Economic Policy Reform and Competitiveness Project

Continuing to work toward a national consensus and building knowledge for informed dialogue on mining sector issues in Mongolia, the project, in close collaboration with the Confederation of Mongolian Trade Unions (CMTU) and the Mongolian Employers Federation (MONEF), conducted a series of seminars for mining sector companies and journalists during May. The seminars were divided into six modules of half a day each as follows:

• Seminar for sixteen members of industry and MONEF held at MONEF on 6 April
• Six half-day seminar series held on 19, 21, 23, 26, and 28 April at the USAID Resource Center for sixty-eight participants representing thirty mining companies
• Seminar for twenty-eight journalists held at The Press Institute on 22 April

The seminar series on ‘Conflict resolution: Costs, risks, and avoidance’ was designed as a collaborative effort among CMTU, MONEF, and the project to assist companies, civil society, and government in gaining an understanding of complaints, grievances, and conflicts and the value in addressing them before they escalate. The seminars are part of a larger effort of CMTU, MONEF, and the project to educate stakeholders on mining issues, develop skills for clear communications of expectations of all parties, as well as processes and institutions for a tripartite dialogue among government, civil society, and industry.

Dr. Rena Guenduez, Senior Mining Advisor and Development Specialist, delivered the five part seminar. Participants gained an understanding of mining complaints, grievances, and conflicts; risk and conflict prevention; and mechanisms of resolution. The seminar concluded with the detailed examination by participants of an international case study of a grievance that escalated into an extremely contentious conflict. The case study enabled participants to use skills gained in the seminar sessions and develop alternative outcomes.

As Mongolia seeks to develop its mining sector in a positive and sustainable way, mining activities will increasingly impact people in their everyday lives and throughout their communities. The growing presence, activities, and actions of mining in local communities can often trigger local community or herder complaints and grievances that can potentially escalate into conflicts. International experiences show that these conflicts are costly not only to companies but also to government and communities. On the threshold of a burgeoning mining sector, Mongolia has an opportunity to benefit from best global practices by educating stakeholders and setting processes and institutions that mitigate the costs of unresolved grievances, complaints, and conflicts.

During May, CMTU, MONEF, and the project plan to continue offering these seminars to civil society organizations and the private sector.