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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 ULAANBAATAR 000461 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PGOV EMIN EINV MG
SUBJECT: Tense Standoff in Protest at Foreign Mine 
 
 
SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED - NOT FOR INTERNET 
DISTRIBUTION. 
 
¶1.  (SBU) SUMMARY:  On June 14, 60-year old male 
protester died at the Boroo Gold mining site.  Protest 
leaders claimed this occurred after Boroo security 
guards used a stun gun on him.  However, mine officials 
stated that the elderly protestor apparently died of a 
heart attack while trying to climb a steep mine slope, 
a view the National Police said was confirmed by an 
autopsy.  Leading the protesters at the site was a 
Cabinet Minister from a small populist party, who 
asserted -- almost certainly falsely -- that he had 
government authority to shut the mine down.  There 
reportedly is now a standoff at the site, with the 
Minister bringing additional protesters from 
Ulaanbaatar, and Boroo Gold seeking strong government 
action to expel what it regards as criminal 
trespassers.  In late afternoon June 14, the government 
was considering what actions to take.  The death and 
standoff come at a sensitive time for foreign mining 
interests.  DCM weighed in June 15 with the Ministry of 
Foreign Affairs and the Prime Minister's office to seek 
assurances regarding the safety of Americans employed 
by Boroo and to seek clarification regarding the 
Minister's claim he was acting on government authority 
(both surmised he was expressing personal views).  END 
SUMMARY. 
 
One Dead in Protest 
------------------- 
 
¶2.  (SBU) The incident happened after protesters bused 
to the site from Ulaanbaatar breached the mine 
perimeter, led by Health Minister L. Gundalai. 
The National Police later identified the deceased as 60 
year-old, Banzragchiin Batsuuri, a Mongolian citizen. 
A Boroo Gold official told the Embassy the man had a 
heart attack while trying to climb the steep slope that 
led into one of the mine's active pits.  While a 
newspaper reported that the man collapsed after a stun 
gun was used on him, National Police officials 
confirmed to the Embassy that there were no stun guns 
used nor were there any at the site.  Efforts by Boroo 
staff and its medical center to revive him were 
unsuccessful.  Police officials said that autopsy 
confirmed that the man died of a heart attack. 
 
¶3.  (U) The Boroo Gold mining site is about 70 miles 
northwest of Ulaanbaatar, close to the road to Darkhan. 
Boroo, which is almost fully owned by Canada's Centerra 
Corporation, began gold production in 2004.  The 
company expects to mine about 180,000 ounces of gold 
per year till 2010.  The firm is seeking to extend its 
processing life in Mongolia by developing other gold 
sites. 
 
One Foot in the Government, One in the Street 
--------------------------------------------- 
 
¶4.  (SBU) The protest against Boroo Gold was organized 
by the Healthy Society Movement (HSM) together with the 
People's Party.  Health Minister Gundalai, the head of 
the People's Party and its sole MP, was at the site 
during the protest.  A Boroo Gold official (strictly 
protect) told the Embassy that Gundalai had incited the 
protesters.  Before setting out from Ulaanbaatar, 
protest leaders had demanded cancellation of Boroo's 
stability agreement with the government covering the 
mine, raised questions about the whereabouts of US$50 
million it said the company had promised to the 
government, and had accused the company of 
environmental damage.  Gundalai also accused Boroo Gold 
of failing to pay the government US$50 million it owed 
-- a figure apparently obtained by using the "good 
will" figure for Boroo from Centerra's annual corporate 
report.  Gundalai stated that he would shut the mine 
down until this "debt" was paid, and asserted at the 
site that he had the authority of the government in 
making such a statement.  Boroo shut the gold mill down 
in an effort to quell passions. 
 
Standoff at the Mine 
 
ULAANBAATA 00000461  002 OF 003 
 
 
-------------------- 
¶5.  (SBU) On the afternoon of June 15, Boroo officials 
told the Embassy that Gundalai is still at the mine, 
where he continues to repeat statements the government 
has authorized him to shut the mine down.  Additional 
protesters and tents have arrived from Ulaanbaatar. 
Boroo has contacted a range of official -- Prime 
Minister, Police head, aimag (province) officials, and 
soum (district) officials -- asking the government to 
take a stand against what they consider a criminal 
action by Gundalai.  According to Boroo, the soum 
officials and the police head have indicated that they 
are working on a plan to support the mine, which may 
include efforts to bring in police.  Boroo has put 
activated its crisis management plan and is briefing 
the media on its view of events.  Canadian Commercial 
Minister Ken Lewis currently visiting from Beijing has 
said he will speak of Canada's concerns to the 
government.  A Boroo official expressed concern to the 
Embassy that, if the government does not respond, then 
the situation might get out of control. Police sources 
told the Embassy at 1500 that the government was then 
meeting in a special session to consider how to 
proceed. 
 
Just Beginning, or the Beginning of the End? 
-------------------------------------------- 
 
¶6.  (SBU) It may take several days for the impact of 
the protest and the death to become clear. Boroo wish 
the GOM and State Great Hural (SGH, the parliament) to 
take a stand against what they consider a criminal 
action by Gundalai.  (Note:  MPs are protected from 
arrest, unless the SGH lifts their immunity.)  The soum 
officials and the police head have indicated that they 
are working on a plan to support the mine, which may 
include efforts to bring in police from the soum and 
UB.  Boroo officials, who are in crisis management 
mode, have given interviews to TV 25, Eagle TV, and 
four papers.  Boroo have told the embassy it is 
concerned that, if the GOM does not respond, then the 
violence and abuse may get out of control.  Boroo has 
said it will also point out to officials and media that 
Mongolia's international reputation and local economy 
will suffer if officials abuse their positions. 
 
Major Issues for the Miners 
--------------------------- 
 
¶7.  (SBU) The incident comes at a time when Mongolia's 
mining industry was already facing tension and 
uncertainty.  The SGH this week began to examine 
amendments to the Mineral Law, with the notional hope 
of passing the bill prior to recessing in early July. 
Both foreign and domestic mining firms have urged the 
issue be deferred, and spoken against the proposed 
amendments, which include the government's right to 
take a majority stake in "strategic" mineral deposits 
(with no mention of compensation).  "Strategic" is 
broadly but vaguely defined with ample room for 
discretion and interpretation and thus corruption.  The 
SGH will likely pass a tax reform bill before 
recessing, and the mining firms are seeking favorable 
provisions, and counseling repeal of the windfall 
profits tax on copper and gold enacted only a month 
ago.  The Embassy has urged the government and MPs to 
act carefully and with a view toward transparency and 
ensuring a stable, predictable, and satisfactory 
business environment for foreign and domestic 
investors. 
 
MFA, PM's Office Contacted 
-------------------------- 
 
¶8.  DCM weighed in the afternoon of June 15 with 
Ministry of Foreign Affairs Director General for the 
Americas, Middle East African Affairs Jambaldorg and 
Foreign Policy Advisor to the Prime Minister Davaasuren 
to seek assurances regarding the safety of Americans 
employed by Boroo and to seek clarification regarding 
Minister Gundalai's claim that he was acting on 
government authority.  Both said they would check but 
surmised Gundalai was expressing personal views and 
 
ULAANBAATA 00000461  003 OF 003 
 
 
those of his party by not the GOM.  In late breaking 
news, Canadian Commercial Counselor advised DCM that 
the Prime Minister had just ordered Minister Gundalai 
back to Ulaanbaatar and a police riot squad has been 
sent to the Boroo site to "clear out the protestors." 
SLUTZ