Tavan Tolgoi (TT Basin) Coal Mine EIA for Energy Resources (ER) Co., Mongolia, 2006-2007

Ecotrade completed the Environmental and Social Baseline for BHP Billiton, Australia in 2005 and a comprehensive detailed EIA for Energy Resources Consortium, Mongolia in 2006. The Ministry of Nature and Environment approved he EIA and the legal environmental approval document for the TT Coal Mining Project with above mentioned capacity.

Tavan Tolgoi Coal Deposit is one of the largest Coal Deposits in the World estimated at 6.5 billion tonnes of coal resources, of which 2.0 billion tonnes are high qualified coxing coal. The main feature of this deposit is the accumulation of huge coal deposits with coxing in a relatively small valley, shallow existence and high quality coxing coal.

At present about 96% interest of this Gigantic Coal Mine is owned by the Mongolian Government. Tavan Tolgoi Coal mine is located in the Tsogt Tsetsii Soum, South Gobi Aimag, Mongolia.

The Final DEIA report consists of 20 sections which cover Project Description, Environmental Impact Assessment on each ecosystems components and rehabilitation, and environmental protection and monitoring programs. Within DEIA framework all exploration licenses areas in TT Coal deposits area were covered and the whole environmental parameters of this area were collected. Mining activity will focus on Tsankhi I and Ukhaa Hudag deposits. Proposed mitigation measures were described on each section relating to the impacts and put together with other regulations in the environmental protection plan (EPP).
Main environmental features and requirements which are stated in this document are as follows and these will be considered for future development of mining and other projects in this area.
1. DEIA mainly based on preliminary project document including up to 15 million tonnes of coal mining capacity, and is for Tsankhi #1, Ukhaa Khudag areas. If the production numbers and Project Design parameters of the DEIA Project descriptions are changed then it would be reviewed by MNE and here may be some amendments to DEIA reports.
2. Tavan Tolgoi area is very dry desert area, and there are no surface water flows. The Ground water level is mostly located deeper than 40 meters and the surface drainage areas have shallow aquifers with a depth of 3-5 meters. Local people utilising springs and shallow aquifers by dug wells. Such dug wells registered in the TT area are over 10 with 1 spring within the TT exploration area. Water qualities are not good, high mineralization content and hardness; in some areas of coal bearing deposits there are high contents of iron and other metals. Deep aquifer waters are unsuitable for drinking use.
3. The TT area is distributed between 7 types of desert and semi-desert brown and takyre soil types. Average content of humus is 3.4-4.5%, exchangeable phosphorus is 2.8-3.2 mg per 100 g, and potassium is 13-15 mg per 100 g of soil. Thickness of soil stratum reaches up to 15 cm. According to the environmental regulation and standards it is required to remove top soil up to 20 cm before mining and constructing activity and must be rehabilitated and re-cultivated after the removal of constructions.
4. Tavan Tolgoi area belongs to the Dornogobi semi-desert vegetation cover. Main dominants of the vegetation are Stipa gobica (Монгол өвс), Allium poyrrhizum (Таана), Salsola passerina Bge (Бор бударгана), Reaumuria soongorica (Улаан бударгана), Anabasis brevifolia (Түнтгэр баглуур), Salsola laricifolia (Шар бударгана), Nitraria sibirica (Сибир хармаг), Cleistogenes soongorica (Зүүн гарын хазаар өвс), Allium mongolicum (Хөмүүл), Nanophyton gobica (Төлөгчдүү бор таар), and Eurotia ceratiodes (Орог тэсэг). Some areas have also registered Stipa Krilovi (Криллов хялгана) and Artemisa frigida (Aгь). In During the field survey DEIA the TT project area, registered 123 plant species which belongs to 78 types and 29 families. In further mining areas 4 species of rare and endemic plants were registered. During the project design and implementation stage it was required to relocate these 4 plants (Limonium aureum, Arnebia cutata, Carioptris mongolica, Vencetoxicum sibiricum) to available places to ensure their further growth.
5. In the TT coal mining area 42 species of vertebrates of which 18 species of mammals, 16 species of birds and 8 species of reptiles have been registered. 50 percent are permanent habitants, 33% of them hibernate in the winter period, and 17 % of them are migrants. Three species of vertebrates are Cardiocranius paradoxus (Тавруу тажигдаахай), Salpingotus kozlovi, Salpingotus crassicauda (Гувруу тажигдаахай), Euchoreutes naso (Соотон алагдаага) registered in the Mongolian Red Book and the Aegypius monachus (Хар тас) is listed CITIES convention in Appendix #2 for limiting international trade of rare animals and plants. Presently, most of the animals are being frightened away.
6. The TT project area belongs to the high natural dusty desert region. It consists of loose top soil, harsh climate and sparse vegetation cover. It is really sensitive to mining and transportation activities and has the ability to distribute by wind in the surrounding area. This factor must be considered in detail through the project design and activity, especially in removing top soil and transportation.

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