ANNUAL%20REPORT%202015%20eng

Sustainability Report
There are number of sources of noise that are typically associated with our mining operations. They include dump
trucks, large earth-moving equipment such as excavators and coal transportation trucks. Blasting activities, which
are an essential component of our mine operations, cause ground vibration as well as overpressure, and may on
occasion be felt or heard by our closest neighbouring communities. We understand and acknowledge that noise
and vibrations can impact the communities and take constructive measures to mitigate the potential impacts. We
have a noise management plan according to which we identify and evaluate sources of noise and vibration on a
regular basis. Some of the practical steps we undertake to minimize noise and vibration include:
• Regular maintenance of machinery to ensure it operates with minimal noise;
• Cooperation with suppliers to provide machinery that is designed to work with minimal noise;
• Keep operation and storage of heavy equipment as far as possible from the residential areas;
• Provision of a community hotline service with which residents can report concerns over noise and vibration;
and
• Blasting only when weather conditions are deemed favourable.
Air quality monitoring is an integral part of our dust management plan. Dust concentration, dust deposition, noise
level and pollutant gases are main parameters for the monitoring. Portable tools such as Dust trak 8530, Casella
Cel 240 and Testo XL 350 are used to monitor the air quality. Air quality monitoring measurements are conducted
throughout the project area on a monthly basis.
We monitor PM2.5 dust levels at 22 different sites in and around the UHG mine and TKH area. Other types of air
emissions such as sulphur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide are regularly measured by the Central Environmental and
Metrological Laboratory against the national air quality standards (MNS 4585:2007), and measurements of other
gases such as sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide and carbon monoxide at the UHG power plant are performed
against the national air quality standards (MNS 5919:2008).
During the reporting period, PM2.5 measurements were conducted 42 times against the national MNS 4585:2007
standard in Tsogttsetsii soum and TKH area. The average level of PM2.5 stood below the acceptable value
of national air quality standard (0.05 mg/m 3 ) at most of the measuring points. To improve the transparency of
operations, our dust monitoring report is published on the UHG monthly bulletin for public viewing.
Noise levels were measured at 10 monitoring points around the UHG mine site and the results were in compliance
with the national standard.
Environmental monitoring
Environmental monitoring activities play an important role in our proactive approach towards environmental
sustainability. It also serves as a tool for us in creating an effective dialogue with the host communities and
communicating our performance in environmental management area. Regular monitoring and measuring of the
impact of our activities on the environment are conducted at 94 specific points within the project impact area to
ensure that they are within the nationally-accepted levels. Our monitoring activities include biodiversity studies and
the monitoring of dust emissions, noise levels, air pollution, soil erosion, groundwater pollution and shallow water
pollution. Every year, our environmental monitoring plans are approved by the national environmental authorities
and monitoring activities are conducted on a monthly, quarterly and annual basis depending on their types. The
sampling and measurements are performed in compliance with national environmental standards using the latest
equipment and measurement devices. Samples are tested at accredited national and international laboratories.
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Annual Report 2015