The line, estimated to cost $US 581.8m, would connect Aspire’s Ovoot coking coal mine with the proposed Kyzyl - Arts Suuri section of the Russian rail network, which is expected to be completed in 2022. Together the new line and the planned 547km Edenet - Ovoot line would complete the Mongolian section of the Northern Railway Corridor connecting north eastern China, Mongolia, Russia and Europe.
Mongolian class 2 railway design standards were applied in the PEA to ensure compatibility with the Erdenet - Ovoot line. The Ovoot - Arts Suuri section would have a capacity for up to 15 million tonnes per annum (Mtpa), with the ability to add additional capacity to meet demand.
Aspire says the corridor has broad support from regional and federal governments in Russia and sits within China’s One Belt, One Road (OBOR) policy, and would substantially enhance trade and economic ties between the regions. The Mongolian government has included the Erdenet - Ovoot - Arts Suuri rail corridor in its national railway policy and identified the Erdenet - Ovoot line as a priority project.
