Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia – A group of mothers of employees at Oyu Tolgoi were treated to a special celebration to mark International Women’s Day on Saturday 8 March.
As part of a number of events to celebrate the holiday, a group of five mothers were treated to a VIP visit to Oyu Tolgoi to see their children at work. The mothers were selected following an essay writing competition amongst Oyu Tolgoi employees called: “My letter to my mother.”
The mothers toured the mine, visited the concentrator plant, the open pit and dined with their grown-up children in the workers’ mess. T.Undrakh’s mother S.Ichinkhorloo, a teacher at the Mongolian National Teacher’s University said: “The Oyu Tolgoi mine is quite different from what we are used to seeing, hearing, and reading about on TV and radio and in the newspapers. We have seen for ourselves that this is indeed one of Mongolia’s biggest construction projects in the 21st century and we are very happy to have visited the mine. I really felt proud. If possible, many more should come and see the mine for themselves.”
Ts.Enkhjargal, L.Bolor-Erdene’s mother who came all the way from Sukhbaatar aimag in the south east of Mongolia said: “I am very happy that my daughter won in the essay competition and made it possible for me to visit and see this grandiose project. I felt proud seeing my daughter work here and also the concentrator and the open pit. My daughter has a wonderful team and a safe working environment, so I am no longer worried about her.”
“My mother once said to me: ‘not a single piece of ore should be thrown away, my son. Together, they are the foundation of major development.’ She is still working responsibly and safely,” wrote one of the competition winners.
Other participants in the essay competition wrote the following:
“Thank you mom, for listening to all my joys, sorrow and happiness, love, mistakes and even my work, and giving valuable advice.”
“Your daughter loves you so much because you never ask for a reward for the love you shower on me, because you are the very essence of my life.”
“Your son loves you more than anyone else because you kiss my cheek and remind me to work safely when I go to work. When I land at Khanbumbat airport, I call you before anyone else to tell you that I have arrived safely because after kissing my cheek and bidding me farewell, you wait impatiently to hear the words – I have landed safely,”
“Let my mother come to Oyu Tolgoi, see the development that her son has taken part in and tell it to people when she returns. Let her be proud of her son.”
These few lines are expressions deep from the hearts of hundreds of young men and women working at Oyu Tolgoi. This is why we say: “If there is fire in your heart, we can see fire in the hearth.”
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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