Tavan Tolgoi Tulsh LLC held a press conference to rebut recent media reports and rumors on social media about the quality and efficiency of improved fuel on Monday.

The company started supplying improved fuel, or briquettes, into the market when the city ban on sales and distribution of raw coal came into force earlier this year on May 15. However, along with bad feedback, various rumors have been emerging since the improved fuel entered into the market. For example, some people claimed that improved fuel produced by Tavan Tolgoi Tulsh fails to meet quality requirements, is powdery, and produces large amounts of ash. A number of media outlets heavily criticized the production and distribution of briquettes after speaking to users and distributors.

“We’re holding this press conference following false information spread on social media. Tavan Tolgoi JSC produces improved fuel to combat air pollution. Compared to other types of fuel, our briquettes are two times higher calorific value and are produced at a high quality. Our products are produced at high level, inspected by experts every day and leave the factory with labels detailing the time and date of production,” said treasurer of Tavan Tolgoi Tulsh G.Narantsetseg. “I don’t understand why these false rumors are being spread when all of our improved fuel is inspected.”

When asked why some customers are receiving poor quality goods, G.Narantsetseg responded that it might be connected to transportation of the briquettes. She added that the company works in three shifts, and during this period, quality inspectors, treasurers, shift managers and other staff ensure that all products meet the standard.

“Improved fuel isn’t for exploitation,” she said. “Customers will never receive improved fuel in the form of powder. This is impossible because the product is brought to selling point and our contractors package briquettes in 25 kilograms sacks. Contractors wouldn’t package briquettes with other wastes (ash and powder), which means such things will not go into the hands of customers.”

G.Narantsetseg noted that any problematic product detected by contractors is returned to the factory.

Buyers cannot purchase improved fuel in tons from selling points and if anyone wishes to buy in tons, the treasurer said buyers would need to sign an agreement with the company, review their purchasing products, get it scaled and take it with them. She encouraged journalists to visit the factory if they wish to check the production process.

During the press conference, Tavan Tolgoi Tulsh contracted seller G.Tegshjargal gave her side of the story. She explained that a man came to her selling point and asked to buy four to five pieces of briquette and she told him to get it from the packaging branch. However, the man took photos of crushed briquettes that were inside and posted it on his social media, reportedly igniting the bad rumors about the briquettes.

“At the time, we were filtering briquettes and making sure only pure improved fuel was being put inside the bags,” she said. “As (the man’s accusations) were false, we want to correct it.”

G.Tegshjargal reported that around 20 or so kilograms of powder come out of 800 tons of improved fuel and that Tavan Tolgoi Tulsh takes back all of the powder back to the factory.

“Our selling point has never received complaints regarding improved fuel. I’ve used it myself too. The smoke coming out of it is not grey but white and its ash isn’t black but grey,” she stated.

Tavan Tolgoi Tulsh sells improved fuel via 450 contractors across Ulaanbaatar. Briquettes cost 3,750 MNT per 25 kilograms and 150,000 MNT per ton.