On April 9, the Mongolian National Mining Association (MNMA) held a consultation meeting with its member companies to discuss the International Standard for Responsible Mining under the framework of the Toward Sustainable Mining (TSM) initiative.
The consultation focused on the Environmental Protection Protocols of the TSM international standard, an initiative originally developed by the Mining Association of Canada, which aims to enhance environmental and social performance in the mining industry. TSM has been adopted in several countries worldwide, including Finland, Argentina, the Philippines and Botswana, and is increasingly gaining traction in Mongolia.
CEO of the MNMA G.Erdenetuya officially introduced the TSM standard during the session. Her presentation highlighted the growing importance of responsible mining and emphasized the need for Mongolia’s mining sector to adhere to global standards in order to ensure sustainability, attract investment and protect local ecosystems and communities.
“We must not only meet the expectations of international investors but also fulfill our responsibility to the environment and the people of Mongolia. The TSM framework is an important tool that can guide our companies toward safer, more responsible practices,” she underlined.
The TSM standard includes several environmental performance indicators, four of which were the focus of this consultation. First, the Water Stewardship Protocol sets benchmarks for sustainable water use, including monitoring, recycling and impact mitigation. G.Erdenetuya detailed how this standard can help Mongolian mines improve water efficiency and reduce risks related to water scarcity and community relations. The Biodiversity Conservation Management Protocol was also presented by G.Erdenetuya. This outlines strategies to minimize ecological disruption and safeguard native species and habitats. Environmental advisor of the MNMA Ts.Batjargal delivered an expert presentation on the Tailings Management Protocol, emphasizing the need for robust tailings storage facilities and risk assessment measures. Tailings, a byproduct of mining operations, can pose severe environmental hazards if mismanaged, as demonstrated by recent international incidents. Moreover, MNMA’s Operations Manager B.Sarantsatsralt addressed the role of mining operations in greenhouse gas emissions and outlined how companies can measure, report and reduce their carbon footprints. The protocol also encourages the integration of climate risks into business planning.
Participants at the meeting also discussed challenges and strategies related to aligning TSM protocols with existing Mongolian laws and regulations. The meeting covered the translation of key documents, as well as the need to develop a shared understanding of technical terms to ensure accurate application of the standards. MNMA emphasized the importance of inter-agency collaboration, noting that successful implementation of TSM will require coordination with the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, the Ministry of Mining and Heavy Industry, and local government bodies.
