The Real Risk for Resource-Rich Nations Isn’t a Lack of Minerals It’s a Lack of Vision In mining, the greatest threat isn’t depletion. It’s moral erosion. Across many resource-rich nations, the same pattern repeats: A few powerful actors prioritize personal gain, signing unfavorable deals that benefit their circle while the broader population is left behind. Let’s be clear: international companies aren’t the villains. They pursue profit that’s business. The failure lies in governments that undervalue and mismanage their own wealth. Mineral abundance is only an advantage with the right governance. Otherwise, it turns into a liability. Natural wealth isn’t just underground. It lives in contracts, institutions, and decision-maker integrity. Small Deposits Are Not Small Opportunities Global investors chase mega-projects while overlooking smaller, more agile deposits full of untapped value. Many smaller asset holders can’t reach real investors. They end up with intermediaries who take control, while the original owners lose value and voice. This isn’t just a Mongolian issue it’s common in many developing nations, where policy ignores mid-tier assets despite their potential. A Forecast: The Era of Small Deposits Is Coming Large deposits bring regulatory delays and political risks. Smaller ones offer faster timelines, lower complexity, and local upside if linked to the right investment frameworks. By 2040, mineral development will likely shift toward distributed value: many small, connected projects, not just one big mine. Mongolia Is Well Positioned Mongolia has more than large reserves. Its geology is rich in high-grade, small to mid-sized deposits. What’s missing is a platform that connects them to serious investment. => Conclusion Small deposits are not small opportunities. Only small thinking makes them so. The value of a resource depends not on its volume but on how, by whom, and under what terms it’s managed. => Call to Action To governments: Support mid-sized deposits not just the giants. To investors: Don’t ignore smaller assets. To owners: Know your value. Don’t trade it for short-term deals. Mining victory comes not from what’s underground but from how wisely it’s brought to the surface. https://www.linkedin.com/in/temuujin-gankhuyag-9a0369360/