– After completion of the construction phase, Oyu Tolgoi will fully rehabilitate any lands impacted by mine equipment –
We interviewed Mark Newby, Oyu Tolgoi Principal Advisor
What environmental policy does Oyu Tolgoi use? How has this been implemented?
Oyu Tolgoi has introduced environmentally friendly technology for its mining operations and continuously improves its environmental protection efforts based on research and results. Let me introduce our Environment department at Oyu Tolgoi. We have been operating since 2003 and providing all environment related works for the project. In the last two years the department has significantly grown in size. This is based on active construction efforts and also preparation for mine operations. Currently we have about 50 team members working in the department. I’m the only expat as our team is completely comprised of Mongolian nationals. We also have about 20 contractors. In our department we have seven main teams. These teams include environmental management systems, environmental compliance, biodiversity, water, environmental monitoring and land management, chemicals and wastes and finally a training and awareness team.
What are the activities on environmental impact? How does the company comply with environmental laws and regulations?
In the last year, a lot of work has been done in order to integrate Oyu Tolgoi practices with Rio Tinto’s health, safety and environmental management system. We are closely working with Rio Tinto experts to make sure that all of our environmental activities are fully compliant with Rio Tinto standards as well as international and Mongolian standards. Detailed environmental impact assessments have been undertaken by Mongolian agencies and these reports have been reviewed and approved by the Ministry of Natural Environment and Tourism. We are developing formal environmental management systems according to ISO 14000-14001 requirements. Right now the core of the system has been developed and we are concentrating our attention on finalising all work-procedures and guidance standards. We are also working with many NGOs and Government organisations to support their initiatives on environmental protection.
Local residents often inquire about what kind of work mining companies are doing to rehabilitate the environment. What kind of work is Oyu Tolgoi doing in this regard?
Our biodiversity research team has been conducting various experiments since 2003 in order to determine a suitable rehabilitation method in the Gobi desert. Under this framework, we are working to protect the original top soil and use local plants and vegetation in our rehabilitation projects. Also, we store seeds and cultivate and protect rare plants. We always support local participation in the rehabilitation work. For instance, Oyu Tolgoi set up a 5 hectare nursery in Khanbogd soum. The greenhouse was constructed last year using technology from South Korea with a double-skin interior irrigation system and indoor heating. This nursery is part of a biological rehabilitation area. Once construction work is completed our biodiversity team will begin work including seed spreading and planting activities to restore the natural condition. A minimum of 10 per cent of the total mine area will be turned into a green zone.
What kind of biodiversity work has Oyu Tolgoi been involved in? How are you protecting wildlife in the Gobi?
We are implementing measures to avoid and reduce negative impacts on biodiversity in the region through extensive rehabilitation. Also, we are planning additional environmental protection programmes. For instance, we are monitoring wildlife and plants around the Oyu Tolgoi site. Under this monitoring, we will place bird diverters on all of the power lines associated with the project and we have also developed animal crossings on the roads connected to Oyu Tolgoi. We have to accept that there were be some impacts on the environment due to mining. These programmes include some major improvements in protected areas. This include anti-hunting laws and the protection of wildlife in relation to infrastructure development in the region. These programmes will be measured in terms of their effectiveness and the net positive impact on biodiversity.
Local residents say there are dust and noise issues around the Oyu Tolgoi project site, can you comment on this?
A detailed environmental monitoring programme has been implemented to measure and monitor air quality and noise pollution. This includes air and dust quality analysis and noise and vibration monitoring and analysis. We are taking measure to ensure vehicles drive on designated roads and at a specified speed in order to reduce dust. Also, we regularly water the roads to suppress the dust. For noise and vibration impacts, we are monitoring the air strips and drilling operations, blasting areas, mining operations and heavy equipment regularly and have developed a detailed work schedule to block noise and vibration to reduce these impacts.
It is inevitable that waste will be produced by the mine development work. How is this issue being handled?
Oyu Tolgoi has developed and implemented a waste management programme that meets international standards. We have appointed full time personnel to sort and recycle the waste, placed waste recycling bins around the project and regularly conduct training on waste management for employees. Let me tell you some figures from the 2011 waste management programme. A total of 684 truckloads of waste wood and 80 steel pipes were given to local residents and 1,300 tonnes of scrap iron was recycled. We have signed contracts with recycling companies in the area and regularly supply them with plastics bottles, cartons and paper. Also, we are collecting and recycling steel and waste oil in collaboration with these recycling companies. This year we are constructing our permanent landfill which is fully lined and meets US standards and are introducing hazardous waste incinerators that meet EU requirements.
What environmental standards does Oyu Tolgoi comply with?
Our environmental compliance team ensures Oyu Tolgoi complies with relevant laws and regulations. The environmental management system team is working to introduce Rio Tinto and international standards in all of our activities. For the environmental standards, there are 9 key standards for Rio Tinto that we are using. These include the HSE Management system standard, water quality and usage standard, non-mineral waste and noise vibration control standard, land usage and stewardship standard, greenhouse gas emission standard and an air quality control standard. On top of all this, the project is operating in 100 per cent compliance with all Mongolian laws.
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