Veterans of Mongolian mining have visited the largest development project in Mongolia this century – Oyu Tolgoi mine.
The veterans of the Mongolian mining sector included ten miners and geologists such as U.Buyanbaatar, who mined 'black gold' in Tavan Tolgoi coal mine for almost ten years and was awarded with the honorary title: 'Hero of Labor of Mongolia', honoured industrial worker J.Sumya, known as 'Salt' to the public and, S.Jadambaa. who is known by the public as 'from Nalaikh' rather than a son of Sampil. He managed the Nalaik coal mine for many years. They were joined by I.Logshir, head of the Mongolian association of senior geologists, R.Sandui, who led the coal sector of Ministry of Mining and Infrastructure, B.Laikhansuren, PhD and lecturer at the Mongolian University of Science and Technology, N.Ulziibat, a geologist who worked as a journalist for many years and M.Mendbileg, a geophysicist who worked for many years as a governor of Central province. None of them had visited Oyu Tolgoi before, even though they had all heard about it many times.
T.Munkhbat, Oyu Tolgoi’s Deputy Director, Resource Strategy and Innovation and President of the Mongolian association of geologists and S.Sanjdorj, Vice-President for the Oyu Tolgoi project, who took part in the discovery of Oyu Tolgoi warmly received their colleagues and showed them around before holding an interesting conversation about Oyu Tolgoi – the most striking development project this century. They also discussed its current progress and future prospects.
The tour participants visited the mine’s concentrator plant which has the capacity to process 100 thousand tonnes of ore daily, the repair and maintenance shop for heavy equipment and machinery, the geological laboratory, open pit training facility, the Undai river improvement project and the Demchog temple in Khanbogd soum.
They also saw with their own eyes the Khanbumbat airport which has paved runways of a standard which did not exist in Mongolia before, Komatsu dump trucks with 320 tonne capacity, giant excavators with 60 and 120 tonne capacity and the 2.7 km ore belt conveyer as well as the gigantic ore crusher at the concentrator plant.
They were excited to see all this equipment and to see how safety is upheld at Oyu Tolgoi, saying that they wanted to see this best practice introduced in all sectors of Mongolia.
Kh.Lkhamaa, Oyu Tolgoi stakeholder engagement Superintendent who initiated and organised this tour said: “The tour of senior miners and geologists was really beneficial and left everyone with great impressions. They are veterans who have done so much for the country and have solid positions on many issues. Since they are all miners, they see and evaluate everything through professional eyes. That was very unique. They are well-known and famous people who spent most of their life in the Mongolian mining sector and know its history very well.
“It was great seeing them talk about it with such pride. I have organised many tours with various people to Oyu Tolgoi and introduced dozens of people to this large development project. However, I did not see many like these geologists who were so sincerely excited after seeing the Oyu Tolgoi development. Geologists and miners are enthusiastic people who always seek out new things and look forward. I think it is important that Oyu Tolgoi tours involving not only mining professonals, but veterans from all sectors, are organised on a regular basis.
“If this happens, the saying: “Wise teaching of elders is gold” will be truly reflected in real life.”
The senior geologists and miners expressed their views on the Oyu Tolgoi development.
U.Buyanbaatar, Hero of Labour said: “I saw the Oyu Tolgoi development work with my own eyes and am really proud of this. It is something to be proud of when such a large mine and plant is developed in the Gobi desert which was previously just pastureland for camels.
“Oyu Tolgoi managers, S.Sanjdorj and T.Munkhbat know their very work very well. I saw here that Mongolians can accomplish anything if the funding is available. Oyu Tolgoi upholds the highest of safety standards and the latest equipment and technology is used.
J.Sumya, Honorary industrial worker said: “I felt here that the development of Mongolian geology and mining sector have already already reached world standard levels. After seeing the mine, I admire the intellectual capacity of Mongolian people.
We saw the strict safety regulations and the advanced skills of geologists and engineers as well as the latest and best equipment and technology.
S.Jadambaa, honorary industrial worker said: “I would like to thank Oyu Tolgoi for inviting us, senior representatives of the mining sector and showing us the development. This is a large development project not only for Mongolia, but by world standards as well. I wish prosperity to this wonderful project. As the number of mines like Oyu Tolgoi increase, Mongolia will develop and the livelihoods of people will be improved. What I saw here and what I became aware of after coming here is that some of the information that we read in the media is incorrect. Understanding the truth is best.
N.Ulziibat, geologist and journalist said: “Oyu Tolgoi is the largest development in Mongolia of this century. After coming here, I felt there is a huge difference between hearing about it on TV from 600 km away and seeing it on the ground.
“These large buildings and facilities are very orderly and have strict regulations and procedures. Oyu Tolgoi is not only a name of a hill of minerals, but a name card and brand which will make Mongolia known to the world. Engineering and technical personnel and all those who work here have turned Oyu Tolgoi into a hill of intellect.”
I.Logshir, head of the Mongolian association of senior geologists said: “Mongolians say it’s better to see once than hear one thousand times. We saw Oyu Tolgoi development for the first time. I can’t help but feel pride seeing the enormous scale of development acomplished by the investors. We should feel pride that Mongolians took part in this great development work. I believe that Oyu Tolgoi mine, ranked in the top ten in the world, will benefit Mongolia.
“I was impressed by how Oyu Tolgoi cares for its personnel and provides excellent working and living conditions. I’m sure that people who work here are satisfied. I saw that a lot of young people are working here and becoming proud for the future generation of Mongolians. Currently the open pit mine and concentrator plant are working at fully capacity. However, we need to disseminate more accurate information about this great development work to the public. I’m saying this because many people have a wrong impression about the Oyu Tolgoi project.”
B.Laikhansuren PhD, professor and director of the Explosives centre of Mongolian University of Science and Technology and manager of 'Mining Journal' said: For Mongolians, the top development project of the 20th century was Erdenet mine. Now, Oyu Tolgoi is the top development project of 21st century. Oyu Tolgoi is a large complex of mining and a concentrator plant.
“Erdenet was built by our Russian brothers and it is our pride that Oyu Tolgoi was built by Mongolians under the direction of foreign specialists. As a teacher, I’m proud that graduates of Mongolian University of Science and Technology who majored not only in mining, but also in construction, energy, light industry, and even food, took part in this development project. This is truly a prideful achievement for Mongolian people. Our youth can now implement any large project if the funding, equipment and technology are available.”
R.Sandui, advisor of the 'Energy Resource' said: “I worked in the mining sector from when I graduated from the mining institute
I worked in the ministry and mining agency for 15 years in charge of coal policy and I also worked as an engineer and a deputy director of Baganuur mine for 14 years. This was the first time that I saw the Oyu Tolgoi mine. I saw that latest and best mining equipment and technology has been introduced in Mongolia for the first time. The 120 tonne excavator, which is the most powerful in the non-ferrous metallurgy sector, is a first for Mongolia. The technology of the concentrator plant identifies the copper, gold and silver content from the ore concentrate and determines the market price of the concentrate. It is a great plant which has introduced world-class standards.
“The independent monitoring laboratory is crucial in determining the grade of precious metals in the copper concentrate. At every step, I felt that much attention is being paid to the working conditions and safety of more than four thousand people working at the mine at any time.I hope that the investors and Mongolian government will work together to create social infrastructure for the mine which will work for 80-100 years.
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