Face-recognition checks for drivers at Gantsmod slow Mongolian coal and copper exports
The Chinese side says the work, begun in August, will last until the end of December; the return lane has been cut from 13 convoys a day to four.
A new face-recognition system that China is installing at the Gantsmod border crossing to identify drivers inside their vehicles has slowed shipments of coal and copper concentrate through the Gashuunsukhait–Gantsmod crossing. Bloomberg TV Mongolia and Zindaa.mn reported this, citing the Ömnögovi province border port administration.
Convoys cut from 13 to four
Oyu Tolgoi LLC said that since October 15 restrictions have been placed on the return lane from Gantsmod to Gashuunsukhait, cutting the number of convoys allowed through from the usual 13 a day to four. The company warned that this could disrupt normal export operations, delay sales and cause economic losses.
According to the border port administration, the Chinese side said it began introducing the system in August and that the work will continue until the end of December.
Ганцмод боомтоор хил нэвтрэхэд жолооч нарын нүүр таниулах систем нэвтрүүлж буйтай холбоотойгоор уул уурхайн бүтээгдэхүүний экспортын тээвэр удааширч байгааг БНХАУ-ын талаас Өмнөговь аймаг дахь Хилийн боомтын захиргаанд мэдэгдсэн байна.
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Normally about 1,300 vehicles a day, both driver-operated and autonomous, cross through Gashuunsukhait. Over the past four days the figure has been about 600 driver-operated vehicles a day.
MassTV reported that when it asked the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources about the situation, it was referred to the Ministry of Economy and Development. That ministry in turn suggested asking the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources for figures. The Ministry of Finance had not responded.
Sources: Bloomberg TV Mongolia, Zindaa.mn, MassTV.
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