11 January 2024
Official corrections and clarifications to rectify false information that is circulating on social media and certain media outlets
False claims and misleading information have been shared by an individual, B.Ononkhangai, and two lawyers, on social media as well as through media outlets. Oyu Tolgoi is categorically refuting the claims by said individuals.
The individual who has repeatedly been making a series of false claims, B. Ononkhangai, is currently not an employee at Oyu Tolgoi nor its contractor companies. He is also not an official spokesperson or Oyu Tolgoi representative. If B.Ononkhangai does not cease spreading inaccurate information through social networks and mass media regarding Oyu Tolgoi, we will take legal action.
1. Regarding the false claim about the alleged loss of five employees’ lives within a month at Oyu Tolgoi:
Refutation: We deny these claims and confirm that there were no five occupational fatalities at Oyu Tolgoi. Regrettably, there was a premature death incident resulting from a health issue during the pandemic Our mine site team promptly adhered to legal procedures by immediately contacting the local police department. We provided the necessary support to the bereaved family and colleagues. Oyu Tolgoi is legally not the authorized entity to provide detailed information regarding the unfortunate incident. We kindly request the public to respect the deceased family and colleagues and to honor their privacy.
2. Health and safety policy at the mine site:
Statement: Currently, more than 21,000 employees work at the Oyu Tolgoi mine site. Ensuring a safe and healthy work environment which is free of any form of harassment is one of our top priorities. Every employee has a right to stop work if they feel unsafe and report it to their leaders. In this framework, a variety of health safety and mental health and wellbeing programs are being implemented. In addition to our “Employee Assistance Programme” supporting psychological and physical health of our employees, we created an environment dedicated to managing fatigue activities by offering various facilities including sports, dance, and music etc. In addition to providing paid leave to prevent fatigue, we provide our employees with up to 90 days of paid leave a year for their health. We also provide health and emergency insurance for all our employees as well as life insurance. Within our refreshed strategy, we continue improving the working environment to ensure the health and safety of its employees. My Voice, a dedicated whistleblowing program can be used by anyone who has concerns or information relating to misconduct or improper circumstances or behaviors connected to Oyu Tolgoi. This includes current and former employees, contractors, suppliers, service providers, trainees, joint venture partners, members of the communities where we operate, and also their partners and dependents .
Email: MyVoiceMongolia@riotinto.com Mobile number: 9401 7777
3. Miners gas poisoning related:
Refutation: On the nightshift of 25 – 26 December 2023, smoke was emitted at the underground mine when a liquid concrete sprayer entered self-cleaning mode. During the evacuation process, it was discovered that one employee had failed to wear personal protective equipment. The employees were transported to the hospital facility at the mining complex and underwent thorough doctor’s examination. Fortunately, the medical assessment revealed no signs of poisoning were detected among the individuals. Following the medical examination, the employees started performing their work normally.
4. Wage disparity between Oyu Tolgoi LLC and contractors
Statement: To develop a world leading copper business, we need to collaborate with numerous companies experienced and specialized in various fields. Oyu Tolgoi LLC and contractors are independent legal entities and have their own remuneration policies regulating provisions of salary/wage, and its terms and conditions within the frame of the Law on Labor. According to market principles, employees’ wage are different depending on the legal entities’ economic capacity, employee’s knowledge, skill set, occupation, length of service, experience, skills and special features of a workplace etc. Therefore, Oyu Tolgoi LLC does not have the legal authority to interfere in/influence an employment agreement executed between other legal entities and their employees in a mutually agreed and voluntary basis as well as the amount of pay specified in the agreement.
5. Wage disparity between the expatriates and Mongolian employees:
Statement: Oyu Tolgoi employs over 21,000 people and 97% of whom are Mongolian. Secondees/expatriates appointed to work temporarily at Oyu Tolgoi are mostly from Rio Tinto managed mines and companies.
As for the expatriates working at Oyu Tolgoi LLC, they are assigned to work from branches of Rio Tinto Group located in other countries, and they are paid according to the employment agreement with Rio Tinto Group as per the salary and job category of the labor market of that country. The Rio Tinto Group operates in many countries around the world, and each branch in each country has various job and salary categories applicable to the country’s labor market conditions.
Oyu Tolgoi project is a unique construction and development work for Mongolia and specific knowledge, skills and experience of experienced expatriate professionals are essential in some roles.
Expatriate professionals work with the aim of sharing and teaching their skills and knowledge to Mongolian employees and train them. As a result of the consistent dedicated efforts made on training development and exchanging experience and learning over the last ten years, many of our Mongolian employees succeeded in the roles previously occupied by expatriate professionals, as well as working at other Rio Tinto assets globally as expatriates.
6. Procurement related:
Statement: Oyu Tolgoi has a strict procurement policy with robust processes, competitive testing which are regularly audited and investigated by national agencies and internationally reputed auditing firms. Oyu Tolgoi has developed dedicated policies in 2011 including the “Made in Mongolia” strategy to focus on developing and promoting a safe and sustainable in-country supply chain. As a result, every US$10 OT spents, US$9 is spent within Mongolia.
Our comprehensive policy to prefers Local and Mongolian suppliers within a commercial framework, which takes into account safety, quality schedule and price. Since 2010, Oyu Tolgoi has spent MNT38.8 trillion in-country in the form of payments to Mongolian suppliers, taxes, and other payments. We constantly seek to improve our transparency – the www.ot.mn website contains very clear information about the tender processes which are governed by transparent processes and are publicly available.