Interview: D. Amarbayasgalan: “We uncovered dinosaur, crocodile and turtle fossils”

– Oyu Tolgoi LLC is implementing an 'archeological and paleontological find-fossils protection' programme –

We talked to Doctor D. Amarbayasgalan, Cultural Heritage Management System Officer at Oyu Tolgoi LLC

The South Gobi of Mongolia is famous for its rich historical and cultural heritage resources – especially archeological and paleontological discoveries. How is Oyu Tolgoi LLC dealing with this issue?
Oyu Tolgoi is committed to keeping the impact of mining on historical and cultural resources to a minimum. We are organizing a variety of activities aimed at cultural heritage protection in accordance with the relevant laws of Mongolia. The activities of a mining company are inextricably related with construction and excavation. One of the first things impacted by the activities of a mining company are essentially archeological and paleontological findings. Therefore, it is important to have a protection mechanism and adhere to its implementation. At Oyu Tolgoi, we fulfill our obligation in two ways. Firstly, we conduct an archeological and paleontological survey prior to the commencement of any construction work. Secondly, in the event of any discovery of items of historical and cultural value any project worker, whether they are in construction or mining, is obliged to stop operation. This is all part of our work force training and pre-start brief.

How knowledgeable are construction workers about safely digging up findings if they crop up all of a sudden during construction work?
There is an internal procedure to follow in the event of sudden discovery of items of historical and cultural value during construction work. We developed the procedure inline with the Law on Protection of Cultural Heritage. It is all part of our routine that construction workers and supervisors are acquainted with this procedure. If any findings appear, any unauthorised or any other untrained person is not allowed to move the findings. We carry out exceptional training and promotional activities on the treatment of archeological and paleontological findings. Our internal procedure specifies that any company or department carrying out any earth work must have their personnel trained, at 6 month intervals, in the procedures conducted by the Oyu Tolgoi cultural heritage team. When a company is set to start operation in an area that paleontological findings occur, a researcher from the Paleontological Research Institute, together with cultural heritage team, direct the procedures that must be made to operate.

How many kinds of rare findings have been dug up so far? Which animal bones predominate?
We have performed a total of 23 exploration and excavation projects in collaboration with the Archeological Research Institute. People tend to consider gold, treasure, and ornaments to be rare findings if they are found in the excavated burial mounds. It was reported that ‘local youngsters’ came to the excavation site, during an excavation by the Archeological Research Institute. They said “Are you guys finding anything down there? We have already dug this ground and found one or two bones and nothing else.” It appears that some people undervalue the significance of science. It is said that “A masterpiece to the literate is merely a doodle to the illiterate”. Both a single piece of bone and a coin can be an invaluable and rare finding. A single knuckle bone found in a burial mound excavated by Russian scientists proved that humans, similar to Neanderthals (Homo sapiens neanderthalensis) were living in Siberia and the Mongolian Altai mountains. We can discover what is lost in history with chronological writings based on the findings uncovered, and hence the value of the findings. It is like depriving a country of its entire history to be studied, if we only sneeze at it for being a lone item and dispose of it. During the excavation period we found, bronze, iron, and other items related to the time of Great Mongol Empire. We recently recovered and stabilised over 80 pieces of bone after performing joint excavations with Paleontological Research Institute. Due to the existence of the Oyu Tolgoi project, we are in an expert manner, uncovering paleontological sites, protecting and presenting them as objects for further study.

You just mentioned 80 pieces of bone. What does 'a piece' mean?
Different methods are employed to recover paleontological sites. The bones remained underground for millions of years and they differ depending on their preservation. Therefore, it’s not right to grub up the piece of bone. We have to carefully enfold the pieces and stabilise them we don’t damage them. We prepared over 80 pieces of bone by such a manner, and brought them here to Ulaanbaatar for laboratory testing. The bundle included even crocodile and turtle bones in addition to that of dinosaur.

How and where are these findings preserved? Or are they delivered to the authorities in charge?
According to law, the company initiating excavation must bear all excavation related costs. We arrange safe haven and transportation for the findings and deliver them to the Paleontological Research Institute Laboratory without any damage. Then the findings, enfolded and stabilised, undergo laboratory testing. After that, some of them are put into special preservation boxes, some are used for comparative studies and the rest go to the museum. The Archeological and Paleontological Research Institute sends the Oyu Tolgoi discovered bones to Arizona University for further testing and surveying. To date, we have received 10 test results of the 20 we have sent.

What are the results of the work undertaken by Oyu Tolgoi LLC. What are your objectives with regard to Cultural Heritage, and the protection of archeological and paleontological findings?
Thanks to Oyu Tolgoi’s commitment to the protection of cultural and historical resources, there is no registered incident of unlawful activities by Oyu Tolgoi contractors and no single item of historical value has been put at risk or damaged. We protect and preserve all findings in accordance with law. As a global ranking company, we plan to undertake further major works of strategic significance.

Is it appropriate for a mining company to implement a programme aimed at the protection of archeological and paleontological resources? Is there any other organization that has implemented similar programmes before your company?
Oyu Tolgoi is a world leading mining company. Mining and earth work are inextricably connected. Once involved in earth works, arranging the protection of historical and cultural resources, is unavoidable. This requirement is also effective in all Rio Tinto operated mines. As a world leading mining company, Rio Tinto is committed firstly to credit its social responsibility, secondly to comply with laws and regulations of the country, and thirdly to show reverence for historical and cultural resources of the country in compliance with the relevant rules and regulations of the country and in conformity to the Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage adopted by UNESCO in 1972 and the Convention for the safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage adopted in 2003. Within this framework, Rio Tinto develops a Cultural Heritage Management System that is tuned to the country’s circumstances, and carries out its activities accordingly.

I’d like to ask a question in parenthesis. A recent discovery of dinosaur bones in Mongolia was big news. What is your opinion as a researcher?
It is often a topic of discussion when either museum exhibits or historical and cultural resources are taken out of the country. This is an indication of weak law enforcement. According to the Law on Protection of Cultural Heritage, privately owned historical and cultural resources may be registered on the information system at the will of the possessor. That means an item would not be registered unless the possessor wants it to be. Unregistered historical and cultural resource are like a stray child who is not controlled and wandering everywhere unknown. Losing historical and cultural resources is a step towards the state with no historic research subjects and no pride for cultural identities. In other words, we may come under the domination of a foreign culture. That’s why nothing should be taken out of the country.

Thank you.