The Oyu Tolgoi project implements Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA), Environmental Management Plans (EMP), and monitors their implementation in accordance with the relevant laws, regulations, and standards of Mongolia.
The project conducts water supply operations based on detailed hydrogeological investigations carried out since 2003 in the Gunii Hooloi aquifer, located in Khanbogd soum, Umnugovi province. Based on confirmed groundwater resources, water is sourced from the Gunii Hooloi aquifer, situated approximately 35–70 km north of Oyu Tolgoi's licensed area. The majority of the project's water usage is for the concentrator plant, which currently recycles approximately 87% of its process water.
"Oyu Tolgoi" LLC pays groundwater resource utilization fees to the local government, calculated based on the ecological and economic valuation of the Galba-Oosh Dolood Basin groundwater resources, in accordance with the Law on Natural Resources Utilization Fees. Additionally, the project implements a community-based environmental monitoring program involving local citizens to assess the impact on herders' wells, springs, and other water sources, as well as other environmental monitoring activities.