Oyu Tolgoi and UNICEF to support children’s rights in local communities

Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia – Oyu Tolgoi LLC and United Nations Children’s Fund have signed a Letter of Intent today, further reaffirming both parties’ commitments to support children’s rights in Mongolia.

Under the Letter of Intent, the parties agree to work together to promote children’s rights in the mining affected communities, particularly regarding the impact of in-migration on children. UNICEF conducted a qualitative research “Mining-related in-migration and the impact on children in Mongolia” last year to determine the impacts on children from the movement of people in connection with mining in Mongolia.

Oyu Tolgoi LLC, as one of the participating mining companies in the research, recognizes a potential of in-migration arising from mining activities to adversely affect children and the importance of mitigating in this regard. As such, the two organizations agreed to co-operate in supporting children’s rights in the communities particularly on regard to the impacts on children of the in-migration. Major areas of the cooperation will be:

• Child friendly community development
• Supportive workplace environment and strengthened value chain management in order to improve social performance especially in regard to children and families
• Inclusive stakeholders’ consultation
• Increasing baseline data in support of child rights impact management and forecasting of in-migration and population growth

“Private sector has enormous potential to improve the rights of children and protect them from harm through socially responsible policies for its employees, their children and communities. UNICEF is delighted that Oyu Tolgoi, as a responsible corporate citizen of Mongolia, is committed to respect and support children’s rights particularly in the mining communities where the company operates” Mr Alex Heikens, UNICEF Mongolia Representative said during the ceremony. “Today’s event is a major step towards reducing exposure and negative impacts from the mining related in-migration on children. It is also a good example on how businesses can do more for children’s well-being”.

Laura Thomas, General Manager People and Organisation of Oyu Tolgoi, said, “Oyu Tolgoi is fully committed to the respect for children’s rights as well as looking for ways to enhance the realization of children’s rights in the Oyu Tolgoi’s partner soums. We’re honoured and privileged to be partnering with UNICEF to pursue shared objectives to achieve better results for children’s rights in the local communities in which Oyu Tolgoi works and lives in.”