of mining licences, with a focus on their potential implications for investor confidence, competitiveness and regulatory predictability.

Speaking on Mongolia’s copper royalty and strategic deposits, Peter Thompson, Chair of AustCham Mongolia’s Business Development Committee and CEO of Bayan Airag Exploration LLC, highlighted several factors affecting Mongolia’s attractiveness as an exploration destination.

“Why are foreign companies not coming to explore?”

Among the issues highlighted were Mongolia’s relatively high copper royalty, uncertainty around potential state participation of up to 34% in deposits classified as “strategic,” limitations on applying for vacant exploration ground, permitting delays involving three levels of government, and the limited availability of state-supported regional exploration data such as airborne surveys.

He noted that greater clarity and predictability around these issues could be important in encouraging further exploration and long-term investment in Mongolia’s mineral sector.

The second presentation was delivered by Z. Gantbolor, AustCham Board Director and CEO of Erdenejas LLC, who presented the “Comparative Study of Mongolia’s Taxation of Mining Exploration and Mining Licence Transfers, 2026.”

Gantbolor noted that Mongolia’s right to tax indirect transfers is broadly aligned with international norms, while highlighting that the key issue for reform is how the taxable value is determined.

“The pivotal reform issue is the methodology used to determine taxable value.”

The discussion also examined the importance of establishing clear, transparent and predictable rules for taxation and licence transfers, while maintaining Mongolia’s ability to generate public revenue and attract responsible long-term investment.

The session was moderated by B. Bayartogtokh, President of the Economic Journalists’ Club and Editor-in-Chief of Mining.mn, and concluded with an open Q&A covering mining taxation, exploration, licence transfers, regulatory reform and Mongolia’s investment environment.

The media breakfast provided an opportunity for open dialogue on the policy and regulatory conditions shaping Mongolia’s mining sector and its ability to attract future exploration and investment.