
Decade of innovation, lifetime of opportunity
Many standout moments have helped define the first 10 years of operation at Oyu Tolgoi
Last updated: 4 March 2022
Global demand for copper increases every year as it becomes an ever more essential material for renewable energy, transport, and telecommunication in the race towards net zero.
Oyu Tolgoi (OT) in the South Gobi region of Mongolia is an important supplier for this demand, as one of the largest known copper and gold deposits in the world.
Since open pit mining began at OT in August 2011, this remote corner of the Gobi Desert has developed into one of the most modern, safe and sustainable mining operations in the world.
We’ve achieved a lot at OT over the last decade, although there is always more we can do to produce these essential materials in the right ways, creating a positive legacy as we work hand-in-hand with communities, governments, suppliers and partners.
Building on the knowledge we’ve gained in this time, we are now finishing construction of a world-class underground mine at the site.
OT will be the fourth-largest copper mine in the world when complete, and will use some of the most complex mining techniques in the world to reach valuable deposits of copper and gold buried deep in the Earth.
The commencement of Oyu Tolgoi underground mining operations demonstrates to the world that Mongolia can work together with investors in a sustainable manner and become a trusted partner.”
- Luvsannamsrain Oyun-Erdene, the Prime Minister of Mongolia
Given its significance for the global copper industry, and to ensure we make a positive mark by continuing to contribute to Mongolia’s prosperity, we’re carefully planning the new mine to remain a sustainable asset for many decades to come.
And as we hit this decade milestone and look towards an exciting future, we’re also taking a moment to reflect on some of the ways we’ve been working to leave a lighter environmental footprint while creating a positive legacy for the people we work with.