The Gobi is home to large mineral deposits. As of October 2009, South Gobi province accounted for 12% (560) of the total licenses (4521) that have been issued so far. This distinguishes the province as having the most licenses issued for mining.
Out of 560 licenses in South Gobi, Gurvantes Soum–where the Tost Mountains are located–holds 92 licenses or 16% of total licenses in South Gobi. We have overlaid the map of snow leopard occupancy with the mining license map of Gurvantes. As you can see, mining poses an immediate and direct threat to the snow leopard and its habitat.
I’m writing the first, of hopefully many, article about snow leopard protection for the UB Post, Mongolia’s only English newspaper. My cell number here in Ulaanbaatar is 8812-1655. Please contact me as soon as possible for a possible interview with a Snow Leopard Trust official. Thanks.