Oyu Tolgoi has opened our eyes to what is possible

Choir School Director praises mine’s contribution to new buildings and hi-tech learning

Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia (ot.mn) – Choir School Director Enkhbat G and senior executives from Oyu Tolgoi, along with local Lamas, presided over the symbolic blessing of a new training and community centre in Govisumber Aimag on Saturday.

The school is expanding fast. Four years ago there were 90 students at the school, now, thanks partly to major investment by Oyu Tolgoi, there are nearly 700. The school is becoming famous for its use of advanced multimedia technology.

The ceremony, attended by well over a hundred staff, students, contractors and media, saw several traditional musical performances, a play written by one of the school directors, and speeches by senior figures including David Paterson, Vice-President of Communications and Regional Development at Oyu Tolgoi.

During the ceremony, a small excavator dug a hole and the guests helped to bless the site, pouring milk and scattering seed.

Director Enhkbat said: “Of course it is not just about buildings. Perhaps the most important contribution is the new technology, new concepts, and new approaches to learning that we now have in Choir. Oyu Tolgoi has played a big part in delivering that.”

David Paterson said that Oyu Tolgoi was proud to support the school. “It was important to us that these buildings are a true community effort, designed in collaboration with the students and staff.

“We are delighted to be helping the students of Mongolia to gain the skills that will give them great opportunities in the future.”

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About Oyu Tolgoi (www.ot.mn)

Oyu Tolgoi LLC is Mongolia’s largest copper and gold mining company and is a strategic partnership between the Government of Mongolia, Ivanhoe Mines 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 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$85 million dollars (110 billion tugriks) in training.

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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