Aspire Mining says initial coke testing of coal from its Ovoot project in Mongolia has confirmed its high quality coking and blending potential.

Despite ongoing speculation regarding the investment agreement and project finance at the massive Oyu Tolgoi Copper-Gold Project in southern Mongolia, Turquoise Hill Resources has scheduled first commercial production in June. 

All assay results from a 35,000 metre drill program at Haranga Resources’ Selenge Iron Ore Project have been received, confirming wide lodes of mineralization at three prospects. 

Mining technology developer Maptek has appointed the first suppliers of its Vulcan geological modelling and mine planning software in Mongolia and India. The company says the move into these two countries is a crucial step in delivering improved support to Vulcan users.

Prophecy Coal has announced a private placement of 60 million shares in a bid to raise Can$8.4 million to fund construction of the Chandgana power plant. The placement will be issued as a combination of units and special warrants in order to keep the share issuance under 25% of the company’s outstanding common shares. 

Modun Resources says a mining licence for its Nuurst project should be granted by April after the Mineral Resources Authority of Mongolia (MRAM) approved conversion of the project’s exploration licence to a mining permit. 

Turquoise Hill Resources has produced its first copper-gold concentrate at the Oyu Tolgoi complex in southern Mongolia, just weeks after processing the first ore through the concentrator in early January. The company says with the achievement of the first concentrate, commencement of commercial production is expected within the next three to five months. 

Financial difficulties have forced Mongolian coal developer Erdenes Tavan Tolgoi (ETT) to put its $3 billion initial public offering (IPO) on hold for 2013. The company says it is looking to renegotiate a supply deal with Chinese state-owned Aluminium Corporation (Chalco) and will also accept a government fund of $350 million to help pay out the contract and repay its debts on the delayed 7.5 billion tonne development. 

Final preparations are under way for the 3^rd annual international coal investors’ conference ‘Coal Mongolia 2013’ in Ulaanbaatar on February 21-22. Organizers say it is the first time Mongolia’s new government will present its policy and direction for the coal mining sector.

The first President of Mongolia has officially opened Brisbane-based mining solutions consultancy RungePincockMinarco’s (RPM) first software classroom at the Mongolian University of Science and Technology. The classroom is accessible to mining engineering students and equipped with computers from RPM in a move aimed at establishing a centre for technical excellence in mine planning.

Results from a recently completed drill program at Altan Rio Minerals’ Chandman-Yol copper-gold porphyry project in western Mongolia have encouraged the company to test some of the site’s deeper targets. 

Aspire Mining has extended a major strategic partnership to deliver coking coal from the Ovoot project to customers. Noble Group signed a strategic alliance with Aspire in November 2011 and has now agreed to extend its support by providing an underlying supply chain management system.

A private placement of 5.88 million Erdene Resource Development Corp shares has closed, netting the company Can$1 million to go towards advancing its Mongolian projects. 

One of the world’s leading financial centres will host an investment summit for Mongolia, highlighting the significant opportunities for the global market not only in the resources sector but property development, infrastructure and real estate, as the nation’s mining boom continues.

In what will be Mongolia’s largest ever initial public offering, Beren Group subsidiary Beren Mining will issue 30% of its shares to the public this quarter. Mongolia’s Financial Regulatory Committee has approved the offering of more than 522 million shares which is hoped to raise almost US$95 million for the company.

Khan Resources has lodged 500 pages of documentation to support its $300 million damages claim against the Mongolian Government over alleged collusion regarding the takeover of a uranium resource.

Turquoise Hill Resources has started processing ore through the concentrator at the Oyu Tolgoi project, after completing the seven-week commissioning of the mine’s processing equipment. The concentrator was officially opened during an on-site ceremony on December 27 attended by various dignitaries, including Mongolia’s Mining Minister. 

Gold explorer Altan Rio has signed a definitive agreement to acquire a 100% interest in the Khavchuu gold project in northern Mongolia. The company has been in negotiations with Khavchuu Land Mongolia (KLM) since 2010 regarding the acquisition of the 71sqkm site.