Construction is continuing at the joint Ivanhoe Mines-Rio Tinto Oyu Tolgoi copper and gold project in Mongolia.

Work has focussed on the sinking of Shaft No 1, the pre-sinking of Shaft No 2, excavation for the concentrator building and enlargement of the construction camp facilities.

Shaft No 1, the first deep underground development project of its type in Mongolia, is expected to be completed in October. With a planned depth of more than 1300 metres, will allow for additional exploration of the Oyu Tolgoi high-grade underground deposits and also will provide initial production, and ultimately ventilation, to the underground mine.

The expected completion of Shaft No 1, together with the horizontal exploration tunnels, will provide access to the Hugo Deposit, enabling completion of the geotechnical assessment that is required to advance the underground deposit to a feasibility level.

Shaft No 2 is planned to be the initial primary underground production and service shaft at Oyu Tolgoi.