The Mongolian Mining Industry's Impact on the Livelihoods of Nomadic Herders

Abstract: Mongolia, known as the Land of the Nomads is one of the last few countries where a significant portion of the population lives as nomadic herders. Since the Soviet Era and past the democratization of the country, the once nomadic herders are seen moving from the steppes to the major urban centers. This study examines if the influx of mining operations have a major hand in the changing of the nomadic herders livelihoods such as employment and migration to urban centers. The study used world-systems theory, labor market segmentation theory, as well as using the resource curse concept to look into the labor market and if resource reliance is having a impact on the livelihoods of nomads negatively. While the pressure from the government and the push for modernization were some factors that played into the migration of nomads. The mining industry as well as job availability and better education for nomadic children were the main reasons for migration from the countryside. The conclusion drawn from this study was that the mining industry is having a large role in the change of Mongolian nomadic livelihoods, with the destruction of the environment, preference of employment for urban residents and with competing for land. On the good side, many nomads are turning to eco-tourism as a secondary source of income and to help protect their lands by showing it to tourists.