Oyu Tolgoi Mining and Processing EIA

Oyu Tolgoi ProjectMining and Processing EIA9.2 Baseline ConditionsEnvironmental noise impacts of the Project were not considered to be a significant aspect due to theremoteness of the Project and the lack of permanent dwellings within 10 km of the Project boundary.Baseline noise monitoring has not been included in this impact assessment although noise monitoringobjectives prior to operations is proposed.Coal trucks from the Tavan Tolgoi coal mine, approximately 150 km northwest, pass by the projectarea on route to China via the Gashuun Sukhait border crossing post. The coal truck route passes within5 km of the Project Area on unsealed informal roads. The use of the area for transport of coal is theonly significant noise source other than the mineral exploration drilling activity at Oyu Tolgoi whichhas continued since 1997.Considering that no vibration sources, such as railway or heavy haul road, exist at the project area, nobaseline vibration has been completed prior to operations.Standards and GuidelinesThe Mongolian standards establish a maximum environmental noise exposure for nearby noiseresidents as 60 decibels (measured on the A scale) (dBA).In absence of detailed Mongolian criteria for ambient noise, the World Bank guidelines are proposed tobe applied for the Project. The guideline states that noise abatement measures should achieve either thelevels given in Table 9.1 or a maximum increase in background levels of 3 dBA with reference to thetabled objectives defined for hourly measurements.Table 9.1 World Bank Guidelines for Ambient NoiseMaximum Allowable Log Equivalent, in dBAReceptorDay (07:22-22:00) Night (22:00-07:00)Residential, institutional, educationalIndustrial, commercial55704570The Project facility will meet the ground vibration and airblast limits for blasting in mines and quarriesestablished by the Department of Natural Resources and Environment of Victoria, Australia, which are:Prepared by ECO-TRADE LLC.,Environmental Consultants, MongoliaClient: Ivanhoe Mines Mongolia Inc(IMMI) XXKPart II. Chapter 9. Page 3