Operational Challenges and Opportunities
Industry Insights
“Managing payment schedules and client expectations are two crucial challenges for any service-based business and we are no exception. Some customers may request a service without the money to pay for it. Secondly, some companies may see an independent technical report as a marketing brochure to attract financing rather than an independent technical assessment, which we need to undertake and report. In the past, this led to disappointment from clients who might not have been seeking assessments of high potential risks. Of course, other clients are well-cognizant of the scope and nature of such reports and respect and value our independence.”
Petr Osvald, General Manager, SRK Consulting Mongolia
“In Mongolia, we find an interesting mix where Russian heritage meets a more open, modern Mongolia, carving its own identity. This allows for a very modern way of thinking with companies seeking our support with international reporting that will allow them to attract financing. In the past, much of our work was in coal and base metals projects, but more recently we have seen an increase in activity in critical minerals (such as lithium, rare earths, etc). With the expanding transport infrastructure throughout Mongolia, projects that may have been unattractive 15 years ago are being viewed with a new perspective.”
Simon Askey-Doran, General Manager, Business Development Advisory, RPMGlobal
“Regarding Mongolia's shift towards green energy sources, the nation imports 21% of its power from Russia, necessitating reduced dependency through the development of renewable energy. Mongolia holds vast potential in solar and wind resources, particularly in the southern region. Leveraging China's status as the world's largest power purchaser presents an opportunity for Mongolia's renewable energy development. MMSE's recent endeavors highlight its dedication to RE. With 12 solar installations completed, the company targets larger-scale solar projects (18MW to 20MW) in the southern Gobi region.”
Gantulkhuur Bekhbat, CEO, MMS Engineering
“The OT will only provide a small component of our work from a life-of-mine perspective with only maintenance and assisting with operations and training left. Therefore, we need to step out of that traditional OT big brother and go to other sites. We quoted several renewable energy projects for Mongolia, looking at BESS (Battery Energy Storage Systems). RJE would like to bring our experience in Australia, where we built about 250 MW of BESS as the main EPC, into Mongolia. Besides targeting projects in the BESS space, we are also looking at switchyard and modular substation expansion work opportunities.”
Dean Cook, Managing Director, RJE Global
“Navigating the Mongolian SMP market presents unique dynamics despite the limited influx of new projects. Operating as a mid-sized entity, Saade Construction maintains steady activity throughout the year, yet the market faces a persistent sluggishness primarily due to a chronic scarcity of FDI. Notably, we prioritize quality over cost competitiveness, a stance reflected in our pricing strategy, positioning us as a premium service provider seeking clients who share our commitment to excellence.”
Dishad Ali, Founder, Saade Construction
