Mongolia is rich in many types of mineral resources.  Over 6,000 deposits of 80 different minerals have been discovered. Over 160 deposits out of 400 surveyed deposits are being exploited. A further 170 deposits of construction materials, such as granite and marble, also exist.

In the past, Mongolia was not able to develop or exploit discovered mineral resources because of a lack of infrastructure and capital investment. Since 1990, Mongolia, with financial and technical assistance from international partners, has set up and operated joint ventures to explore and develop major deposits of gold, copper, molybdenum, uranium, coal and fluorspar.

Mongolia is fast becoming one of the largest producers of several of these metals and minerals. Mongolia produces nearly 15% of the world's fluorspar and is a major producer and exporter of copper, molybdenum and uranium.

Gold, silver, tungsten, tin and precious stone mines are typically small-scale operations, but some of these are planned for expansion. Nearly half of the country’s gross industrial output stems from the mining sector.

The Mongolian Government has adopted a package of long-term programs to explore and develop large promising mineral deposits including gold, silver, oil, coal, copper and other metals and minerals.