Plizio Visual Lab

Boroo Gold Mine

Plizio editorial teamUpdated: Jun 2026Data Sources

mine

Weather…

The Boroo Gold Mine is located in the Selenge Province, about 110 kilometers north of Ulaanbaatar. It was Mongolia's first significant hard-rock gold mining project developed with foreign investment, commencing operations in 2004. For many years, the mine was operated by Canada's Centerra Gold and made a substantial contribution to Mongolia's GDP and export earnings. The deposit was noted for its high-grade gold reserves and utilized modern extraction technologies, including a heap leach facility. During its peak years, Boroo produced hundreds of thousands of ounces of gold annually and was a major employer in the region. The project provided a blueprint for later large-scale mining operations like Oyu Tolgoi, helping to establish international standards in the Mongolian mining sector. Following the depletion of its primary high-grade reserves, operations shifted toward processing stockpiled ore and exploring nearby deposits such as Gatsuurt. Boroo remains a vital chapter in Mongolia's economic history, demonstrating the transformative potential of well-managed natural resource extraction.

Location: Mongolia
Nearby: Sharyn Gol (17 km)

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is Jun–Aug.

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Avg °C	-20	-16	-7	2	9	17	19	16	9	0	-10	-18
Rain mm	3	4	7	12	34	52	68	68	29	12	9	5

📋 Practical info

🏭

What is this place?

The Boroo Gold Mine holds a significant place in Mongolia's recent economic history as a pioneering foreign investment project in the mining sector. It has been a major driver of national export revenue and a crucial catalyst for developing modern industrial infrastructure in the region.

🚪

Visiting

As a highly secure and operational or rehabilitating industrial site, the mine itself is strictly off-limits to casual tourists for safety and operational reasons. Occasional educational or professional tours might be organized, but these require advanced coordination with the managing company.

👀

Where to view it

While close access is restricted, the sheer scale of the earthworks and the vast open-pit operations can sometimes be glimpsed from distant hills along the regional highways. The dramatic transformation of the landscape gives a sobering visual testament to modern resource extraction.

🧺

Local products

The immediate vicinity does not cater to tourist shopping, but nearby settlements often feature small shops and markets supported by the mining economy. Visitors traveling the routes toward the mine might find roadside vendors selling traditional Mongolian snacks and basic supplies.

📆

Active season

Mining operations generally run continuously regardless of the season, maintaining a steady flow of heavy machinery and transport vehicles in the area. However, extreme winter temperatures in Mongolia can pose severe logistical challenges, occasionally slowing some peripheral activities.

➕

Nearby

A journey passing near the mine is best combined with explorations of Mongolia's vast northern steppes and visits to traditional nomadic camps. It represents a fascinating industrial counterpoint on routes heading towards historical sites or national parks in the surrounding provinces.