– Mongolian master crane operator with 33 years experience –
Thousands of Mongolians are building and developing the world-class mine, Oyu Tolgoi – the largest development in the history of Mongolia. Let me introduce you to one of these people. His name is D.Javkhlant, crane operator at Oyu Tolgoi. Jack has worked as a crane operater for 33 years and has achieved the highest level in his profession of 6th grade master crane operator. D.Javkhlant began working at the Oyu Tolgoi mine in 2004 and has been involved in building the main industrial facilities of the mine including the large industrial development projects of Shaft 1 and 2, the concentrator and assembly of the 'Komatsu 930E-4SE' dump truck with 290 tonnes of capacity, the first to arrive at Oyu Tolgoi. He participated in the complicated work of assembling large heavy-duty trucks that arrived in parts to the mine site, from the beginning until completion.
Mr.Javkhlant learned a lot from foreign specialists while working at a large foreign invested gold mine between 2001-2003. While there, he operated a 100 tonnes crane manufactured in Japan. He thought the crane was a much better piece of equipment compared with cranes of our northern neighbors. There, he shared what he learned and taught many students. Since working at Oyu Tolgoi, Jack has trained 12 apprentices. Now, all young crane operators are his students. He said, “I have the youth sit by me and then I explain to them in detail about cranes and how to operate them”. He praised his students, “they learn fast as they have good technical education.”
There are many types of cranes such as crawler, wheel tracked, and vehicle-mounted cranes at the mine. These range from the bridge crane, of which there are only two in Mongolia, to the latest 250-300 tonnes capacity German Liebherr cranes. He can operate all these cranes. When a new model of crane arrives, it comes with a training manual that includes detailed operational instruction. He reads it first and then operates the crane. He said, “today, cranes have become very advanced machinery. These cranes almost never breakdown as they have self-indicated maintenance timers. It is just like how cell phones have developed and progressed – remotely controlled, fully automatic. When wind speeds reach 14 metres/sec, the crane signals, 'not possible to hoist'. If the load exceeds the appropriate capacity, it also signals. Russian cranes would hoist a load even if the load exceeded capacity, and then fall off.” He knows his job very well, like the back of his hand. When he graduated from the crane operator’s course, he had the qualification of a 3rd grade of crane operator. Every three to four years, he sat and passed exams to improve his score and became a master crane operator with highest grade. He attends training courses with the state professional commission and takes theoretical and practical skills tests in order to get these grades. Since a crane operator’s job is related to human life, the requirements are very strict.
The mineworkers call him 'Jack'. D.Javkhant says, “the young people at work call their colleagues, younger than me, their elder brother. However, they call me Jack. I feel young in my mind and I treat and play with the young people like I’m one of them. Although, I’m already more than 60 years old, I stay very active. That is probably why I can still climb into the two story high crane,” he smiled.
Comments like, “Let’s have Jack raise it” or “if Jack lifts it, there is nothing to worry about”, are made all the time at the mine. The job of crane operator carries a lot of responsibility, there is no room for mistakes. Every morning, the workers receive safety instructions. At Oyu Tolgoi safety is of the upmost importance. Jack says “when we lift a load, we consult and make careful estimations on how to lift it, what size rope and cable to use and from what distance. There is no such thing as ‘let’s try and lift it up’. We lift loads only when safety is ensured.” Lifting operations are calculated not only by seconds but also by milliseconds. It is hard to imagine what dangerous accidents could happen if a 250 tonnes load, lifted up in the air, falls off. Therefore, this job carries a lot of responsibility.
Jack has been working and communicating with foreign specialists since 2001 and his English has improved significantly. Now he communicates without an interpreter. He lifts and raises loads and assembles equipment throughout the day. He is a native of Buren soum of Tov aimag (central province). However, he is used to the climate of the Gobi desert now and no longer feels hot during the Gobi summer.
He happily says, “Oyu Tolgoi is bringing great change to the lives of people. It is a great opportunity to work in our motherland and live a satisfying and decent life. Our mine offers the most comfortable working and living environment for workers.”
Common people, like Jack with his extraordinary history, are taking part in the great development work of Oyu Tolgoi and carrying it forward.
Ch.Batpurev
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