Technical and technological support for disposal of ecological loads arising from illegal mining in the central part of Mongolia.
 

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Project sponzor: Ministry of Environment of the Czech Republic

Contractor: GEOMIN company, Jihlava

Project manager: Jiří Šourek

Counterpart organizations:

• Ministry of Nature, Environment and Tourism of Mongolia
• Implementing Agency of the Government of Mongolia – Mineral Resources Authority of Mongolia (MRAM)

Place of completion: Aimags Bayankhongor, Uvurkhangai, Umnugovi, Selenge and Tov

Project duration: 2008 – 2010

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Intense artisanal mining of small to medium gold deposits is proceeding in central Mongolia since twenties of the last century, especially in Bayankhongor, Dalanzadgad, Khanbogh-Khatanbulag and Boroo – Kharaa areas. Use of metallic mercury and cyanide technology causes important contamination of all components of environment. Above named project followed previous one – Assessment of environmental risks of mercury contamination in the course of mining in Selenge catchment area.

The main aim of project was to locate ecological loads caused by artisanal miners (so called ninjas) in the course of gold mining, to establish its extent and possible danger for human health and to elaborate and test another, harmless technology of mining.

 

In the course of three years following workings have been executed:

1. Identification of ecological loads in Bayankhongor aimag, especially is close vicinity of Bayankhongor city and Shinejinst and Gurvantes sums,
2. Survey of newly arising wastes at Darkhan city,
3. Study of applied technologies of gold ore treatment,
4. Development of „Technological Center“ aimed at decontamination of dangerous mine wastes with high portion of mercury and area revitalization
5. Study of mercury and its compounds mobility
6. Insulation of dangerous wastes at Bortolgoi, Orkhiro gol, Tsagaan Tsakhir, Ten Khun and Dalanzadgad localities by overlaying by inert material and ground shaping of close surroundings, damping sites monitoring
7. Completion of construction workings of Technological Center, pilot run
8. Co-operation in preparation of two next Technical Centers at Bayan Ovoo and Bornuur
9. Training courses and workshops for local people

All work have been carried out in accordance with activities of National Council for use of chemical and dangerous agents, reponsible for elimination of ecological loads after gold mining.

Localization of ecological loads

Localization of dangerous waste deposits