Press release: World’s leading technology in water conservation to be introduced to Mongolia’s mining sector

– Oyu Tolgoi is committed to preserving the water reserve for the local citizens and the generations to come –

Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia – In a quest to find a self-sustaining and reliable water source for the project, Oyu Tolgoi’s engineers recently discovered a water reserve at ‘Gunii Khooloi'. Approximately 70 km from the Oyu Tolgoi mine, the underground aquifer lies 400m underground and extends over a 675 square km area.

“Oyu Tolgoi is committed to preserving the water reserve for the local citizens and the generations to come,” said T. Bayarsaikhan, Vice President Regional Development and Social Performance, Oyu Tolgoi LLC.

Only 20 per cent of this water reserve will be used during the 40 years of uninterrupted mining operation. Oyu Tolgoi will be one of the few mining operations in the world with such a strong environmental commitment to the economical utilisation of water. The most efficient tailings thickener is planned for use during operation of the Oyu Tolgoi mine. Industrial waste water will be completely drawn back to the concentrator for reuse. 100 per cent of cooling water, underground water from the mine, domestic waste water and vehicle wash water will be reused after treatment.

This water reuse model is classified as the most economical model in the world. “I am very happy that environmentally friendly, water conserving technology is being introduced to Mongolia’s mining sector,” said T. Bayarsaikhan.

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.

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