Ulaanbaatar /MONTSAME/ Oyu Tolgoi’s Underground Development Supplier forum, a major event designed to bring together domestic and international suppliers, was held on Wednesday. The news was published Friday on the OT’s website.

The event, which aimed to provide potential suppliers with information about the development of the underground mine, saw strong interest, with approximately 600 Mongolian and international businesses--translating to over 1,200 attendees - taking part.

OT president and CEO Mr Andrew Woodley, said,"The Forum is an important milestone and major step forward towards the development of the OT underground mine. We are on a journey to unlock 80 per cent of OT’s value, which will require strong partnerships and real commitment to build such a complex project. We are delighted with the marked enthusiasm from the 600 companies in attendance today, and this forum has created opportunities for greater collaboration between international and Mongolian companies, leveraging global expertise to build local excellence.”

Erdenes Mongol CEO, and non-executive Board Director of OT Byambasaikhan Bayanjargal, said," OT is on a journey to build a safe, sustainable and efficient world class business. OT has set a world-class standard in safety, environmental performance, tax payments, and investments in the social and education sectors. “In order for OT to further succeed, we need support and participation from all suppliers. I appeal to them all to build efficient businesses and contribute to OT.”

The event highlighted 16 categories of supplies and services required for the project: Bulk materials; Electrical and Telecommunications; Freight and Logistics; Pipes and Pumps; Underground Refuge; Ventilation; Construction and Civil Works; Fire services; Fuel systems; Process and Materials infrastructure; Site services; Drilling; Underground mining fleet; Ground support; Professional services; and Steel.

Specialist suppliers from Mongolia and 28 countries accessed information on the areas relevant to them, while also understanding the key principles behind working with OT, including safety, compliance, and efficiency.

In addition to representatives of some 600 Mongolian and international businesses, the event was attended by Rio Tinto and OT senior management, and Erdenes OT CEO Da.Ganbold.

Government and local authority representatives included the Prime Minister’s office, Mining, Road and Transport, Industry, and Foreign Affairs Ministries, Invest Mongolia, and representatives of Khanbogd soum.

Ambassadors and diplomatic representatives from Australia, Canada, Czech Republic, India, Japan, the Netherlands, South Korea, the UK, and the US were also in attendance, along with international financial institutions including the International Financial Corporation, European Bank of Reconstruction and Development, and the International Monetary Fund.