ABSTRACT
Mongolia is a large, landlocked “buffer state” of only 1.4 million people between China and the U.S.S.R. Mongolia’s Sixth Five-Year Plan covers 1976–1980. During this period, the announced plan is to more than double capital investment in industry over the previous five years and to increase gross industrial output by 63 percent. Mongolia’s trade is mostly with the U.S.S.R. Mineral imports include petroleum, coal and coke, semi manufactured steel products for structural applications, and steel pipes. All mining enterprises are state-run, and the U.S.S.R. (principally) and the East European countries provide Mongolia with financial and technical aid. Coal mining is Mongolia’s foremost mineral industry, and output from about fourteen open-pit mines totals 2.5 to 3 million tons yearly. Northeast Mongolia is serviced by the Choybalsan-Borzya railroad. Most energy is derived from the burning of coal. Mongolia has about 1,000 electric power stations and 2,000 kilometres of transmission lines.
