Gulf states want to be part of Mongolia's critical mineral exploration as they look to build supply chains for commodities essential to the energy transition, the country's prime minister has told The National.
Luvsannamsrai Oyun-Erdene visited the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Bahrain last week to deepen economic ties with the region, particularly in mining, renewable energy and infrastructure.
The landlocked nation between China and Russia has been building diplomatic and economic relationships with countries other than Russia and China, its two biggest trade partners.
“The governments of the Gulf countries have expressed their interest to work with us on geological survey and mapping of critical minerals so that we can co-operate on exploration projects,” Mr Oyun-Erdene said.
“We have abundant resources of minerals. As for the Gulf countries, they have the know-how and the technology, especially in energy.”
We have abundant resources of minerals. The Gulf countries have the know-how and technology
Luvsannamsrai Oyun-Erdene,
Mongolian Prime Minister
Mongolia, a major coking coal and copper exporter primarily to China, aims to expand its exploration of new deposits of critical minerals, including nickel, lithium, and rare earths. The Oyu Tolgoi project, which is majority-owned by mining company Rio Tinto, is expected to become the world's fourth-largest copper mine by output by 2030.
Critical minerals such as copper, lithium, nickel and cobalt are crucial to support the growth of clean energy technology, including wind turbines, power grids and electric vehicles.
The UAE and Saudi Arabia have been exploring or investing in mining projects in Africa and Latin America, regions abundant in critical minerals. They are also prioritising the development of domestic processing capabilities to reduce reliance on foreign suppliers and add value to their economies.
Mr Oyun-Erdene said that the Gulf and Mongolia could also partner on energy transition projects and the construction of satellite cities in Mongolia.
On Saturday, Masdar hosted a Mongolian delegation led by Mr Oyun-Erdene to discuss collaboration on renewable energy, sustainable development, and expertise sharing to strengthen bilateral trade ties, the Abu Dhabi-based clean energy company said in a post on X. The official also met with Abu Dhabi’s sovereign wealth funds.
“It is very important for Mongolia to learn from the best practices and good experiences of these countries … and the Gulf countries have also expressed their interest to co-operate with us on satellite cities,” Mr Oyun-Erdene said.
Mongolia is actively developing satellite cities around its capital, Ulaanbaatar, which is home to about half of the country’s population. A major city is the planned Khushigt Valley project, which will be able to accommodate 150,000 people by 2040, as per local media reports.
Deal with India
Last month, Reuters reported that India is in talks with Mongolia to set up a preliminary pact that will focus on mineral shipments between the two countries. The pact will focus on the transit of minerals such as coal and copper, it said.
“We are in talks with the government of India on exporting coking coal,” Mr Oyun-Erdene said but did not reveal further details.
A rise in global coking coal trade last year was largely driven by Mongolia, which more than doubled its exports during the year to about 54 million tonnes, according to the International Energy Agency.
China is the main buyer of Mongolian coal. A new railway between Talvan Tolgoi in southern Mongolia and Gashuunsukhait-Gantzmod on the Chinese border became operational in late 2022, significantly boosting Mongolia's capacity to export coal to the world’s second-largest economy and top steel manufacturing country.
Mongolia is “very active in terms of foreign policy, and we are co-operating with many countries around the world”, Mr Oyun-Erdene said.
Last year, France and Mongolia signed a $1.7 billion agreement to develop the Zuuvch-Ovoo uranium mine in south-west Mongolia. The project, led by the French nuclear company Orano, aims to secure uranium supplies for France, which is heavily reliant on nuclear power plants, while also contributing to Mongolia's economic growth.
Mr Oyun-Erdene said that both countries would soon finalise an investment agreement, paving the way for construction to begin.
Economic growth
Mongolia’s economy is expected to record strong growth next year, driven by continued expansion of coal and copper mining. Last month, the International Monetary Fund raised its forecast for Mongolia's economic growth next year to 7 per cent from 6 per cent, positioning the country as one of the world's fastest-growing economies.
Mr Oyun-Erdene is confident that Mongolia will be able to “maintain” its economic growth despite a slowdown in China, its largest trading partner.
“In the near future, we are working to open more export border ports to export to China, so I'm confident that this will facilitate more trade between our two countries and increase the size of our products going to China,” he said.
“So, no matter the economic situation in the world and China, we are confident that we can maintain the economic indicators.”
Infiniti QX80 specs
Engine: twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6
Power: 450hp
Torque: 700Nm
Price: From Dh450,000, Autograph model from Dh510,000
Available: Now
The specs
Engine: Four electric motors, one at each wheel
Power: 579hp
Torque: 859Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh825,900
On sale: Now
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Tips to stay safe during hot weather
- Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids, especially water. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which can increase dehydration.
- Seek cool environments: Use air conditioning, fans, or visit community spaces with climate control.
- Limit outdoor activities: Avoid strenuous activity during peak heat. If outside, seek shade and wear a wide-brimmed hat.
- Dress appropriately: Wear lightweight, loose and light-coloured clothing to facilitate heat loss.
- Check on vulnerable people: Regularly check in on elderly neighbours, young children and those with health conditions.
- Home adaptations: Use blinds or curtains to block sunlight, avoid using ovens or stoves, and ventilate living spaces during cooler hours.
- Recognise heat illness: Learn the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke (dizziness, confusion, rapid pulse, nausea), and seek medical attention if symptoms occur.
SPECS
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The more serious side of specialty coffee
While the taste of beans and freshness of roast is paramount to the specialty coffee scene, so is sustainability and workers’ rights.
The bulk of genuine specialty coffee companies aim to improve on these elements in every stage of production via direct relationships with farmers. For instance, Mokha 1450 on Al Wasl Road strives to work predominantly with women-owned and -operated coffee organisations, including female farmers in the Sabree mountains of Yemen.
Because, as the boutique’s owner, Garfield Kerr, points out: “women represent over 90 per cent of the coffee value chain, but are woefully underrepresented in less than 10 per cent of ownership and management throughout the global coffee industry.”
One of the UAE’s largest suppliers of green (meaning not-yet-roasted) beans, Raw Coffee, is a founding member of the Partnership of Gender Equity, which aims to empower female coffee farmers and harvesters.
Also, globally, many companies have found the perfect way to recycle old coffee grounds: they create the perfect fertile soil in which to grow mushrooms.
Other workplace saving schemes
- The UAE government announced a retirement savings plan for private and free zone sector employees in 2023.
- Dubai’s savings retirement scheme for foreign employees working in the emirate’s government and public sector came into effect in 2022.
- National Bonds unveiled a Golden Pension Scheme in 2022 to help private-sector foreign employees with their financial planning.
- In April 2021, Hayah Insurance unveiled a workplace savings plan to help UAE employees save for their retirement.
- Lunate, an Abu Dhabi-based investment manager, has launched a fund that will allow UAE private companies to offer employees investment returns on end-of-service benefits.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Milestones on the road to union
1970
October 26: Bahrain withdraws from a proposal to create a federation of nine with the seven Trucial States and Qatar.
December: Ahmed Al Suwaidi visits New York to discuss potential UN membership.
1971
March 1: Alex Douglas Hume, Conservative foreign secretary confirms that Britain will leave the Gulf and “strongly supports” the creation of a Union of Arab Emirates.
July 12: Historic meeting at which Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid make a binding agreement to create what will become the UAE.
July 18: It is announced that the UAE will be formed from six emirates, with a proposed constitution signed. RAK is not yet part of the agreement.
August 6: The fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed becoming Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with official celebrations deferred until later in the year.
August 15: Bahrain becomes independent.
September 3: Qatar becomes independent.
November 23-25: Meeting with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and senior British officials to fix December 2 as date of creation of the UAE.
November 29: At 5.30pm Iranian forces seize the Greater and Lesser Tunbs by force.
November 30: Despite a power sharing agreement, Tehran takes full control of Abu Musa.
November 31: UK officials visit all six participating Emirates to formally end the Trucial States treaties
December 2: 11am, Dubai. New Supreme Council formally elects Sheikh Zayed as President. Treaty of Friendship signed with the UK. 11.30am. Flag raising ceremony at Union House and Al Manhal Palace in Abu Dhabi witnessed by Sheikh Khalifa, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.
December 6: Arab League formally admits the UAE. The first British Ambassador presents his credentials to Sheikh Zayed.
December 9: UAE joins the United Nations.
TOURNAMENT INFO
Fixtures
Sunday January 5 - Oman v UAE
Monday January 6 - UAE v Namibia
Wednesday January 8 - Oman v Namibia
Thursday January 9 - Oman v UAE
Saturday January 11 - UAE v Namibia
Sunday January 12 – Oman v Namibia
UAE squad
Ahmed Raza (captain), Rohan Mustafa, Mohammed Usman, CP Rizwan, Waheed Ahmed, Zawar Farid, Darius D’Silva, Karthik Meiyappan, Jonathan Figy, Vriitya Aravind, Zahoor Khan, Junaid Siddique, Basil Hameed, Chirag Suri
THE CLOWN OF GAZA
Director: Abdulrahman Sabbah
Starring: Alaa Meqdad
Rating: 4/5
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Our legal consultant
Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
Ruwais timeline
1971 Abu Dhabi National Oil Company established
1980 Ruwais Housing Complex built, located 10 kilometres away from industrial plants
1982 120,000 bpd capacity Ruwais refinery complex officially inaugurated by the founder of the UAE Sheikh Zayed
1984 Second phase of Ruwais Housing Complex built. Today the 7,000-unit complex houses some 24,000 people.
1985 The refinery is expanded with the commissioning of a 27,000 b/d hydro cracker complex
2009 Plans announced to build $1.2 billion fertilizer plant in Ruwais, producing urea
2010 Adnoc awards $10bn contracts for expansion of Ruwais refinery, to double capacity from 415,000 bpd
2014 Ruwais 261-outlet shopping mall opens
2014 Production starts at newly expanded Ruwais refinery, providing jet fuel and diesel and allowing the UAE to be self-sufficient for petrol supplies
2014 Etihad Rail begins transportation of sulphur from Shah and Habshan to Ruwais for export
2017 Aldar Academies to operate Adnoc’s schools including in Ruwais from September. Eight schools operate in total within the housing complex.
2018 Adnoc announces plans to invest $3.1 billion on upgrading its Ruwais refinery
2018 NMC Healthcare selected to manage operations of Ruwais Hospital
2018 Adnoc announces new downstream strategy at event in Abu Dhabi on May 13
Source: The National
THE BIO
Age: 33
Favourite quote: “If you’re going through hell, keep going” Winston Churchill
Favourite breed of dog: All of them. I can’t possibly pick a favourite.
Favourite place in the UAE: The Stray Dogs Centre in Umm Al Quwain. It sounds predictable, but it honestly is my favourite place to spend time. Surrounded by hundreds of dogs that love you - what could possibly be better than that?
Favourite colour: All the colours that dogs come in
Tips for job-seekers
- Do not submit your application through the Easy Apply button on LinkedIn. Employers receive between 600 and 800 replies for each job advert on the platform. If you are the right fit for a job, connect to a relevant person in the company on LinkedIn and send them a direct message.
- Make sure you are an exact fit for the job advertised. If you are an HR manager with five years’ experience in retail and the job requires a similar candidate with five years’ experience in consumer, you should apply. But if you have no experience in HR, do not apply for the job.
David Mackenzie, founder of recruitment agency Mackenzie Jones Middle East
Volvo ES90 Specs
Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)
Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp
Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm
On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region
Price: Exact regional pricing TBA
MATCH INFO
Manchester City 3 (Sterling 46', De Bruyne 65', Gundogan 70')
Aston Villa 0
Red card: Fernandinho (Manchester City)
Man of the Match: Raheem Sterling (Manchester City)
UAE%20medallists%20at%20Asian%20Games%202023
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ESSENTIALS
The flights
Emirates flies from Dubai to Phnom Penh via Yangon from Dh2,700 return including taxes. Cambodia Bayon Airlines and Cambodia Angkor Air offer return flights from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap from Dh250 return including taxes. The flight takes about 45 minutes.
The hotels
Rooms at the Raffles Le Royal in Phnom Penh cost from $225 (Dh826) per night including taxes. Rooms at the Grand Hotel d'Angkor cost from $261 (Dh960) per night including taxes.
The tours
A cyclo architecture tour of Phnom Penh costs from $20 (Dh75) per person for about three hours, with Khmer Architecture Tours. Tailor-made tours of all of Cambodia, or sites like Angkor alone, can be arranged by About Asia Travel. Emirates Holidays also offers packages.
Company%20profile
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Our legal consultants
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
