Geoecological situation in the region of the Erdenet mining and processing facility (Mongolia)

Jargalsaihan, Bolortuya; Orlova, Nadezhda Al.; Suzdaleva, Antonina

doi:10.1051/e3sconf/202337103053

Cited by 3 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 29 publications

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“…Dust content varies from 680 to 4250 mg/m 3 depending on the specific consumption and type of explosive, type of rocks and other factors (Nosyrev et al., 2015). The volume of tailings in Erdenet reaches 600 million m 3 , and their area is more than 1300 ha (Jargalsaikhan, 2023). The tailings consist of non‐magnetic minerals: quartz, albite and muscovite (95%–98%).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Resource conundrum in Mongolia: Soil contamination from coal and copper–molybdenum mining

Sodnomdarjaa,

Knippertz,

Karthe

et al. 2024

Soil Use and Management

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Soil contamination and the resulting ecological disturbances are a common phenomenon in mining areas, including the vicinities of the largest and oldest open‐pit mining areas in Mongolia. In this work, the potential ecological risk index (RI), Nemerow integrated pollution index (PIN), and Geoaccumulation index (Igeo) were used to estimate the level of soil contamination with Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Cr, and Pb in the top layer of the soils around Baganuur coal mine and Erdenet copper–molybdenum mine. Three different analytical methods were used: portable X‐ray fluorescence (pXRF) for the first assessment of samples, and stationary X‐ray fluorescence and Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectroscopy for the confirmation of results in the laboratory. Even though general contamination levels in both study areas were relatively low, some potentially toxic elements were found at contents several times higher than the maximum permissible level (MPL) according to the national standard of Mongolia. In the Baganuur area, Zn was up to 2.8 and As was up to 3.00 times higher, while in the Erdenet area, As was up to 2.4, Cr was up to 1.7, Cu was up to 8.1, and Zn was up to 1.2 times higher than MPL of the national standard in the vicinity to the mining and industrial area. The estimation of the pXRF measurement had generally similar results to the other two laboratory methods based on spatial distributions of heavy metal content. Among the different geochemical indices, the PIN showed a more accurately distinguished spatial distribution of contamination. For example, highly contaminated areas were found in the vicinity of the open pit, the tailings pond and the industrial area based on PIN results: 3.6%–4.9% of the total area in Baganuur and 3.1%–4.9% of the total area in Erdenet. The identified pollution levels emphasize the essential need for soil rehabilitation in mining areas, a key factor for Mongolia's economic development and environmental stability. In addition, the lack of documented soil rehabilitation initiatives underscores the pressing need for enhanced environmental responsibility in the country's expanding mining sector.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Resource conundrum in Mongolia: Soil contamination from coal and copper–molybdenum mining

Sodnomdarjaa,

Knippertz,

Karthe

et al. 2024

Soil Use and Management

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Tackling soil erosion and contamination within the SDGs framework: a case study of the Erdenet copper-molybdenum mine

Sodnomdarjaa,

Lehmkuhl,

Karthe

et al. 2024

SNF

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Mining operations in Mongolia have contributed significantly to national economic growth. However, the lack of adequate mine land rehabilitation practices has resulted in various forms of land degradation, including land cover change, soil erosion and contamination with heavy metals and metalloids. These issues have negatively affected ecosystems and posed potential risks to human health due to the interconnected relationships between land, water and human activities. This study focuses on the copper-molybdenum mining site of Erdenet, the oldest and one of the largest copper mines in Mongolia, to investigate the main drivers of soil degradation and evaluate effective rehabilitation strategies. By combining findings from our previous studies on soil erosion and contamination in the Erdenet area with a review of existing research, we assess key rehabilitation priorities. Taking a Nexus approach, this study explores the interconnections between environmental, economic and social sectors, emphasizing the importance of balancing mining activities with sustainable land management. The previous studies suggest that for the next 10–15 years, priorities should focus on tailings storage facility rehabilitation and soil contamination remediation, while longer-term goals include developing sustainable environmental management strategies that foster cooperation between mining corporations and local communities, enforce regulations and improve monitoring in the Erdenet mining area. The study aligns these priorities with the Sustainable Development Goals, offering science-based recommendations for managing soil erosion and reducing contamination.

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Heavy metal concentrations and water quality assessment of different types of drinking water wells in the Erdenet Cu–Mo mining area

Munkhsuld,

Murayama,

Fukushi

et al. 2024

Discov Environ

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The Erdenet mine (Erdenet, Mongolia) is a copper–molybdenum open pit mine with a huge tailing pond and is located next to a residential area. As the sources of drinking water in this area rely on groundwater and can be categorized into public or private wells, we aimed to assess the groundwater quality of the different types of drinking water wells. To accomplish our goal, we analyzed 18 trace metals (As, Ba, Bi, Cd, Co, Cr, Cs, Cu, Ga, Mo, Ni, Pb, Se, Sr, Th, U, V, Zn) and 8 major metals (Al, Ca, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Si) samples using ICP-MS and ICP-OES, and the heavy metal pollution index, heavy metal evaluation index, and degree of contamination were calculated. The most concerning point is that the Mo concentration of waste water in the Erdenet mine tailing pond and at a natural spring located 300 m from the tailing pond was 1100 μg/L, which greatly exceeds the WHO permissible concentration for Mo of 70 μg/L. Furthermore, high Ca and Mg concentrations at all private wells indicated that consumers of these wells are more vulnerable to any type of water pollution, as these wells are not built with any disinfection or treatment system. A modified categorization of the water quality indices showed that the public and private wells have low–medium contamination and that the tailing pond seepage water, along with its nearest spring, have a high degree of contamination. Because many private wells are located along the tailing pond and used directly without any treatment, we suggest a continuous evaluation and monitoring of the groundwater quality in this area.

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Geoecological situation in the region of the Erdenet mining and processing facility (Mongolia)

Cited by 3 publications

References 29 publications

Resource conundrum in Mongolia: Soil contamination from coal and copper–molybdenum mining

Resource conundrum in Mongolia: Soil contamination from coal and copper–molybdenum mining

Tackling soil erosion and contamination within the SDGs framework: a case study of the Erdenet copper-molybdenum mine

Heavy metal concentrations and water quality assessment of different types of drinking water wells in the Erdenet Cu–Mo mining area

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