Small-scale gold processing plant representatives visit in mercury-free processing facilities of planetGOLD Mongolia

The planetGOLD Mongolia project organized an experience-sharing training of the mercury-free processing system (MFPS) established by the project, on October 22, 2024, in Mandal soum, Selenge province, Mongolia for representatives from small-scale gold processing plants in Selenge, Khovd, Gobi-Altai, Bayankhongor, and Tuv provinces. 

During the training, participants received comprehensive insights into hard rock gold ore processing technologies, their strengths and weaknesses, and how these methods have been researched to suit the Mongolian context by the planetGOLD. The project team also provided detailed information on the selection process conducted among Mandal soum's processing plants, collaboration with chosen partnerships, and the entire installation and testing stages of the new technology. Challenges encountered throughout the project, including current issues related to processing plant operational permits and planetGOLD criteria, were also discussed.

After the training session, participants visited the “Shijir Khishig” partnership’s gold ore processing plant in Mandal soum, which was established under the project. Representatives exchanged experiences on establishing and operating their own processing plants, while receiving in-depth technical briefings on the equipment used at the project’s MFPSs. 

Additionally, attendees were given a virtual-reality tour of the MFPS in Tunkhel village, Mandal soum.

Mr. Ts. Sukhbaatar, head of the “Altain Tsonj Gobi” partnership from Altai soum, Khovd province, highlighted that “Seeing this MFPS, established under the project, has shown me its tremendous benefits for artisanal miners. With high ore recovery rates and advanced processing equipment, it significantly improves the livelihood of local miners. Moreover, the chemical-free technology installed here is environmentally sound, which is fantastic for the community in Mandal soum. I sincerely hope to see such great development in our province as well.”