– Oyu Tolgoi LLC has repaired and upgraded 39 wells in Khanbogd, Manlai and Bayan-Ovoo soums –
Umnugobi, Mongolia – Wells are the primary source of drinking water for Gobi residents and their livestock. During the collective farming period, much work was done to dig and repair wells. However, after collective farms were disbanded, the repair, maintenance and digging of new wells stopped due to lack of manpower, equipment and capital. At most wells, no work to fence them has been done at all during the last 50-60 years, and at some wells the fence was broken, water levels dropped, and the water recovery process deteriorated. Therefore, in cooperation with herders of neighboring soums and local administrations, Oyu Tolgoi LLC has been working for the last three years to dig new wells and repair, restore, and upgrade old wells.This year 27 hand-dug and 12 deep wells in Khanbogd, Manlai, and Bayan-Ovoo soums were repaired and restored with Oyu Tolgoi financing. Of these, 11 wells were restored and transferred to herders in Manlai soum. P.Bold, officer of Oyu Tolgoi LLC’s Regional Development and Social Performance Department describes the well improvement work: “For two previous years, only wells in Khanbogd soum were repaired. The main features of this year’s program is expansion of our scope of work to restore watering points to Manlai and Bayan-Ovoo soums.”
When selecting wells to repair, the herders make a request to the soum governor, then a discussion is held taking into consideration issues such as when the well was broken, the pastureland conditions, livestock from how many households will be served; etc, and then a general agreement is reached and a decision is discussed and approved by the local council. Once herders have received the well, its protection and care is their responsibility. Umnugovi aimag herder D.Amgalan says after receiving the well, "Everybody can use the well, it is really a good work," while the pasture and agriculture specialist of the Governor's office B.Bayarmaa expressed her feelings and said, "There are many complaints regarding scarcity of water and requests to dig new wells from herders. Therefore, digging these wells is a really useful work." Work to repair and restore the wells was conducted by contractor companies “Us erdene,” “Geomandal,” and “Bolor us”. These companies conduct all the work, such as digging, fencing, installing well screens, and protection and casing in accordance with technical requirements. 'Bolor Us’ LLC Director L.Ulziijargal explains, "Generally speaking, hand dug wells are not damaged easily and have very long lives. Especially, a well with a concrete ring can be used for 50 years.”
This year, a total of 39 wells were repaired, of which 22 were in Khanbogd, 6 in Bayan-Ovoo and 11 in Manlai soum. Thus, herders’ water supply has improved in these soums, and it also enables migration in search of better pastures and recovery of pastureland through alternating use of pastures.
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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