Oyu Tolgoi is committed to continuous improvement

Oyu Tolgoi use international standards to assess the biodiversity of Khanbogd soum, including the Oyu Tolgoi project site and the surrounding areas 

Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia – Oyu Tolgoi and Rio Tinto Group have introduced responsible international mining practices in Mongolia. They are committed to the protection and preservation of the environment. Oyu Tolgoi plan to keep all impacts of the mining project, on the Khanbogd region, positive.

Principal advisor on Biodiversity Research from the Environmental department of Oyu Tolgoi, Oyusuvd Jantsan, said: “Rio Tinto, a world class mining company, manages the Oyu Tolgoi project. Therefore, we need to comply with the best international practices and standards. Oyu Tolgoi also needs to comply to the standards and practices set by the international banks and financial bodies in a way that lessens the effect on the natural environment and biological diversity of the area. We need to develop and implement an environmental and biodiversity protection plan and monitor its implementation”.

As one of the largest businesses operating in the Umnugobi region, Oyu Tolgoi is working with other mining companies in Mongolia to develop responsible mining practices. Through Rio Tinto, Oyu Tolgoi can demonstrate the best examples of environmental protection to other mining companies in Mongolia. The Oyu Tolgoi Environmental department reviewed impact assessments and research done since 2003 and plan to:

1. Conduct a biodiversity research study at the Oyu Tolgoi project area and associated infrastructure areas, according to international standards.
2. Develop a management plan to protect the area’s biodiversity and develop a long term monitoring programme.

Oyu Tolgoi have made detailed studies of small and large mammals, reptiles, insects, birds, rare flora and fauna, vegetation and pastureland. They will continue these and other environmental studies into the future.

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), Ivanhoe Mines (66 per cent) and Rio Tinto. Rio Tinto is the major shareholder in Ivanhoe Mines 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.

For more information, connect with us on Facebook and Twitter.