The Berkh mine, located 70 kilometers northeast of Chinggis (Undurkhaan), the capital of Khentii province, holds a significant place in the northwestern expanse of Berkh Mountain within Batnorov Sum. Commencing operations in September 1954, it now stands at 70 years of continuous service, marking a rich history of mining and growth.
During the late 1940s, Soviet-Mongolian geologists explored areas with fluorspar resources, leading to the discovery of the Yamaat or Kovalevsky mine. The Berkh mine emerged in September 1954, using feldspar from the Gurvan bukht (Jonshit Tolgoi) deposit in Batnorov Sum.
In its early days, the mining landscape comprised a few houses, felt barns, and a central point for work orders within a felt barn. The pioneering miners, including Soviet expert P.V. Usanov, worked tirelessly alongside Soviet trainers, swiftly establishing mines and miners' villages.
The mine underwent a name change from Sanjaa Mine to Berkh Mountain in 1957, and by that time, horizontal excavation had exceeded 160 meters. The mine's progression included using black oxen and steeds for transportation until mid-1958.
Following the dissolution of the Sovmongolmetal Association in 1957, the Berkh mine operated independently until 1974, under the jurisdiction of various government departments. In the 1960s-1970s, it exported 35,000-40,000 tons of fluorspar annually, penetrating up to 400-500 meters longitudinally, employing around 360-400 workers.
Acknowledging its significant contribution, the mine received the Order of the Pole in 1971. The 1970s witnessed the establishment of the Mongolian-Soviet joint enterprise "Mongolsovtsvetmet," introducing sophisticated production methods and collaboration with Soviet specialists.
The subsequent years they marked extensive expansion and modernization, transforming the mining site into a comprehensive complex, including residential and social facilities. By the 1980s, the mine's underground passages were fully mechanized.
Post-1994, with the transition to a market-based economy, economic challenges, falling fluorspar prices, and resource depletion led to the mine's closure. In May 1999, it continued as a state-owned industrial site and later transformed into a private joint-stock company in 2001.
Recent drilling results in the Delgerkhaan feldspar deposit showcased substantial reserves. Plans for constructing a concentrator complex based on the Delgerkhaan deposit underscore Berkh Uul's commitment to future endeavors in the mining industry.
