ERDENET TODAY NEWS

Erdenet factory rehabilitated an area of ​​approximately 1,230 hectares

A joint working group of the Ministry of Environment and Tourism, the Selenge province’s Department of Environment and Tourism, the Ecological Police Service, and the Environment and Green Development Department of the Erdenet Plant State Enterprise worked in Yeroo soum, Selenge province, from October 24th to 26th. They reviewed the progress of the work at the site where technical rehabilitation of the Erdenet Plant is being carried out with funding of 15 billion tugriks.

The Ministry of Environment and Tourism and the “Erdenet Mining” jointly approved the “Disturbed Land Rehabilitation Program”. The program includes technical rehabilitation work on a 2,000-hectare area in Yeroo soum, Selenge province, to be financed by Erdenet Mining. “Jinjii Mining” LLC has been selected to carry out technical rehabilitation work on 1,229.74 hectares of land that have been damaged and abandoned for several years due to mining. Currently, 1,080 hectares of land have been rehabilitated, with 90 percent of the work completed. The project is expected to be completed by November.

The joint working group inspected and assessed the technical rehabilitation work carried out at eight locations in Yeruu soum, including Kharganat Am, Mogoi River, Tsamkhag River, Ugtaal River, Gozongiin Am, and Uvurzalat Am, covering an area of ​​approximately 1,230 hectares each, which were damaged due to mining activities. We are presenting a series of information prepared by journalist U. Tserenbat and photographer B. Battugs.

Head of the Selenge aimag’s Department of Environmental Protection Z. Tuvshintugs:

There are about 3650 hectares of land in Selenge aimag that have been damaged by mining. With the funding of mining enterprises, “Oyu Tolgoi” LLC, and “Erdenet Mining” SOE, technical rehabilitation has been carried out on more than 2000 hectares of land. Oyu Tolgoi Company has restored 398 hectares and Erdenet Plant 1229.74 hectares of land, we thank you for investing in restoring the natural beauty and in the framework of social responsibility. The joint working group is inspecting the technical rehabilitation work on site.

B. Dulmaa, Mining Rehabilitation Specialist at the Ministry of Environment and Tourism:

Two companies have signed a contract with the Erdenet plant and carried out technical rehabilitation and are presenting and handing over the work they have completed. In the rehabilitated area, the Kharganat and Mogoin rivers appear to have recovered and found their proper course. The responsibility to protect and preserve this area from further destruction and damage remains with the local community.

Technical rehabilitation of the Kharganat Am in Yeruu Soum has been completed very well.

After reviewing the progress of the technical rehabilitation work, they met with the residents of Yeruu soum and presented the progress and results of the project. During the meeting, it was emphasized that since there is a high risk of re-mining in the technically rehabilitated area, it is important to work with local residents and government agencies to protect and preserve the natural environment until it is restored. There are 8,000 hectares of land across the country that have been damaged or abandoned for many years due to mining activities. Of this, approximately 3,650 hectares along the Yeroo and Bugant river basins in Selenge province are considered unclaimed and damaged.