Umnugobi, Mongolia – Oyu Tolgoi LLC respects and cherishes the traditional culture and customs of local communities and works to protect and preserve them. As part of this effort, a new facility, “Ger of Gobi culture and tradition” was opened on 25 December at the Oyu Tolgoi mine to promote traditional Gobi culture and customs to mine employees. The event was organised by the Regional Development and Social Performance Department of Oyu Tolgoi LLC and Khanbogd soum Seniors Association. The opening ceremony was attended by Jack Sato, Chief Operating Officer of Oyu Tolgoi LLC. He said: “The people working at the Oyu Tolgoi mine come not only from the 21 aimags of Mongolia, but from all over the world. These people can now learn about the traditional culture and customs of the Gobi. I would like to thank Khanbogd soum seniors for their support in creating this facility.”
Kh.Ambaa, head of the Khanbogd soum Seniors Association explained the goal of the event: “Ancient cultural heritage and traditions are being forgotten. We need to restore them and teach a new generation of young people including mining workers from every background about them. We launched this project in November 2013 by working with Oyu Tolgoi LLC’s Cultural heritage programme.”
Local senior citizen, honourable herder D.Khuukhen consecrated the ger with blessings. To commemorate the opening, morin khuur performer B.Khuderbat played the fiddle and folk musician I.Togooch performed a traditional long song. Kh.Noinoo, cultural heritage officer of the Seniors Association also gave a brief lecture on traditional Gobi culture and customs.
About Oyu Tolgoi LLC (http://ot.mn/en)
Oyu Tolgoi LLC, Mongolia's largest copper and gold mining company, is a strategic partnership between the Government of Mongolia, Turquoise Hill Resources and Rio Tinto. Located in the Umnugobi, Oyu Tolgoi has commissioned Concentrator plant in December, 2012 and commenced shipments of copper concentrate in July of 2013. As the biggest single investment in Mongolian history, Oyu Tolgoi already is a major driver of the country’s economy.
Oyu Tolgoi is managed by Rio Tinto, which is investing global expertise and cutting-edge technology to help develop Mongolia’s mining industry and ensure Oyu Tolgoi is one of the world’s most advanced mines. Oyu Tolgoi is developing a nationwide vocational training programme, regional infrastructure, and is committed to ensuring more than 90 per cent Mongolian national employment and a strong Mongolian supplier base. These programmes will help drive economic growth for generations to come.
Oyu Tolgoi’s core commitment is to a safe work place and setting a new standard in environmental care.
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