SouthGobi Energy Resources Ltd. announced Monday that it has received final government authorization to begin mining at the company’s Ovoot Tolgoi coal site.

Mongolia has been chosen to host the first Asian university table tennis championship in late April. Held in Ulaanbaatur, the championship will be co-hosted by the Asian University Sport Federation. In 2007, the Federation chose Mongolia to host the first championship matches.

Industry analysts believe mining company mergers may reach “astronomical levels” in 2008. In a report released by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, it was noted that mining mergers reached a record $159 billion in 2007 and are expected to reach higher levels this year.

Pupils of the first secondary school from Mongolia won one gold, two silver and one bronze medals from the Fourth Natural Science Olympiad named after Jautikovsk took place in Kazakhstan. It is big Olympiad places on the second on the world with its range.

The North America-Mongolia Business Council will meet in April in Calgary, Canada for its 18th annual convention.
As in the past, the meeting is meant to assist those seeking information about business and investment opportunities in Mongolia.

Mongolian Foreign Minister Sanjaasuren Oyun concluded talks this week with Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping in Beijing. The talks focused on cementing bilateral relations between the countries. China, in recent years, has made no secret of its seeking access to Mongolia’s undeveloped mineral wealth.