Mongolian Energy Corporation Limited (MoEnCo) has completed construction on the 311 kilometer Khushuut Road at the beginning of November. This week after receiving conclusion permission in writing, the firm began coal shipment exports to China.

“The commission of the Khushuut Road indicates a milestone in our coking coal exporting and our team will continue our efforts in all aspects to expand our Khushuut operations.” said MEC Chief Executive Officer James Schaeffer Jr.

MoEnCo is the first mining company to successfully construct the longest paved road for coal transport in Mongolia. Stretching 311 kilometers from Khushuut mine site to Yarang and Takeshensken border (Xinjiang), the road crosses five sub-provinces of Khovd Aimag. There are 17 bridges and more than 200 waste water pipes built along the road. MEC built the road for a payload of up to 110 tons.

The road should reduce the operating costs to mining operations. What once took eight hours of travel on a gravel road will now take half the time. The project is the biggest infrastructure development project for Khovd. In addition to transportation for the community, the road project created hundreds of jobs for local communities and an income for local governments. The paved road should also minimize negative environment impact to the area by minimizing the potential dust which is normally caused by coal transport on gravel roads.