Mongolian Mining Corporation Limited (MMC) announced the completion of a project to expand the border crossing capacity at the Gashuun Sukhait border checkpoint for coal transport. The company and its subsidiary, Energy Resources LLC, worked jointly with the state-owned firm Erdenes MGL LLC for the project.

According to a government resolution, Erdenes MGL led the consortium, and MMC subsidiary Gobi Road LLC managed the construction and project management of the border crossing expansion at the border point, which began in June 2011. The consortium deemed operations completed on 12 January.

The project included the construction of eight new lanes for cross-border trucks, in addition to existing four lanes. Also was the addition of support buildings, infrastructure and facilities for inspection at the “no-man” buffer zone between Mongolia and China. The Gashuun Sukhait border point now has the reported capacity for 1,200 loaded trucks to China each day, a three-fold increase.

The expansion should boost coal export volume and truck turnaround over the border point, reducing transportation costs for MMC. The company also expects the project will result in better environmental and safety conditions.