Protesters block copper exports to China from Rio Tinto mine in Mongolia
The protest group says it wants a larger share of mining revenue, while the mine warned a weeklong stoppage could cost 35 billion tugrik.
- On Wednesday, June 17, the Radical Reform Movement blocked a critical road at the Oyu Tolgoi mine in the Gobi Desert, halting copper concentrate shipments to China with a "Stop Rio Tinto" banner.
- The British-Australian mining giant Rio Tinto owns 66% of the mine, while Mongolia holds 34%, yet a May agreement raising benefits by $1.5bn has not satisfied protesters demanding greater revenue shares.
- Contributing about 9% of Mongolia's tax revenues, the Oyu Tolgoi mine prompted Mongolian Prime Minister Uchral Nyam-Osor to order law enforcement after officials warned a weeklong blockage could cost 35 billion Mongolian Tugrik.
- Responding to the disruption, management at Oyu Tolgoi warned the blockade poses a "risk of not being able to fulfil contractual obligations" and urged protesters to avoid hindering operations supporting Mongolia's state budget.
- Essential for EVs and renewable energy, copper remains a critical export for China, which leads in these sectors. It remains unclear whether the protest is a one-day demonstration or the start of a prolonged economic standoff.
16 Articles
16 Articles
Associated Press News
Protesters block copper exports to China from Rio Tinto mine in Mongolia
Protesters have blocked copper exports from a Rio Tinto mine in Mongolia, partially disrupting supply of a mineral important to China's renewable energy sector.
Rio Tinto's Oyu Tolgoi resumes exports after blockade
Copper concentrate shipments from Rio Tinto’s (ASX, NYSE, LSE: RIO) Oyu Tolgoi mine resumed on Thursday, a day after protesters blocked a key transport route and threatened exports from one... The post Rio Tinto’s Oyu Tolgoi resumes exports after blockade appeared first on The Northern Miner.
Oyu Tolgoi has reported that the concentrate export convoy has resumed normal operations. The road used to transport copper concentrate from the Oyu Tolgoi mine was blocked by citizens of the "Ers Shinechlel Movement" since around 09:00 yesterday. 1 out of every 3 tugriks circulating in the Mongolian economy comes from the mining sector. Oyu Tolgoi emphasized that the Oyu Tolgoi plant puts an average of 23 billion tugriks into economic circulati…
Rio Tinto’s copper mine blocked: protesters halt Oyu Tolgoi exports – by Cecilia Jamasmie (Mining.com – June 17, 2026)
https://www.mining.com/ Protesters blocked copper concentrate exports from Rio Tinto’s (ASX: RIO) Oyu Tolgoi mine on Wednesday, disrupting shipments from one of the world’s most important copper projects and renewing scrutiny of how Mongolia benefits from its vast mineral wealth. The demonstration, organized by the Radical Reform Movement, temporarily halted traffic on a road used to ...
On June 17, exports to China from the Oyu Tolgoi copper mine in Mongolia's South Gobi province were disrupted due to protesters blocking roads. The Oyu Tolgoi mine is one of the world's largest known copper-gold deposits, and Mongolian protesters are calling on Rio Tinto to give Mongolians a larger share of the mining revenue.
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