A significant copper deposit has been discovered in northern Mongolia, with reserves exceeding 1.1 million tonnes of copper. The Oyuut deposit lies just three kilometers from the Erdenet-Ovoo mine, one of Mongolia’s largest and longest-operating copper deposits.
Preliminary estimates place Oyuut’s reserves at 357 million tonnes of ore with an average copper grade of 0.32%. The state-owned mining company Erdenet will lead the development, with plans for a mine life of 30–35 years. A concentrator plant capable of processing 5–10 million tonnes of ore annually is also planned, and the Mongolian government has already instructed the preparation of a feasibility study.
Russian geologists made a key contribution to the discovery. Between 2020 and 2023, Rosgeo conducted exploration work in the Erdenet mining district on behalf of Erdenet Mining Corporation. Their studies identified four promising areas for further exploration and designed 17 drill holes at the Oyuut site to confirm geochemical and geophysical findings. Supported by their Russian counterparts, Erdenet geologists carried out extensive exploration that led to the confirmation of substantial copper reserves.
This discovery not only strengthens Mongolia’s position in the global copper market but also underscores the value of international geological cooperation.
