Government has ultimately decided to extend its ban on new licenses for mining exploration.

The Democratic Party has opted to extend the ban on the issuance of special licenses for mining exploration following the expiration of the law on 31 December. However, members of the group decided that the ban shall only extend until the passage of a new Minerals Law.

Parliament has promised to adopt the new Minerals Law in the near future. It also urged the standing committee responsible to submit a draft for the law immediately. In response, D. Battulga, the head of the Office of the President, said a draft will soon be ready for submission.