Mine rehabilitates old, broken water wells
Wells and springs are the main source of water for both herders and animals in the Gobi. During socialist times, collective farms organised the cleaning and protection of hand-operated water wells, but now this type of work has nearly been forgotten.
Along with Altan Nutag, a local NGO, Oyu Tolgoi has initiated a programme to improve pastureland management in Khanbogd. The launching of this programme proved to be timely for Gobi residents and herders and offered the opportunity to solve issues surrounding rehabilitation and water-well maintenance. The programme aims to rehabilitate pastureland that is being used in mine development and promote the increase of household incomes in the region. As the programme began, a list of hand-operated and deep water-wells in need of repair and maintenance was developed with the participation of local residents and feedback from focus group discussions in Khanbogd.
Water-well repair and maintenance
The wells were re-dug using state-of-the-art equipment and concrete rings for support were installed. This was progressive work which solved previous deficiencies from herders digging the boreholes by hand. Each meter of the installed concrete rings can accumulate 1.2 tonnes of water. Some herder groups fenced the water wells using a traditional method such as stacking stones and wood. Fencing the water-wells enlarges water reserves, this is one way to retain and preserve appropriate water levels.
As of Q4 2012, Oyu Tolgoi has rehabilitated 20 hand-operated water-wells in partnership with Altan Nutag and herder groups. Ten of the observed water-wells were broken and beyond repair, therefore the programme initiated the digging of a new adjoining well to provide a water source at a similar location.
Oyu Tolgoi is planning to continue rehabilitation and repair of these broken and damaged hand-operated water wells based on guidance from local herders and the community.
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