By Resolution No. 27 of 2007 of the State Great Khural (Parliament) of Mongolia, the Oyu Tolgoi gold and copper deposit was classified as a mineral deposit of strategic importance.
As a result, on October 6, 2009, the Government of Mongolia signed an Investment Agreement (IA) for a term of 30 years with "Rio Tinto International Holdings Limited", registered in London, United Kingdom, and "Ivanhoe Mines Mongolia Inc" LLC, established in Mongolia, as well as Ivanhoe Mines Limited, registered in Yukon, Canada. This agreement laid the foundation for the Oyu Tolgoi project. Under the Investment Agreement, the Government of Mongolia holds 34% of the common shares of Oyu Tolgoi LLC (formerly "Ivanhoe Mines Mongolia Inc"), and Erdenes Oyu Tolgoi LLC exercises the shareholder rights on behalf of the Government.