2010年-世界发展银行全球_Mongolia___Southern_Gobi_Regional_Environmental_Assessment_92页_3mb

Southern Gobi Regional Environmental Assessment Summary

Core Content

The Southern Gobi Regional Environmental Assessment (REA) is a comprehensive study conducted by the World Bank, aimed at guiding the sustainable development of the Southern Gobi Region (SGR) in Mongolia. The study focuses on the environmental, social, and institutional challenges that arise from the rapid expansion of mining activities in the region, which are expected to drive significant development.

Main Objectives

• To evaluate the environmental impacts of two development scenarios: Base-case and High-case.
• To identify opportunities, constraints, and vulnerabilities of the SGR's natural systems.
• To provide recommendations for environmental and natural resource management in the context of mining expansion.

Key Development Scenarios

Base-Case Scenario

• Assumes continuation and expansion of existing mines.
• Includes new mines such as Oyu Tolgoi (copper and gold), Tavan Tolgoi (coal), and others.
• Ancillary developments include a coal-fired power plant, well fields, and housing for workers.
• Infrastructure includes improved roads and, later, rail lines to transport coal to China.

High-Case Scenario

• Builds on the base-case with additional mine expansions and new projects.
• Includes a copper-molybdenum mine at Tsagaan Suvarga, coalmines at Baruun Naran and Eldev, a mine-mouth power plant, uranium projects, and a large cement factory.
• Additional infrastructure includes rail connections to the Trans-Mongolia Railway and water pipelines from northern rivers.

Environmental Resources and Their Characteristics

Geology

• Rich in mineral resources such as coal, gold, copper, molybdenum, fluorite, and uranium.
• Abundant thermal coal reserves, which can support power generation for export to China.

Climate

• Characterized by extreme conditions: hot, dry summers and long, cold winters.
• Low precipitation, no perennial surface streams, high evaporation, and limited groundwater recharge.
• Climate change is expected to increase the frequency and severity of extreme weather events.

Hydrology

• Water is a critical constraint, with fossil groundwater being a nonrenewable resource.
• Mine dewatering significantly affects water availability, impacting springs, wells, and vegetation.
• There is a need for better groundwater management and data collection.

Soils

• Thin and not easily arable.
• Vulnerable to degradation due to vehicle traffic and livestock, especially goats.
• Pastureland is abundant but low in productivity, leading to herd rotation and natural limits on herd size.

Vegetation

• Desert and desert steppe vegetation supports semi-nomadic herding.
• Vegetation is sensitive to dust and water stress, and may be further degraded by mining and transport activities.

Wildlife

• The region is home to several rare and vulnerable species, including the Asiatic Wild Ass and black-tailed gazelle.
• Wildlife is affected by habitat fragmentation from transport infrastructure and mining activities.

Cultural and Physical Resources

• Includes important cultural sites and protected areas.
• Ecotourism is a potential opportunity, supported by the region's biodiversity.

Environmental Impacts

Base-Case Impacts

• Direct impacts: land conversion of 15,700 ha.
• Indirect impacts: mine dewatering affecting 31,400 ha, impacting vegetation and wildlife.
• Water consumption and waste generation increase significantly, with 2,500 m³/day of water use and 12.6 tons/day of solid waste.
• Coal transport contributes to air pollution, particularly in terms of particulate matter and nitrogen oxides.

High-Case Impacts

• Direct impacts: land conversion of 30,000 ha.
• Indirect impacts: mine dewatering affecting 62,800 ha, with more severe consequences.
• Water and energy demand are more than doubled, and the environmental burden is significantly increased.
• Transport infrastructure may lead to habitat fragmentation and increased wildlife mortality.

Institutional Arrangements

• Soum and Aimag Governments: Lacking capacity and preparedness for managing environmental impacts.
• Ministry of Nature, Environment, and Tourism (MNET): Primary authority for environmental management.
• Ministry of Roads, Transportation, Construction and Urban Development (MRTCUD): Responsible for transport infrastructure.
• State Specialized Inspection Agency (SSIA): Overseeing environmental compliance.
• Mining Companies and NGOs: Play a key role in project development and environmental monitoring.

Key Recommendations

• Strengthen institutional capacity for environmental management at all levels of government.
• Create new SGR institutions to address the growing environmental challenges.
• Develop standards and guidelines for environmental impact assessments (EIAs) and mine permits.
• Improve mine permit and EIA procedures to ensure environmental sustainability.
• Enhance data collection and analysis on groundwater resources to support informed planning.
• Implement dispersion modeling for power plants to prevent air quality degradation.
• Design and construct wildlife crossings to mitigate habitat fragmentation.
• Promote sustainable transport infrastructure with consideration for wildlife and local communities.
• Address solid waste and wastewater management to prevent pollution and health risks.
• Support induced development in soum centers while managing undesirable social impacts.

Conclusion

The Southern Gobi Region faces significant environmental and social challenges due to its rapid mining development. Sustainable management of natural resources, especially water, is critical. The REA highlights the need for integrated planning, improved institutional frameworks, and proactive mitigation measures to ensure that development in the SGR is environmentally and socially responsible.