Mongolia has a mineral-based economy with reserves of energy transition minerals critical for global decarbonisation efforts. At the same time, it is exposed to some of the planet’s worst climate change impacts and disaster risks, forcing a shift away from the traditional industry of pastoralism. Mongolia’s resources sector offers economic promise necessary to improve national development outcomes but, as a relatively young democracy, its capacity to harness the most value from its resource endowments needs further strengthening.
In 2024, UQ International Development secured their first Australia Awards Fellowships (AAF) program, bringing together 15 dedicated professionals from Mongolia. Funded by the Australian Government through the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), the program aimed to promote sustainable mining practices, address existing resource challenges, and support the green energy transition.
This edition of the program – Australia-Mongolia Partnership: Building Mongolian mining industry capacity to deliver sustainable mining and support green energy transition – provided the visiting Fellows (10 women and 5 men) with valuable opportunities to fully immerse in Australia’s mining and energy sector experiences. They learnt first-hand from academic, industry and civil society experts about the various challenges and opportunities that Australian regions and communities were experiencing as a result of Australia’s energy transition process. Their 4 weeks in Australia also included a week-long trip to the Darling Downs region of Queensland visiting a variety of clean energy and mining projects, and local trips to corporate and government offices in Brisbane. With a program break to consolidate their knowledge and reflect on the applicability of Australian energy and mining insights for the local context in Mongolia, the group will re-convene in February 2025 in Mongolia’s capital Ulaanbaatar for the Program’s final week to conclude this capacity building experience.
Developed by the Centre for Social Responsibility in Mining (CSRM), part of UQ’s Sustainable Minerals Institute (SMI), the course was designed and delivered by a 3-member team: Manager, Training and Research Dr Warwick Browne; Associate Professor Vigya Sharma; and Research Manager Dr Byambajav Dalaibuyan. This bespoke program has built long-term relationships and collaboration opportunities between Australian and Mongolian stakeholders towards addressing global mining and energy challenges.
Associate Professor Sharma’s research interests include fossil fuel transitions, with her focus specifically on the social, political and economic impacts of coal phase-out in diverse world regions. Among the Mongolian AAF Fellows, she found an inspiring energy to learn, adapt and implement.
“This was a one-of-a-kind program which allowed us to build professional links and networks into Mongolia that would last a long time," Dr Sharma said.
"The Fellows were open to learning, sharing and reflecting critically. They asked challenging questions in the classroom and during site visits. We were lucky to host a great group that brought together such diversity in work experience, age, gender, and fields of expertise. We learnt as much from them about our shared technical, social and economic challenges in the design and implementation of low-carbon energy systems.”
“They have returned to Mongolia with an energised understanding of the value of collaboration in tackling complex energy questions. I can’t wait to join them again in February and learn where and how discussions we had with them here are informing their thinking about Mongolia’s sustainable mining and low-carbon energy transition,” Dr Sharma said.
For German-Mongolian Institute for Resources and Technology’s (GMIT) Professor Dr Enkhzaya Chuluunbaatar, future generations were front of mind. Dr Chuluunbaatar’s program trains engineers to address coming global and national challenges, integrating the concept of ‘the socially responsible engineer’. She describes important learnings from the Fellowship, including an ability to develop and implement joint research activities and projects between Australian and Mongolian partners.
“In future we can apply joint research ideas to enhance knowledge about sustainability and green energy transitions in Mongolia and internationally. I’ve also developed connections within the AAF Fellows in Mongolia, and access to global networks to strengthen joint efforts.
"These initiatives will contribute to improvement and further development of the related curricula of GMIT as well as to the strategic development of the university," she said.
Dr Chuluunbaatar also identifies opportunities for capacity building through expanding the knowledge and skills of technically focused experts (engineers), incorporating “a good foundation in the social aspects of mining – by integrating social performance into the curriculum of technical study programs in universities”.
For Tamir Chultemsuren, Vice Dean of the Social Science Division (School of Arts and Sciences) at the National University of Mongolia, becoming an Australia Awards Fellow has assisted in the development of a collaborative master’s program, including sustainable mining and its social impacts.
“Additionally, it will support the establishment of a Center of Excellence dedicated to advancing research and teaching, which will be a hub for fostering innovation, knowledge-sharing, and capacity building in my home country,” Tamir said.
Like Dr Chuluunbaatar, Tamir found one of the program's most valuable aspects the connections to other Fellows in Mongolia and to The University of Queensland, which will continue to support academic and research initiatives.
New skills and knowledge are an important outcome of the Fellowship for Mongolian Mining Corporation Senior Manager Batbayasakh Ayurzana. Her role is particularly challenging as she manages the social and environmental impacts of a coal mine close to 10,000 homes in Mongolia’s Tsogt-Tsetsii, South Gobi.
In this location, “Our coal mining endeavours have presented us with multifaceted challenges demanding nuanced solutions. From employment dynamics to ecological integrity, community development, educational imperatives, water resource management, healthcare provisions, and infrastructural exigencies, our operational context presents a tapestry of intricacies”, Batbayasakh said.
Key questions drove Batbayasakh to the program; how best to manage the energy transition, why it is important, and where best to begin. As an AAF Fellow, “I received the knowledge and industry experience I hoped for and gained insightful motivation to relearn from different point of view.”
In addition to the core learning objectives, Fellows were appreciative of their experience in Queensland and the opportunity to plunge into industrial, cultural and regional activities, expanding the opportunities available for future engagement between the nations.
“Australia and Mongolia share many similarities, and I truly enjoyed the official presentations and discussions during the program and over meals. These moments sparked new ideas, collaborations, and valuable exchanges,” Tamir said.
Learn more about Australia Awards Fellowships
