Alexander Molyneux, President and CEO of SouthGobi Energy Resources Ltd., has said the company will accelerate the development of its Mongolian coal projects through its wholly-owned Mongolian operating subsidiary, Southgobi Sands LLC.

SouthGobi's Mongolian investment program during the next three to five years is planned to include:

Entree Gold Inc. has announced that its application for conversion of the Shivee Tolgoi and Javhlant exploration concessions to mining licenses has been approved by the Mineral Resources Authority of Mongolia and the licenses have been received. The eastern portion of the Shivee Tolgoi licence and the entire Javhlant licence are subject to a joint venture with Ivanhoe Mines Ltd., through its subsidiary, Ivanhoe Mines Mongolia Inc. Mining licenses have a 30-year term with two renewals of 20 years each possible.

Entree Gold Inc. has said that several key issues in the recently signed Investment Agreement on Oyutolgoi will have a specific beneficial impact on its own operations in Mongolia. The agreement paves the way for finalizing feasibility, development and mining studies of the many Oyutolgoi deposits, including Entree's Hugo North Extension and Heruga deposits. Also, greater certainty is afforded to all stakeholders, with the agreement providing fiscal stability and reliable access to water, power, transportation and labor.

State-owned China National Gold Group Corp. is planning to increase its presence in central Asia, Russia and Africa to look for new investment destinations, the China Daily reported last week. The company was considering two new precious metals projects in these regions and expected to finalize the deals early next year.

 Ivanhoe Mines Ltd., the Canadian miner developing the Oyu Tolgoi project in Mongolia with Rio Tinto Group, said it’s ready to start mine construction at the $4 billion copper and gold operation.