We have interviewed S. Dorjderem, Biodiversity Research Supervisor at Oyu Tolgoi LLC
For the last few years, mining and environment protection went hand in hand. What kind of environmental policy underlies Oyu Tolgoi LLC’s operation, especially on biodiversity?
We are committed to yielding more positive impacts on biological diversity in the Umnugobi region while implementing the Oyu Tolgoi project. We expect this commitment to be realised before the closing dates of the mine, however, we will try our best to reach the targets even earlier. It may seem for for some people, incomprehensible and impracticable for a mining company to make a positive impact on biodiversity. To put it simply, our aim is that biodiversity at the regional level is left better conditioned, better protected and remains unaffected as a result of our complex activities and management. Our work is aimed to assess the potential adverse impacts from our activities, preventing, reducing and eradicating the impacts, and undertaking additional reclamation work, biodiversity offsetting (or bio-compensation), and environmental protection. This is our commitment and obligation. As a world leader in mining, Rio Tinto, applies the same biodiversity policy in all its mines and requires the same standard.
What animals live nearby the mine? What research and surveys are being conducted in this regard?
A wild animal monitoring programme is being implemented on a large scale and scope. Research work on the mountain and steppe herd animals, birds and their nesting pattern, small mammals, reptiles, aquatic insects, amphibians, terrestrial insects are regularly being carried out. This research is conducted each month in the Oyu Tolgoi areas and in project non-impact zones. Research work on both Mongolian and world rare animals is planned for 2012 and will be performed in collaboration with specialised researchers. This includes detailed research into the endangered bird, Houbara Bustard, to be conducted by researchers of the Wild Animal Research and Protection Centre. Census work on large mammals of steppe such as wild ass, goitered gazelle and Mongolian antelope is scheduled for the winter and summer seasons covering Umnugobi and Dornogobi aimags. One of initiatives of Oyu Tolgoi is a Wild Animal Monitoring Programme with the participation of local citizens. In this programme, local herdsmen and attentive nature conservationists will be provided with training and equipment to assist in the research. The programme has numerous advantages including establishing regular research of wild animals in Khanbogd soum, enriching the wild animal database, bringing local citizens closer to nature, and encouraging a commitment to nature preservation and protection in the community.
You just mentioned the 'biodiversity offset programme', What are the specifics of this programme? Has such programme ever been implemented in Mongolia before?
We reclaim the disturbed areas, however, sometimes it’s impossible to return the site to its original natural state. So what do we do when 'adverse impacts' persist even after the reclamation? We take a bundle of measures which are known as the 'offset programme'. These include an active participation in nature protection activities in areas close by, initiating and financing actions and providing viable support actions. The areas covered in the ‘offset programme’ must be close to the adversely impacted areas. We cannot say we have successfully implemented the 'offset programme' when we conduct mining activities in the southern Gobi region and plant trees in the northern mountainous areas. The 'biodiversity offsets programme' is not something which is legally binding or enforceable in Mongolia. It is a voluntary activity and I presume that many other businesses haven’t planned or implemented this activity.
Could you give us details about the wildlife crossing to be built on the road from Oyu Tolgoi site to the border? I think the underpass crossing for animals would be an interesting point for the readers.
As part of the wildlife protection programme, we are building wildlife underpasses every 5-6 km along the 101 km of paved road between the Oyu Tolgoi site and the boarder with China. The wildlife underpass crossings will be designed at a height of 4-5 m and length of 14-15 m so that skylines can be seen from both sides of the road. This design has been successful in other countries and will facilitate the crossing of both livestock and wild animals. The design of the underpass crossings will be completed in 2012 and the underpasses will be constructed over the next few years. Access roads, currently in use, have crossings provided by passageways that gradually climb to the same level as the main road. We believe that the planned crossings and the temporary passageways will facilitate an undivided land for the wild animals and safe, unobstructed crossings. I also believe that the construction of the wildlife underpass crossings will be the first in Mongolia.
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