Resource politics in Mongolia: Large- and small-scale mines in collision

This paper outlines the debates surrounding the conflicts between large- and small-scale mining in Mongolia. It provides a historical overview of these conflicts, discusses the critical role of mining in Mongolia's international relations and foreign investment, and the chain of economic, social and environmental causes and effects at work in the trend of herders diversifying into (largely informal) mining activities. As we show, despite the rapid changes in relation to land, culture, community currently taking place in Mongolia stemming from neoliberal policies, privatization and deepening disparities in wealth, notions of social justice remain firmly rooted in socialist ethics.

Automated summary

This paper discusses the conflicts between large- and small-scale mining in Mongolia, highlighting the critical role of mining in Mongolia's international relations and foreign investment, as well as the chain of economic, social, and environmental causes and effects at work in the diversification of herders into mining activities. Despite rapid changes in Mongolia due to neoliberal policies, privatization, and deepening wealth disparities, notions of social justice remain rooted in socialist ethics.