Following an ecological study in the South Gobi Desert, starting in 2009, and the killing of a snow leopard by herders protecting their livestock, the Tost Tosonbumba was established as a local protection area the following year.

In 2010, Tost Tosonbumba was established as a local protected area and had 37 mining licenses.

Under local protection rules, it was possible to revoke licenses and to prevent others from being issued.

Mining operations fragment habitats and drive nomadic communities into snow cat territory, resulting in conflict.

Following a campaign for higher protection, in April 2016 the area was declared a nature reserve, and all mining licenses were revoked.