Set in a valley with wooded hills on either side lies the mining city of Erdenet, also known as “Brezhnev’s Gift”. Originally built in the 1970s, it has since flourished

Zorigt Gursed, Deputy Governor of Erdenet City, who was born and raised in the city of Erdenet, talks about the original plan for the city and how it has evolved, how the city is diversifying away from a dependence on the mine, and what Erdenet needs most.

How did Erdenet city come to be and how has it been developed since its foundation 30 years ago?

Before the mining started, a small village was established in 1976. Two years later the mine opened. The plan was for 7,000 or 8,000 miners to live there with their families. Originally the city was built to accommodate 40,000 or 50,000 people. Today it is the second largest city in Mongolia with more than 75,000 inhabitants. There are also more than 1,300 companies operating in the city, both big and small enterprises.

The initial plan was for 8,000 miners to live in Erdenet with their families. Today it is the second largest city in all of Mongolia with more than 75,000 inhabitants

What is the philosophy behind the mine and its operations?

The Erdenet Mining Corporation’s (EMC) main policy has been to adopt new technology which allows us to spend less and produce more. The mine has been producing and exporting copper concentrate for 28 years. Our main goal is to develop our downstream manufacturing capabilities. For example, we are currently planning to establish a new factory that manufactures copper wires, but we are still in the negotiation stages, so nothing has been decided yet.

Since its foundation, the mine has created employment for so many families and given rise to the development of Mongolia’s second city. What challenges do you face as the mine’s lifespan approaches an end?

The mine has been operating for 28 years, and has played a vital role in the history of Mongolia. According to geological explorations, the lifespan of the mine is approximately 30 years, but there is always the possibility of extending the life of the mine by organizing more explorations in the area. However, we do have one major problem which is the water supply. We have been working with JICA, the Japan International Cooperation Agency, to explore options of finding water sources in the vicinity. We also need to invest in infrastructure – in water supply, plumbing systems, roads, and construction in general. As the city was initially built for 40,000 people, it now needs a water purifying plant and an effective recycling system. What we are lacking is sufficient funds, so we are looking to attract investment from abroad. Of course, the citizens of Erdenet would like the city to live on for 100 more years without the Erdenet Mining Corporation. If anything were to happen to the mine, if it exhausts its resources for example, people would find a way to survive. The mine will continue to function for at least another 30 years, and the EMC has access to the ore in the mountain of Erdenet, so there is a good chance its lifespan could be expanded even further.

What are your plans for addressing housing issues in Erdenet City?

In Erdenet, as only a portion of the population lives in apartment buildings, the rest live in the ger district. We would like to connect the ger district to the central water system, or move the people into apartment buildings. We would ultimately like to provide 5,000 families in Erdenet with modern accommodation.