ULAN BATOR, Oct. 12 (Xinhua) -- Mongolia's industrial output expanded 18.8 percent in the first three quarters of this year, compared to the same period last year, official data showed Friday.

The industrial output amounted to 11.2 trillion Mongolian Tugriks (over 4.3 billion U.S. dollars) in the January-September period, data released by the National Statistical Office showed.

Output of the main mining products rose by 16.9 percent year on year, which is a key driver of industrial production growth. For example, raw coal production increased by 46.5 percent, and iron ore production rose 3.9 percent year-on-year in the period.

Mining is the main industry of the landlocked Asian country. At present, the sector accounts for about a quarter of the country's gross domestic product (GDP) and some 90 percent of its exports, according to the Ministry of Mining and Heavy Industry.