Mongolia’s Critical Minerals: Key takeaways from MiningWeek, London 2026
On the 24th of February 2026, industry leaders, investors, and policymakers gathered in London for MiningWeek & MinePro 2026, an event organised with Mongolia’s Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources to attract international investment into the country’s rapidly evolving mining sector. For QARAS Global, the event was an important opportunity to engage directly with government leaders, financial institutions, and mining stakeholders while reinforcing our role as a trusted bridge between Mongolia’s mineral resources and global commodity markets. Strengthening Mongolia’s Position in Global Critical Minerals The event opened with remarks from G. Damdinnyam, Mongolia’s Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources, who outlined Mongolia’s mining policy framework and the government’s ongoing regulatory reforms. He emphasised the country’s commitment to transparency, sustainability, and long-term foreign investment. The international dimension of Mongolia’s mining partnerships was also evident. Fiona Blyth, UK Ambassador to Mongolia, attended alongside senior Mongolian and UK stakeholders, highlighting growing UK-Mongolia cooperation in mining and critical minerals development. Oliver Richards, Head of Critical Minerals & Mining International at the UK Department for Business and Trade, provided a global outlook on critical minerals supply. He highlighted the concentration risks in global supply chains and the rising demand driven by electric vehicles, clean energy technologies, and advanced manufacturing. Richards also outlined the UK’s 10-year Critical Minerals Strategy, which aims to: The strategy is supported by expanding partnerships across Central Asia, including agreements with Kazakhstan (2023), Mongolia (2024), Uzbekistan (2025), and Kyrgyzstan (2025). Sustainable Investment and the Role of International Finance Representatives from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) shared their perspective on responsible mining and sustainable investment. James Lea-Cox, Head of Extractive Industries and SME at EBRD, emphasised that mining aligned with international environmental and social standards can be a powerful driver of economic development and the green transition. EBRD-supported projects must meet strict requirements including: Natalia Lacorzana, Director of Natural Resources at EBRD, outlined the bank’s investment priorities for 2024-2028, focusing on decarbonisation, digital innovation, and ESG improvements within mining operations. She also introduced initiatives such as the Junior Mining Programme (JUMP), designed to prepare early-stage mining projects for institutional investment. Meanwhile, Rene van Hell, EBRD Board Director representing Mongolia, highlighted Mongolia’s significant potential in critical minerals and rare earth elements, noting the bank’s commitment to acting as a long-term sustainable investment partner in the country. Panel discussions under the theme “From Strategy to Capital” explored how mining projects can connect with institutional capital, strengthen ESG standards, and expand international partnerships. The event also facilitated project presentations, investor discussions, and B2B meetings between mining companies, financial institutions, and industry participants. Mongolia’s Mineral Advantage Mongolia holds one of the world’s most diverse mineral endowments, with more than 8,000 identified deposits including coal, copper, fluorspar, gold, iron ore, rare earth elements, tungsten, uranium, and zinc. Mongolia has attracted over USD 42.4 billion in cumulative foreign investment since 1990, with around 70-73% directed to the mining sector (Mongolian Mining Journal, 2024) Geographically, Mongolia’s proximity to China, the world’s largest commodity consumer, combined with improving logistics links to Europe and Northeast Asia, makes it a highly competitive sourcing location for global commodities and critical minerals. Where does QARAS Global Fit? Unlocking Mongolia’s mineral potential requires more than opportunity. It requires trusted local access and operational expertise. QARAS Global is a Mongolia and Central Asia-focused commodities trading company with over 15 years of in-country presence. Through our local entity RealSource LLC, we manage trade facilitation, logistics, and compliance directly from Mongolia. Our long-standing relationships with mine owners, geologists, testing laboratories, logistics operators, and domestic regulatory agencies allow our partners to access Mongolia’s mineral resources with significantly reduced operational and commercial risk. From our bases in Ulaanbaatar and London, we bridge frontier-market opportunities with international trade in bulk commodities, energy resources, and critical minerals. Let’s work together Events like MiningWeek & MinePro demonstrate the growing global interest in Mongolia’s mining sector. As the industry evolves and international capital seeks reliable partners on the ground, QARAS Global is well positioned to facilitate responsible, transparent, and efficient mineral trade. If you are exploring sourcing opportunities, investment partnerships, or project collaboration in Mongolia and Central Asia, we welcome the conversation. Contact QARAS Global to explore how we can support your next venture in the region.