Source: Udriin Sonin      June 11, 2010

Mr. D. Batbaatar, a senior official at the Auto Transportation Agency of Mongolia, has said that the railway to be built around strategic deposits will be effective in transporting minerals only if there are roads linking it to the mines and surrounding habitations. The agency is busy preparing its plans for all the work that lies ahead. A problem, even at this preliminary stage, is that soil erosion has been noticed around mines. Building paved roads can never be economically viable in Mongolia, as they will not be used by enough cars to pay toll fees that would help recoup the invested capital. With not enough money for proper maintenance, the surface begins to deteriorate rapidly and the roads are almost unfit to be used after 10 years. The climate also contributes to the damage.

In general, mining companies operating in Mongolia employ Chinese drivers, as there is a dearth of locals with special licenses. The agency is in talks with the Traffic Police Department to change the situation and Mr. Batbaatar is confident that in the next three years, there will be enough Mongolians to do the work that is almost monopolized by Chinese now.