Investment made towards Environment
Oyu Tolgoi has been creating a positive impact across Mongolia, extending beyond its mine site.
- In full compliance with Mongolia’s laws and regulations, as well as respective agreements, Oyu Tolgoi has paid all required water-use fees, totaling USD79.4 million since 2013. In addition, the company recycles 86.7% of the water it uses, with an average of 0.4m³ of water per tonne of ore processed—three times lower than the global average of 1.2 cubic metres per tonne.
- Oyu Tolgoi’s environmental stewardship and water‑management initiatives extend beyond the mine site. The company implements climate change adaptation projects at the regional level and works in partnership with herder households and local authorities to support improved and more resilient water supply systems for local communities. These include:
- Herder well improvement: Since 2022, ~33 shallow wells restored with solar pumps, providing reliable water source for families and livestock. These upgraded wells combine traditional designs with modern technology and are based on more than 20 years of monitoring and field experience, improving long‑term performance and reliability.
- Pastureland water supply in Khanbogd: As a result of water exploration and hydrogeological studies, more than 100 new wells have been developed over the past decade
- Undain River diversion project: As the Undain River overlapped with the planned open‑pit expansion area, Oyu Tolgoi implemented a partial riverbed realignment between 2013 and 2014. The project prevents groundwater flows associated with the Undain River from entering the open pit while enhancing water flow, as confirmed through continuous monitoring. As a result, the human‑made Shine Bor Ovoo Spring was formed, which now retains water year‑round and functions as a “Gobi Oasis,” providing a habitat and resting area for wildlife and migratory birds.
- Khanbogd soum water supply: Oyu Tolgoi constructed and handed over a central water supply system for Khanbogd soum in 2017, capable of providing clean drinking water for 30,000–40,000 residents.
- Spring protection: Oyu Tolgoi has implemented measures to protect natural springs across Khanbogd soum and automated the GGW20 borehole in the Galba Gobi area, establishing a sustainable watering point for wildlife..
- Sand dam pilot project: In response to extreme and arid climate conditions, plans are underway to pilot the construction of a retention dam designed to reduce water loss through evaporation and promote subsurface water storage.
- Oyu Tolgoi has completed land rehabilitation work equivalent to planting 12 million trees across 600 hectares near the Tsagaan Zur River in Khuder soum, Selenge province, an area previously degraded and abandoned due to irresponsible mining activities. The rehabilitated land has been officially handed over to the Selenge Province Department of Environment.
This rehabilitation work was financed by Oyu Tolgoi in line with the policy framework of the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change and implemented by local companies based in Selenge province. Restoration activities focused on improving natural soil structure and landforms, creating conditions for biological recovery and supporting the long‑term restoration of the Tsagaan Zur River basin.
Previously, Oyu Tolgoi rehabilitated 400 hectares in the Yalbag Valley of Yeruu soum, Selenge Province, and 215 hectares in Shariin Gol soum, Darkhan‑Uul Province, bringing the total rehabilitated area to 1,215 hectares. Between 2022 and 2025, a total of 36.4 million trees were planted and nurtured directly and through offset initiatives under Oyu Tolgoi’s “100 million Trees for the Future” programme. https://shorturl.at/OmIwT