Erdenet (/ˈɜːrdɪnɛt/; Mongolian: Эрдэнэт [ˈirtn̩tʰ]) is the second-largest city in Mongolia, with a 2018 population of 98,057, and the capital of the aimag (province) of Orkhon.

Located in the northern part of the country, it lies in a valley between the Selenge and Orkhon rivers about 240 km (149 mi) (as the crow flies) northwest of Ulaanbaatar, Darkhan, the capital.

[citation needed] The Erdenet Mining Corporation is a joint Mongolian-Russian venture, and accounts for a majority of Mongolia's hard currency income.

[5] Erdenet is linked to Ulaanbaatar, the capital of Mongolia, and to the towns of Darkhan and Bulgan by a paved road and is easily accessible by bus several times each day.

The distance to the capital where the nearest airport is situated amounts to 370 km (230 mi) and travel by car takes about eight hours.