Bayan Airag Water Infrastructure Area (Bore field) area Environmental and Social Baseline Survey with SMEC Mongolia for QGX Mongolia, 2010

SMEC International Pty Ltd engaged Eco-Trade LLC to undertake an environmental and socio-economic baseline study of proposed water infrastructure area and associated pipeline route for the proposed Bayan Airag Gold Mine Project (the Project). The study area is located in the Durvuljin Soum of Zavkhan Aimag, and joins the eastern boundary of the Project’s Mining Lease . Baseline survey is covered territory of Bayan Airag groundwater resource and ecological formation in its recharge zone, haracteristics of ecosystem their relationship and level of human action within this region. The main purpose of the environmental baseline study was to determine and quantify the existing features of environmental and socio-economic conditions of water infrastructure study area, and the local people who live in and near the study area. The field survey results are considered to be representative of the current environmental and socio-economic condition of the study area and suitable for use in the preparation of an impact assessment for the borefield and other water supply infrastructure. This information should also be helpful to the local communities, administrative organizations, inspection agency and inspectors for completing review as baseline and primary conditions data and documents. The identified environmental features, arid climate, limited resources of the water, semi desert vulnerable soil and vegetation cover, concentration of the winter places, and high number of the livestock head shows that the specific conditions of the study area must be considered during further development of the groundwater resource.

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