Interview: M.Damdinjargal “We are very lucky people to participate in the largest development project in Mongolia in this century”

We interviewed Damdinjargal Munkhjargal, Oyu Tolgoi Concentrator plant’s equipment maintenance officer

Where are you from? How did you come to Oyu Tolgoi?

I’m a native of Bayan-Uul soum of Dornod aimag. After graduating from the secondary school, I came to UB to study at the University of Agriculture. Even though I entered the school where I wanted to study, I wanted to go back home since I was worried about my parents left alone with their livestock in a rural area. I went back home, and in the fall I was conscripted into military service. I served in the army for 1 year, and after that I began to work at a Chinese invested company called 'Shin Shin' which was operating in our aimag. It was a mining company which mined zinc and lead. While I was working there, I’ve heard advertisements for courses training professional workers for Oyu Tolgoi, and that’s how I linked my life with this company.

So, training was organised in your aimag?
Yes. I went to the aimag capital and registered for that training, and then I took an exam. Employees of the Oyu Tolgoi HR department said, ”those people who passed the exam will be notified by phone.” I went back home and waited for a phone call.

It seems you waited quite a long time. When did you hear the sweet words 'you passed the exam?'
I didn’t wait long. However, for someone waiting, time flies very quickly. One fine day, I got a call that said, “You passed it. Come for the medical exam.”

How happy were you when you heard that you passed?
Oh, I was so happy. After that, I studied in my native Dornod aimag as a mechanic for 1 year. Oyu Tolgoi covered all the costs, including training and dormitory fees, travel back and forth from my native soum during vacation; etc. On top of that, I was also receiving a substantial allowance in the form of a scholarship. In this way, I got connected with Oyu Tolgoi in my 20s.

After graduating this course, did you go straight to work at the Oyu Tolgoi mine?
I first set my foot in Oyu Tolgoi in June of 2012. How can I forget this remarkable day? I still clearly remember one funny incident which happened at that time.

Would it be interesting to remember that funny incident now?
Before heading to Ulaanbaatar to work at the Oyu Tolgoi mine, I needed money to prepare. I asked my younger brother who lives in the countryside and said, “When I get money after working in the mine, I will return your money,” and so we sold a horse and used the money for my preparations.

What was your first impression of Oyu Tolgoi?
My homeland is relatively mountainous, full of forests and rivers. But at Oyu Tolgoi, wherever you look you see only endless plain and sky and earth that seems to join at the horizon. And it was very hot. It was in mid-June. Chinese workers building the concentrator used to line up when they came to work and after finishing the job, they went back to camp.

So were you discouraged after arriving in such a land?
To tell the truth, first my thought was, “how can I live in such land.” I completed the training and was introduced to the plant. And at the thought that such a big facility was being built by human hands, I felt pride and began to rejoice at my fate which sent me to work here. Now, I became a real Oyu Tolgoi man. This summer I didn’t even notice the heat.

Is the repair and maintenance unit of the concentrator large?
Many people work here. All of the 60-70 mechanics, who studied with me in Dornod aimag, are working here. There are also 20-30 mechanics who graduated from the Technological school in Erdenet. There are also people who came from Ulaanbaatar, Umnugobi, and Selenge aimag.

Do you miss your native land and family?
No. No. I don’t think about such things. Also, without a job it is hard to live in the market economy. There is nothing more valuable for young men than work. We are very lucky people to participate in the largest development project in Mongolia this century.

Is your living quarters comfortable? How many people live in your room?
Workers accommodation is comfortable and food is very good and tasty. Generally speaking, it is very exciting to work here. Two of us share a room. Mechanics live and work in 3 shifts. We work 28 days here and go back home for 14 days to rest. All necessities for leisure are available here, including sports gym, fitness room, library; etc. We can get news from the internet and watch about 100 channels on TV. During my free time, I’m study English.

This was our interview with Damdinjargal Munkhjargal. Then, we met with B.Myagmarjav, shift Supervisor Flotation Mechanic of tge Oyu Tolgoi Concentrator plant. B.Myagmarjav is the supervisor of M.Damdinjav. Previously, B.Myagmarjav worked at Boroo Gold company for almost 10 years and it has been 3 years since he arrived at Oyu Tolgoi. He praised M.Damdinjargal very much. He said that Damdinjav participates in all repair and maintenance work and for someone who was herding animals before, he is learning really fast about safety and the work culture. He is very eager to learn and very handy. The future of M.Damdinjargal, native son of Dornod aimag and now an ordinary mechanic who intertwined his lis life with Oyu Tolgoi is looking very bright and positive.