One feature of this year was that we gave the selected students the opportunity to see the Ukhaa Khudag branch and granted 10 students the right to complete an industrial internship. We organised the mine visit on 20–22 June, and during the trip the students saw all of Energy Resources LLC’s development — not only the Ukhaa Khudag mine but also the coal washing plant, the reservoir, the shelter belt, the Tsetsii district, the Gobi road, the Gallery camp and the Muruudul kindergarten and school. All our students took an active part in the trip and came away satisfied. Here we share the impressions of one of them.

On the morning of 20 June 2012 I got up very early, checked what I had prepared the day before and left home. The Ulaanbaatar Hotel is close to us, so there was no great rush. As I had never been to the Gobi before, I was very curious. My idea of the Gobi was sand and lizards. I did not know how far or how long we would travel, but I set off without hesitation. At first, as we were only seeing each other for the third time, we were a little reserved and formal. Of course, being young, we did not stay quiet for long and began playing games to learn each other’s names. We were divided between two buses, and there were not many students on ours. At first I mixed up their names, but now I can say each person’s name and nickname just by looking at them, which shows how close we became. It is worth noting too that the journey was great fun. After almost 12 hours we reached our destination. From the entrance onwards, it was obvious that supervision and organisation were of a high standard. Everyone has to keep strictly to the timetable, and I found it truly remarkable that in the Gobi all human needs were fully met. The first day passed quietly. Early the next morning we were to see the Ukhaa Khudag development, so we prepared our protective clothing and equipment, were briefed on the safety rules and set off on the tour. Personally I think companies working in mining and construction should observe occupational safety and labour protection very strictly, and it always seemed a shame to me that the companies I knew did not really do so — but at Energy Resources it was the opposite: everything was presented responsibly. Of the places we visited, the most interesting to me was the Ukhaa Khudag Water Supply facility. I will not hide that I was puzzled at first when I saw the abbreviation UKWS in the tour programme. The most pressing issue in the Gobi region is undoubtedly water supply. Not only in the Gobi but worldwide, fresh water resources are dwindling and ways of using water sparingly are being sought. Along with its own water supply, the company has solved the water needs of Tsogttsetsii soum. For Ukhaa Khudag it is truly remarkable that it has had such a positive effect on infrastructure. That the facilities here each develop while supporting one another is a simple yet great idea. I cannot fail to mention how pleased I was to see the Muruudul school built in Tsogttsetsii soum out of a sense of social responsibility. There is much more to praise if I go on listing. The greatest gift I received from you all on this trip was respect and friendship. My thanks once again to the brothers and sisters of the Human Resources Department of Energy Resources LLC who travelled with us. I am confident that together we will do and build even more in future.

With respect: A. Nomintsatsral, student of the School of Geology and Mining, MUST