Sustainable local employment in Mongolia

One of the largest gold and copper deposits in the world, Oyu Tolgoi means ‘Turquoise Hill’ and has been a source of copper for the Mongolian people dating back to the times of Genghis Khan in the 13^th century.

To assist with the plant’s construction and commissioning, Weir Minerals opened a service centre in Ulaanbaatar. While this was initially staffed with experienced Weir Minerals engineers from around the world, it was designed to facilitate the training and upskilling of local workers.

“Historically, Mongolia has been an exporter of raw materials and an importer of goods and services. The investments Weir Minerals is making in the local people are an important step in promoting Mongolian manufacturing and gaining experience in new skills such as rubber lining.” said Azjargalbayar Yaichil, Mongolia Country Manager, Weir Minerals.

“Our employees love the work and are passionate about working with new technologies and acquiring new skills to build manufacturing capabilities.”

The service centre is primarily staffed by local workers who’ve been trained in the manufacture and application of a variety of Linatex^® rubber products, including moulded products and rubber lining of key equipment.

“Weir Minerals has been in Mongolia for over two decades. We’re here for the long term, and what we want to do is help develop the local people through employment, training them and assisting them on their journey,” Mark Doyle, Global Manager Rubber, Spools & Hoses, Weir Minerals.

Through this service centre, we’re a proud participant in Oyu Tolgoi’s “Made in Mongolia” initiative to develop sustainable local supply chains for the raw materials, products and services that underpin operations at Oyu Tolgoi Mine.

In addition to our locally manufactured Linatex^® rubber products bearing the “??????? ??????? ??????? ??????????” (Made in Mongolia) sticker, we’ve invested in developing partners who in turn supply our service centre with key equipment and services such as fabrication, blasting and painting service, labour support and consumable supply.

“We have a duty, when we’re operating in countries such as Mongolia to develop local capabilities. Made in Mongolia is a fantastic program to foster local labour and local suppliers to deliver products to the mine, and we’re very proud of our role in building sustainable local employment,” says Campbell Stewart, Managing Director, South East and North Asia, Weir Minerals.

But it is probably Ankhbayar Enkhsaikhan, Maintenance Manager for the Oyu Tolgoi Mine, who puts it best: “The more we do in Mongolia, the more money generated by our natural resources stays in Mongolia to help the people of Mongolia.”

The company's participation in “Made in Mongolia” is just once example of Weir Minerals’ worldwide dedication to engaging with local supply chains and building expertise through sustainable employment in the communities where we operate.

The Weir Group was the first company in Scotland to set up an apprentice school and our commitment to training is as strong in the 21st century as it was in the 19th. We’re proud that our businesses can provide experience and training to develop the next generation of engineers.

Read the article online at: https://www.globalminingreview.com/exploration-development/12062020/sustainable-local-employment-in-mongolia/