– The mine will cultivate fast-growing saplings and vegetation suitable for the harsh Gobi climate –
Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia – For the first time in Monglia, Oyu Tolgoi has introduced a new growing technology for saplings and vegetation. This unique flora not only grows at a faster rate, but is also 95 per cent adaptable to the harsh Gobi climate through the development of a strong root system. This vegetation will be used for environmental rehabilitation in the area.
Khanbogd soum in Umnugobi region, where the Oyu Tolgoi project is located, has a very particular climate and therefore requires a different rehabilitation approach compared to that of the steppe and mountainous regions of Mongolia. The mine is committed to restoring the local terrain, vegetation cover and ecosystem to their original condition. Since 2003, the mine has started many environmental programs such as a baseline survey, monitoring and evaluation of flora and vegetation and the cultivation of rare seeds.
Also, Oyu Tolgoi has set up a nursery to grow local vegetation species used for biological rehabilitation. The saplings will be used for rehabilitation around the project, establishment of a protective forest strip and a local flora park. The tree nursery, covering 5 hectares in the center of Khanbogd, was started in 2011. The greenhouse to grow the saplings covers 640 square metres and is equipped with a double-roof, polyethylene film coverings and a heating system that can work effectively in the winter months. It also has an automatic irrigation, fertiliser mixer and 320 metre irrigation system that produces humidity.
Currently, the mine is experimenting with the cultivation of shrubs and trees such as the Gobi elm, amygdalus pedunculata pall, elaeagnus L, seabuckthorn, and yellow acacia and saxual through seed cultivation in the greenhouse.
About Oyu Tolgoi LLC (http://en.ot.mn/)
Oyu Tolgoi LLC is Mongolia's largest copper and gold mining company and is a strategic partnership between the Government of Mongolia (34 per cent stake), Turquoise Hill Resources (66 per cent) and Rio Tinto. Rio Tinto is the major shareholder in Turquoise Hill Resources and the manager of the Oyu Tolgoi project. In addition to dividends from its 34 per cent stake in Oyu Tolgoi, the Government of Mongolia will receive taxes and royalties.
Oyu Tolgoi, located in the Gobi desert in southern Mongolia, will be one of the largest and highest-grade copper and gold mines in the world. It is the largest project ever developed in Mongolia, requiring a capital investment for phase 1 of more than US$6 billion.
Oyu Tolgoi is committed to contributing to a sustainable future for Mongolia. At least 9 out of 10 employees will be Mongolian once the mine is in production and Oyu Tolgoi is investing US$58 million dollars (78 billion MNT) in training and education and an additional US$27 million dollars (36 billion MNT) in the Workforce Employment Project designed to help address the general skills shortage in Mongolia
Oyu Tolgoi's key priorities are the health and safety of employees, best-practice environmental management, contributing to sustainable communities and always doing business with integrity, for the benefit of all the project's shareholders and the people of Mongolia.
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