Oyu Tolgoi’s cultural heritage programme is one of the many projects and programmes implemented by Oyu Tolgoi. We interviewed O.Tserennadmid, Land and Cultural Resources Superintendent at Oyu Tolgoi LLC.
Why does Oyu Tolgoi spend so much effort to protect cultural heritage alongside mining development work?
According to the Mongolian law on the protection of cultural heritage, mining companies are required to have their licensed areas surveyed by professional organisations before obtaining official licenses. However, according to some studies, only 7-8 percent of the mining companies implement this legal clause. According to a 2010 study, this legal provision was implemented by mining companies only 40 times and our company accounts for about a half or 20 cases.
You could say that there is no experience in Mongolia for protection of cultural heritage by mining companies. So can we say that Oyu Tolgoi is setting an example in this area?
When global mining leader Rio Tinto came to Mongolia, an opportunity to implement proper management of cultural heritage was opened. In Australia, where Rio Tinto operates, there is a very detailed procedure to protect cultural heritage from the moment of mine opening to its closure. Now, we are implementing this Rio Tinto management practice here at Oyu Tolgoi.
Can you explain why this is down to Rio Tinto’s management?
In short, this means adherence to and implementation of not only national and local laws and regulations, but also international standards developed in partnership with local community and relevant stakeholders from the moment that the land is disturbed by mining operations. Rio Tinto standards means a comprehensive approach to cultural heritage and making it an inseparable part of a mine’s operations. We are following this standard in Mongolia, in Oyu Tolgoi. Archeologist Elizabeth Bradshaw who tirelessly protects the rights and cultural heritage of Australian aboriginal people works at Rio Tinto. She can be named as the “Godmother” of the cultural heritage management of Rio Tinto. Also, here at OT, the cultural heritage team led by Dr.Amarbayasgalan and archeologist Batzorig regularly works with the Historical and Archeological institute and Paleontological centre of the Mongolian Academy of Sciences.
What do you do if you find some rare find at the mine site?
There is a special regulation about what to do when cultural artifacts are discovered. According to this regulation, professional organisations should inspect the find and it should be protected. To ensure this protection, certain work needs to be done. As we are close to a national border graves and tombs are found quite often. There are thousands of dinosaur tracks in a place called 'Shar Tsav' of Manlai soum. Such relics do not exist in other parts of the world. Since it is an empty land, if left unprotected, it’s going to be damaged. Oyu Tolgoi has built fences around these relics to protect them and constructed underground water wells to protect these landmarks. It can now be expanded into a natural open air museum for further study and to attract many tourists. Two paleontologists are working there permanently. The archeological institute was selected as the best supplier of Oyu Tolgoi when it introduced new technology in 2011, demonstrating their professionalism and the scope of their work.
Are there many such examples?
After a paleontological find was discovered in a place called “Urelbe” of Khanbogd soum, the Paleontological center has studied it and produced a report. As a result, the route of a water pipeline from Gunii Hooloi aquifer to Oyu Tolgoi mine was diverted by around a kilometre. The paleontological excavation was done for the first time in winter. Such cases are rare even in international examples. In total about 80 finds were excavated and brought into laboratory for analysis and study. The analysis and study of the finds will continue for about two years. They might even contain whole skeletons of ancient animals. If left unprotected, these finds could have been trampled by excavator track chains.
Obviously, cultural heritage programmes and the excavation and study of archeological and paleontological finds requires money. Who provides this financing?
There is legal clause which says that all costs shall be covered by company implementing a project in that given area. Therefore, Oyu Tolgoi is paying all the costs.
It is said that traces of ancient copper mining has been found at Oyu Tolgoi?
Archeologists Tseveendorj and Amartuvshin have discovered traces of ancient copper excavation and smelting in Oyu Tolgoi dating from about 4,000 to 5,000 years ago. Oyu Tolgoi hill was in the middle of an open pit. Comprehensive data on this ancient mine such as 3D imaging, top soil and vegetation analysis and oral history was recorded and documented and the models will be placed in a museum when it is established. Memories and recollections of the first miners and archeologists and local residents who discovered Oyu Tolgoi were also recorded.
You said that many historical and cultural finds have been found in Oyu Tolgoi. However, why is no more information about this available?
Some of the information about this can’t be disclosed to the public. If there will be news stories saying that rare finds have been found here and historical finds are there, we can’t rule out that greedy people might come and dig there. Reports about such incidents are kept by the authorised professional organisations and by local government. Umnugovi aimag is a cradle of dinosaurs. Therefore, protecting cultural heritage, archeological, paleontological and anthropological finds and landmarks of this area is not only an obligation of for Oyu Tolgoi, but all companies operating here also.
Tell us more about the cultural heritage programme.
A consortium of the Mongolian Academy of Sciences and organisations from the USA, Australia and Canada won an international tender announced in 2010 and developed a large programme to protect cultural heritage. As a result a risk assessment for non-tangible cultural heritage was conducted in Mongolia for the first time.
What measures are being taken by your company to protect non-tangible cultural heritage?
Much work has been done in this area. For example, Sukhbaatar, a resident of Bayan-Ovoo soum of Umnugobi aimag has a songbook containing about 100 long songs sung by local elders. This was turned into a CD and a book and made available for the public. The famous long song 'sun of the universe' is kept in the songbook in its original with its many stanza. We are preparing to organise training in folk culture and implement a micro project to document oral history in the near future. Oyu Tolgoi is working to protect cultural heritage – by training teachers, providing equipment for cultural centres, protecting and improving historical landmarks such as Bayjikh cave, Demchog temple and Javkhlant khairkhan as well as providing support for Naadam festival, Lunar New Year, and the worship of sacred mountains and hills. The cultural centre of the Khanbogd soum is working successfully. I.Narangerel, manager of the centre was awarded with title 'Honourary cultural worker,' the first accomplishment of this type for any of the 300 soum of Mongolia. We also translated from Tibetan into Mongolian the sutra composed by Gobi Buddhist saint Danzanravjaa for the worship ritual of Khanbogd sacred mountain and then distributed it to every local household. I’m sure this book will contribute to people’s understanding of rituals and customs.
The area where Oyu Tolgoi mine operates is a land of camels. It is said that development of mine led to decrease in camel pastureland.
Oyu Tolgoi company is paying particular attention to the wellbeing of the camels. We have to because we are using parts of camel pastureland for mining purposes. Khanbogd is the Mongolian soum with the largest number of camels. The famous red camel of “Galba Gobi” is found here. Recently Umnugovi aimag celebrated the camel festival for the 17th year. This soum alone can meet the camel wool needs of the entire nation. Therefore, we pay attention to supporting the processing and sales of camel wool and camel mare’s milk.
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