62789 MONGOLIA Groundwater Assessment of the Southern Gobi Region April 2010 THE WORLD BANK © 2010 The International Bank for Reconstruction and Development / THE WORLD BANK 1818 H Street, NW Washington, DC 20433 USA April 2010 All rights reserved. This study was prepared by the Social, Environment and Rural Development Unit (EASER) of the East Asia and Pacific Region, and was funded by the World Bank's Netherlands-Mongolia Trust Fund for Environmental Reform. Social, environment and rural development issues are an integral part of the development challenge in the East Asia and Pacific (EAP) Region. The World Bank's Sustainable Development Strategy for the region provides the conceptual framework for setting priorities, strengthening the policy and institutional frameworks for sustainable development, and addressing key environmental, social and rural development challenges through projects, programs, policy dia- logue, non-lending services, and partnerships. The EASER Discussion Paper series provides a forum for discussion on good practices and policy issues within the development community and with client countries. The publication and primary data are available online at www.worldbank.org/mn and www.worldbank.org/nemo. Suggested citation: Tuinhof, A. and Buyanhisnig, N. 2010. Groundwater Assessment of the Southern Gobi Region. Mongolia Discussion Papers, East Asia and Pacific Sustainable Development Department. Washington, D.C.: World Bank. Contact details: Albert Tuinhof, Director, Acacia Water, Gouda, The Netherlands, Albert.Tuinhof@acaciawater.com Buyankhishig Nemer, Department of Hydrogeology and Geoecology, Mongolian University of Science and Technol- ogy, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, buya41@yahoo.com Cover photograph: Livestock trough of groundwater, Tony Whitten ___________________________________________________________________________________________ This volume is a product of the staff of the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development / The World Bank. The findings, interpretations, and conclusions expressed in this paper do not necessarily reflect the views of the Execu- tive Directors of The World Bank or the governments they represent. The World Bank does not guarantee the accuracy of the data included in this work. 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All other queries on rights and licenses, including subsidiary rights, should be addressed to the Office of the Publisher, The World Bank, 1818 H Street NW, Washington, DC 20433, USA, fax 202- 522-2422, e-mail pubrights@worldbank.org. Table of Contents Foreword. .................................................................................................................................. vii Acronyms and Abbreviations. ...................................................................................................... ix Acknowledgements. .................................................................................................................... xi Executive Summary.................................................................................................................... xiii 1. Water Resources and Management in Mongolia...................................................................1 General Features....................................................................................................................................1 Water Resources....................................................................................................................................3 Surface water ...............................................................................................................................3 Groundwater................................................................................................................................3 Water quality................................................................................................................................6 Water Use..............................................................................................................................................6 Drinking water supply. .................................................................................................................7 Agricultural water use...................................................................................................................8 Industrial and energy water use.....................................................................................................8 Other water uses. ..........................................................................................................................8 Summary. ....................................................................................................................................9 Water Institutions and Regulation.........................................................................................................9 Institutional framework.................................................................................................................9 Policies.......................................................................................................................................10 Laws .........................................................................................................................................11 Water Pricing......................................................................................................................................11 2. The South Gobi Region.......................................................................................................13 Physical Description............................................................................................................................13 Demography and Economic Development..........................................................................................14 Population..................................................................................................................................14 Economic development................................................................................................................14 Water Use and Water Supply...............................................................................................................15 Current water demand and use....................................................................................................15 Water supply infrastructure..........................................................................................................19 Future water demands.................................................................................................................19 iii Groundwater Assessment of the Southern Gobi Region 3. Groundwater Occurrence and Potential. ..........................................................................23 Groundwater Occurrence: Explanation and Terminology....................................................................23 Aquifers......................................................................................................................................23 Fossil or non-renewable groundwater. ..........................................................................................24 Geology...............................................................................................................................................24 Aquifer systems in the SGR................................................................................................................25 Aquifer productivity....................................................................................................................25 Aquifer continuity. ....................................................................................................................26 Recharged aquifers and fossil aquifers...........................................................................................26 Groundwater Recharge........................................................................................................................27 Impacts of Climate Change on Groundwater Recharge.......................................................................28 Investigations..............................................................................................................................28 Groundwater reserve and potential estimations.............................................................................30 Groundwater Quality..........................................................................................................................31 4. Groundwater Development and Management.....................................................................35 Groundwater Potential Versus Demands.............................................................................................35 Regional Groundwater Assessment......................................................................................................35 Institutional and Governance Challenges............................................................................................36 5. Long Distance Water Conveyance.......................................................................................39 The Projects. ........................................................................................................................................39 Feasibility Issues..................................................................................................................................40 6. Matching Demands with Available Resources.....................................................................43 Long Distance Conveyance Versus Groundwater.................................................................................43 Cost of Groundwater Development and Long-distance Conveyance...................................................44 Possible Scenarios................................................................................................................................46 Water demands...........................................................................................................................46 Groundwater..............................................................................................................................47 Surface water..............................................................................................................................47 Institutional, Regulatory, and Capacity-building Aspects.....................................................................47 Groundwater management structure in the SGR. .........................................................................47 Linking the regional and the national level...................................................................................48 Capacity building in groundwater resource assessment and management........................................48 Short-term Priorities (Phase 1)............................................................................................................48 Priorities (Phase 2)..............................................................................................................................49 8. References and Other Resources.........................................................................................51 Annexes Annex A. Report of the Field Visit to Southern Mongolia...................................................................55 Annex B. Water Balance Parameters....................................................................................................65 Annex C. Government Agencies Involved in Water Management and Regulation...............................67 Annex D. Rainfall Data Dalanzadgad, Mandalgobi and Sainshand 1970–2002. ..................................71 Annex E. Aquifer Classification in the SGR (Jadambaa, 2007)............................................................75 Annex F. Groundwater Studies in the SGR. .........................................................................................77 iv Table of Contents List of figures Figure 1. General location map.............................................................................................................2 Figure 2. Aimags of Mongolia...............................................................................................................3 Figure 3. Location map of groundwater assessment studies....................................................................5 Figure 4. Structure of the key water management agencies..................................................................10 Figure 5. South Gobi Region location map.........................................................................................13 Figure 6. Mining locations in Dalanzadgad region (Energy Economist, 2006). ....................................17 Figure 7. Typical design of abstraction wells........................................................................................20 Figure 8. Typical groundwater cycle in arid region underlain by major aquifers...................................23 Figure 9. Regional tectonic units of Mongolia (Tumurtogoo, 1996)....................................................25 Figure 10. The Gunii Holoi groundwater deposit (aquifer) ad surrounding granite.............................26 Figure 11. Groundwater recharge versus annual rainfall.......................................................................28 Figure 12. Location of main groundwater investigations in the SGR (Annex 6). ..................................29 Figure 13. TDS-Chloride relation from chemical analyses of groundwater samples.............................33 Figure 14. Priority area for groundwater assessment and planning.......................................................36 Figure 15. Layout of the Herlen-Gobi and Orhon-Gobi project..........................................................40 List of tables Table 1. High and low temperature for different regions (NWC, 2008)................................................2 Table 2. Result of surface water state inventory (2003)..........................................................................4 Table 3. Summary of water resources assessment studies (NWC, 2008). ................................................5 Table 4. Summary of surface water quality............................................................................................6 Table 5 Summary of average groundwater quality parameters (NWC, 2008). ........................................7 Table 6. Total drinking water consumption in Mongolia, 2005 data (NWC, 2008)..............................7 Table 7. Total annual water use of Mongolia, based on 2005/2006 data (NWC, 2008).........................9 Table 8. Service fee tariff (in togrogs/m3) for drinking in Ulaanbaatar city (2007)...............................11 Table 9. Water use fee tariffs (in 2006)................................................................................................12 Table 10. Rainfall figures Dalanzadgad, Mandalgobi and Sainshand (1970–2002)..............................14 Table 11. Population figures 2004 and 2007.......................................................................................14 Table 12. Water use in the Aimag capitals. ...........................................................................................15 Table 13. Animal water use.................................................................................................................16 Table 14. Mines water demands in the SGR (Jadambaa, 2007)...........................................................16 Table 15. Key figures on coal mining in the SGR................................................................................18 Table 16. Type and number of wells and estimated abstraction rates (JICA, 2003)..............................21 Table 17. Estimated current and future water demands.......................................................................22 Table 18. Number of formations for different productivity classes.......................................................26 Table 19. Estimated groundwater potential by Jadambaa (2007).........................................................31 Table 20. Estimated groundwater potential.........................................................................................32 Table 21. Salinity classes of water........................................................................................................32 Table 22. TDS values in groundwater in de SGR (JICA, 2003)...........................................................33 Table 23. Design water demands 2020 (l/sec)......................................................................................41 Table 24. Comparison of groundwater and surface supply systems......................................................44 Table 25. Cost estimate of groundwater supply...................................................................................45 v Foreword T his report joins the series of reports in the groundwater levels above them. The report that have been prepared by the World proposes practical steps by which water resources Bank, with the strong support of vari- development and management could be managed ous partners—most notably the Gov- to best serve economic and infrastructure develop- ernment of the Netherlands through its NEMO ment while giving attention to environmental pro- program—on the Southern Gobi Region (SGR). tection and service to communities in the SGR. This report focuses on one the most critical issues for the SGR: groundwater resources. This is a criti- The report also highlights the urgent need for cal issue because rainfall and surface water avail- more data. A more detailed picture of the distribu- ability are so severely limited and the demands are tion and quantity of the groundwater would give expected to increase rapidly with the development planners first, a better idea of both the limits to of mining and new population centers. Water is the growth of the SGR; and, second, of the future the fundamental constraint to development in the water demands, its spatial distribution, quality region and yet its distribution and quantity are requirements, and the possibilities to increase poorly known. water use efficiency and water re-use. Thus there is a need to bring all information and data together The report looks critically at the water re- to form the basis for rational planning. sources and the current and projected future water demands in the SGR using the widely dispersed We hope to use the findings and recommen- data and information that are currently available. dations of this report in the continued dialogue An important conclusion of the report is that with the Government of Mongolia and a broad almost all the significant sources of groundwater range of stakeholders. We also hope that this in the SGR are ‘fossil’ or ‘non-renewable’, mean- report will increase awareness of the need for any ing that they are finite resources which cannot be long-term development plans, especially for mines, replenished. Not only that, but pumping water to be undertaken in full knowledge of the peculiar out of these fosil aquifers will tend to cause a drop characteristics of groundwater in the SGR. Ede Ijjasz-Vasquez Arshad Sayed Sector Manager for Sustainable Development Mongolia Resident Representative and The World Bank, Beijing Country Manager The World Bank, Ulaanbaatar vii Acronyms and Abbreviations ADB Asian Development Bank BGR Bundesanstalt fur geo Wissenschaften BOT Build-operate-transfer CWWTP Central Waste Water Treatment Plant EIA Environmental Impact Assessment GDP Gross National Product GIC Geological Information Centre GWMATE Groundwater Management Advisory Team IAH International Association of Hydrogeologists IGMR Institute for Geology and Mineral Resources IPPC Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change IWRM Integrated Water Resources Management IWER Institute of Water Exploratory Research JICA Japan International Cooperation Agency LCD Liter per Capita per Day MCUD Ministry of Construction and Urban Development MDG Millennium Development Goals MEGM Ministry of Geology, Energy and Mining mg/l Milligram per Liter MH Ministry of Health MNET Ministry of Nature, Environment and Tourism (previously Ministry of Nature and Environment (MNE) MoUB Municipality of Ulaanbaatar MOFE Ministry of Fuel and Energy MOI Ministry of Infrastructure ix Groundwater Assessment of the Southern Gobi Region MRTT Ministry of Road, Transport, and Tourism MW Mega Watt NEMO2 Netherlands-Mongolia Trust Fund for Environmental Reform NWC National Water Committee PPM Parts per million REA Regional Environmental Assessment RDS Regional; Development Strategy SGR Southern Gobi Region SGRDP Southern Gobi Regional Development Plan TDEM Time Domain Electro Magnetics TDS Total Dissolved Solids ToR Terms of References Tpd Tons per day Tpy Ton per year USUG Water Supply and Sewerage Authority WA Water Authority WRM Water Resources Management x Acknowledgements T his report on Groundwater in the Badarch and other staff of the World Bank Office South Gobi Region is prepared as in Ulaanbaatar for their hospitality and assistance part of the World Bank support to the throughout the missions, to Tony Whitten, Judith Regional Environmental Assessment Schleicher and Neelesh Shrestha of the World (REA) for the Gobi Region and to provide inputs Bank in Washington DC for their continuous to the Government’s Gobi Regional Development efforts in editing and correcting this report, and Strategy RDS and the Integrated South Gobi to the various government and World Bank peer Regional Development Plan (SGRDP). The work reviewers. We also would like to thank the many was carried in 2008 and 2009 by Albert Tuinhof of Mongolian experts and agencies for the fruitful Acacia Water /GWMATE and Dr. Buyankhishig and inspiring conservations and the data and infor- Nemer of Ulaanbaatar University. Most of other mation they made available to us. A special word work was carried out during two visits of Albert of thank goes to Dr N. Jadambaa of Ulaanbaatar Tuinhof to Mongolia in 2008, including a 5 day University who made ample time available to share field visit to South Gobi Region. They would like with us his broad and in depth knowledge of the to express their sincere thanks Enkhtsetseg Ayur complex groundwater situation in the South Gobi (Project Coordinator, NEMO-II), Erdene-Ochir Region. xi Executive Summary T he Gobi Region is vast and sparsely Water Demands in the SGR populated with few transport links but with enormous mineral wealth, The SGR occupies about 350,000 square kilome- including large coal and major cop- ters (km2) covering broadly the area of the three per deposits. The economic development of aimags of Dornogovi, Dundgovi, and Umnogovi the Southern Gobi Region (SGR) is a priority and has a population of only 150,000 (2007 data). for the Government of Mongolia. The World Livestock farming has been the main economic Bank is providing support to the Gobi Re- activity for a long time, but the economic devel- gional Development Strategy (RDS) through opment of the SGR is expected to grow rapidly the preparation of a Regional Environmental in the near future, with its foundation being the Assessment (REA) for the Gobi Region and an planned development of coal and gold mines. Integrated South Gobi Regional Development Plan (SGRDP). Water is one the important The current water demand for domestic uses resources since rainfall and surface water avail- (rural and urban) is approximately 10,000 cubic ability are limited. meters per day (m3/day) and 32,000 m3/day for livestock water supply. The main water use in the This report serves as a background document SGR is from the mining sector and in particular for the RDS, REA, and SGRDP and describes from the 4 main mining areas: Tsagaan Suvraga the current and future water resources and water (copper), Oyu Tolgoi (copper/gold), Shivee Ovoo demands in the Southern Gobi Region. It is based (coal), and the coal mines in the area around on available data and information and proposes Dalanzadgad (Tavan Tolgoi, Ovoot Tolgoi, Nariin a way forward to assure that water resources Sukhait/Ovoot Tolgoi). The current operational development and management can support the mines in Tsagaan Suvraga, Shivee Ovoo, and other economic and infrastructural development and coal mines around Dalanzadgad have an estimated environmental protection. water demand of 40,000 m3/day. This demand is expected to grow sharply under ongoing and Water resources development in the SGR is planned mining developments and may reach part of the national water resources strategy and 300,000 m3/day in 2020. its management is embedded in national legisla- tion and regulation, institutional framework, and The main part of the mine water demand is human resource capacity. The report therefore for processing of the raw material (concentration includes a section on the national water resources of copper/gold and washing of coal), dust sup- and water demand in Mongolia. pression, and power generation. These uses have xiii Groundwater Assessment of the Southern Gobi Region variable water quality requirements, which are less water of 50–100 meters. The lower range of 200 strict than the smaller portion of the water that million m3/year is equal to 550,000 m3/day and has to meet drinking water standards. leads to the conclusion that the groundwater po- tential for the SGR as whole is sufficient to cover Mine development will trigger population the water demands in the next 10–12 years. increases and industrial, commercial, and agricul- tural development in the area around the mines The main groundwater quality concern is the that also contribute to an increased water demand. salinity along with the occasional occurrence of A reliable estimate of the future water demands trace elements like arsenic and fluoride. Water for is difficult to make given the uncertainties in the domestic purposes will generally need some form economic and demographic development plan- of treatment. Most of the water demand concerns ning. A preliminary estimate gives a total water industrial water, which has variable water quality demand in 2020 of 400,000–450,000 m3/year of requirements and a higher economic value, allow- which 300,000 m3/year goes for mining. ing for investments in treatment if needed. Estimated Groundwater Resources Regional Groundwater Assessment Groundwater is the main source of water in the Meeting water demands with groundwater SGR. Almost all of this groundwater is fossil, resources requires a more detailed picture of the which means that it receives little or zero recharge. spatial (and vertical) distribution of the groundwa- The only recharge in the SGR comes from the ter (quantity and quality) and of the future water limited rainfall—an average of 115–150 mm/ demands, its spatial distribution, quality require- year—and that recharge is estimated to be just 1 ments, and the possibilities to increase water use mm/year. Most of this water circulates in the up- efficiency and water re-use. per streambed aquifers (0–20 meters) and a small portion percolates to the shallow aquifers (20–50 A regional groundwater assessment study is meters) and possibly to the deeper aquifers (below needed to bring all information and data together, 50 meters). prepare an aggregated overview of the current groundwater potential, define information gaps, The deeper aquifers are permeable (produc- coordinate additional investigations and studies as tive) rocks (mainly sandstones) surrounded and the basis for regional groundwater development overlain by less permeable deposits and contain and management plans. Although needed for mainly fossil water. These local aquifers have a the whole Southern Gobi, this assessment study limited spatial (less than 500 km2) and vertical should initially focus on the area around Dalan- (less than 50–100 meters) extension and are (semi) zadgad where the main mining developments are confined, which means that the groundwater is planned. Additional groundwater resources may under pressure. Pumping from these fossil aquifers be confirmed in this area through the following: will drain the layers above the aquifer and cause a lowering of the groundwater table. If pumping OO Review of groundwater assessment studies further continues, the aquifer itself will start to done in area in the last decades, providing be emptied. The groundwater potential in these a more accurate estimate of the potential of aquifers is therefore directly linked to the selected these aquifers; time period (number of years) and an accepted OO Exploration studies in potential new sites that lowering of the water table. can be explored for the presence of suitable aquifers, especially at a depth greater than 150 Estimates of the groundwater potential vary meters, and between 200–500 million m3/per year assuming a OO Detailed study of the recharge from rainfall to 25–40-year period and a lowering of the ground- the streambed aquifers and shallow groundwa- xiv Executive Summary ter to explore ways to increase the utilization for decision-making. A comparative analysis is of this renewable resource. presented in this report showing the advantages and disadvantages of both options. A preliminary Surface Water Conveyance cost comparison shows that groundwater supply is about 50 percent cheaper than surface water sup- There are two existing plans to convey surface ply but is likely to have some higher operation and water to the SGR: the Herlen-Gobi Pipeline maintenance costs. project and the Orhon-Gobi Pipeline project. The Herlen-Gobi Pipeline will convey 1,500 l/sec from the Herlen River through a 540 km-long pipeline Institutional, Regulatory, and to Shivee Ovoo, Sainshand, and Zamin-Udd with Capacity Building Aspects a side branch to Tsagaan Suvraga. The Orhon-Go- bi Pipeline will pump 2500 l/sec from the Orhon The study concludes that a Southern Gobi River through a 740 km-long pipeline to Tavan Groundwater Management and Information Tolgoi and Oyo Tolgoi with side branches to Man- Center (SGR-GMIC) is needed to implement the dalgobi and Dalanzadgad. About 50 percent of SGR groundwater assessment study. The SGR- the water is for mining and industrial clients and GMIC should operate under the Water Authority 30 percent for irrigated agriculture. The remaining but be shared by the different ministries involved water is for domestic and livestock water supply and other institutions in the country where and for non specified environmental uses groundwater knowledge and information is avail- able. The plan is still at pre-feasibility level and needs further study and analysis to answer some This SGR-GMIC can act as the focal point critical questions on the socio-economic, financial for groundwater management, monitoring, and and environmental feasibility. regulation and can coordinate studies and inves- tigations that will be needed to update and refine the groundwater potential and to develop guide- Comparing Surface and lines for its sustainable allocation and use. This Groundwater will also ensure that groundwater is presented as a single resource and as such facilitate the process Comparing groundwater development and long- of further decision making on future water supply distance surface water conveyance is not a straight- investments. A strong linkage with the national forward exercise because of the different nature level and a human resources capacity-building between decentralized groundwater supply systems component will be important factors for SGR- and a central surface water pipeline. It should GMIC success. further be noted that the surface water conveyance option is in fact a conjunctive use option since it will not replace current groundwater use, and Way forward: scenario approach further groundwater development would also be needed to supply the areas outside the reach of Given the uncertainties in demand projections the pipelines or as a backup for the surface water and groundwater or surface supply options, system. the best way forward is to develop short- and medium-term scenarios for matching supply and There is still a lack of information to con- demand and update them on a regular basis when duct a conclusive feasibility study as a basis new information becomes available. xv 1. Water Resources and Management in Mongolia T his report provides an overview of This section is mainly derived from the first the water resources in the SGR and National Report on Water Resource, Use and the options and conditions for its Conservation. This 2008 report summarized the sustainable development and manage- water resources in Mongolia, with Mongolian ment. This report supported the preparation of scientists and experts covering multiple top- the Regional Environmental Assessment (REA) ics including groundwater, surface water, water (Walton, 2010) and the draft SGR Infrastructure quality, land use, mining, pasture irrigation, Strategy (World Bank, 2009) intended to provide and climate change. Published by the National inputs to the Government of Mongolia’s Gobi Water Committee under the Ministry of Nature Regional Development Strategy (RDS), which is and Environment (MNET), this national report under preparation. was produced during the inception phase of the project “Strengthening Integrated Water Resource The intended audience is primarily Parliament Management in Mongolia”, and funded by the and those government entities concerned with Government of the Netherlands. SGR development. The focus of the report is con- sistent with (a) the Government’s 2003 Regional Development Strategy, which identified the Gobi General Features Region as one of the priorities to ensure sustain- ability of the country’s economic growth; (b) the The Mongolia’s Gobi Region is enormous, sparsely second objective of the Mongolia Country As- populated, richly endowed with mineral wealth, sistance Strategy 2004-2007 (World Bank, 2004), served by few transport links, home to many wide- which states “addressing growing equity concerns ranging threatened species, and suffering from a and reducing rural and urban vulnerabilities decrease in rainfall and water availability. through improved environmental governance and management, and analysis of viability of options Mongolia is located inland in Northeast Cen- to support regional development objectives”, and tral Asia, between China and Russia. It forms the (c) the Bank’s planned Integrated Southern Gobi transition zone between the great Siberian taiga and Regional Development Plan (SGRDP), which the Central Asian desert. Forests cover is limited to will cover the development impacts from min- the Khangai, Khuvsgul, and Khentii mountainous eral development. Water resources are one of the regions in the north, while bluffs are found in the important issues addressed in the REA, RDS, and Mongolian Altai and Gobi Altai mountains. High SGRDP. plateaus of the Gobi Desert and steppes cover the 1 Groundwater Assessment of the Southern Gobi Region eastern and southern areas. The total territory of ing in the summer. The precipitation on average Mongolia is 1,564,000 km2 and the average eleva- is about 300–350 millimeters (mm) in Khan- tion is 1,580 meters above sea level with a maxi- gai, Khentii, and Khuvsugul mountain ranges; mum elevation of 4,000 above mean sea level in the 250–300 mm in Mongol Altai and forested areas, Western mountain ranges (Figure 1). and 50–150 mm in Gobi Desert area. Due to its inland location and mountain- Traditionally, the main type of land use has ous surroundings, the Gobi Region has a climate been semi- nomadic livestock husbandry in conse- described as continental-harsh and arid. Important quence of the low precipitation. Presently agricul- characteristics of this climate are long winters, ture accounts for about 19 percent of the country’s short summers, large fluctuations of (daily and gross domestic product (GDP) and about 50 seasonal) temperatures (Table 1), and low distrib- percent of the workforce is involved in agriculture. uted precipitation with about 85 percent of it fall- However, Mongolia also has extensive mineral Figure 1. General location map Table 1. High and low temperature for different regions (NWC, 2008) Average coldest month Average warmest Region (January) (0C) Region month (July) (0C) Valleys between mountain –30 to –34 Great lake valley, Orhon and Seleng basin, +15 to +20 ranges Altai, Khangai, region between mountain ranges Altai, Khangai, Khentii and Khuvsgol Khentii and Khuvsgol High mountains –25 to –30 Khangai, Khentii and Kvusgol mountains +15 Steppe region –20 to –25 Southern part of Dornod steppe and Gobi Desert +20 to +25 Gobi Desert –15 to –20 Steppe and desert + 25 to + 30 2 Water Resources and Management in Mongolia deposits: copper, coal, molybdenum, tin, tungsten, of Mongolia are 40.1 km3, from this 29.2 km3 is and gold. In the past few years the mining indus- surface water and 10.9 km3 is groundwater. His as- try became the leading industry in the country. sessment slightly overestimated the water resources of Mongolia due to the lack of observation data Mongolia’s population is around 2.6 million and because the water balances were made over and the population density is only 1.8 persons per a large area. The book on surface water edited by square kilometer. Much of the population, around Davaa and Myagmarjav1999, estimated that the 1 million, lives in Ulaanbaatar, the capital of total resources of Mongolia are 599 km3 of which Mongolia. Mongolia is a unitary state and divided river water accounts for 34.6 km3. A summary of administratively into 21 aimags (provinces) and estimates is given in Table 3. a capital city (Figure 2). Aimags are subdivided into 340 soums, soums into bags, a capital into The surface waters in Mongolia are unevenly districts, and districts into khoroos. distributed over the country since 380 km3 of the total surface waters alone are stored in Lake Khu- vsugul, which comprises 63 percent of the surface Water Resources water of Mongolia and 75 percent of the fresh water. The high mountain ranges, which occupy Surface water 30 percent of the country’s territory, are the source for 70 percent of the surface water resources of The surface water resources of Mongolia com- Mongolia (Table 2). prise rivers, lakes, and glaciers. Many studies and surveys on the surface water resources have been conducted since the end of the 19th century. One Groundwater of the recent studies are those by J. Tserensodnom (2000) based on analyzing existing lake studies In 1958 the Russian scientist A.T. Ivanov esti- done in the 1970s. He estimated the total water mated for the first time in Mongolia the ground- resources of Mongolia—500 km3 of which 410 water resources over a total area of 1,000,000 km2 km3 is fresh water. According to the estimation of showing 5.58 km3 of water of which 0.6 km3 was A.F. Krashnikov in 1975, the river water resources available for utilization. Next, the Institute of Figure 2. Aimags of Mongolia 3 Groundwater Assessment of the Southern Gobi Region Water Exploratory Research (IWER) estimated baa and Tserenjav (2003) estimated the ground- the total groundwater resources in Mongolia at water resources that could be used for economic 12.93 km3 in 1973 and 6.88 km3 in 1975. Later, use of pastureland. Their estimation was based groundwater resources available for use were on a proposed distance between two water points estimated at 6.28 km3. More recently, Davaa and of 5–7 km in the whole territory of the country, Myagmarjav (1999) estimated the groundwater and it took into consideration different types of resources of Mongolia at about 12.0 km3. Jadam- water bearing rock formations and possible rates Table 2. Result of surface water state inventory (2003) Rivers, creeks Spring Mineral water Lakes, ponds Name of aimag Total Dried Total Dried Total Dried Total Dried Arkhangai 546 124 474 123 31 3 249 32 Bayan-Ulgii 293 17 736 42 13 1180 217 Bayankhongor 299 61 837 55 22 104 38 Bulgan 449 62 668 238 36 254 27 Gobi Altai 219 2 779 35 75 0 Gobi sumber 3 0 19 1 2 1 0 Darkhan Uul 21 4 27 13 4 2 Dornogovi 0 0 345 50 4 1 0 Dornod 156 39 354 121 24 515 233 Dundgovi 1 0 187 15 5 12 0 Zavkhan 217 19 444 18 15 118 2 Orkhon 5 0 28 7 4 1 Uberkhangai 294 51 530 97 37 3 110 20 Omnogovi 2 1 559 20 5 18 0 Sukhbaatar 35 22 368 41 6 55 4 Selenge 596 90 208 70 28 2 46 6 Tov 537 94 413 103 17 1 235 72 Ulaanbaatar 72 22 106 22 20 1 4 1 Uvs 183 0 493 31 16 121 6 Khovd 214 7 468 10 9 201 4 Khuvsugul 1233 70 969 193 78 642 30 Khenteii 246 17 588 179 6 247 65 Total country 5565 683 9600 1484 374 10 4193 760 4 Water Resources and Management in Mongolia of discharge They calculated the groundwater re- Hydro-geological research in Mongolia was sources at about 10.79 km3. Table 3 (in Jadambaa developed in four main stages: and Buyanhishig, 2007b) shows a summary of the various surface water and groundwater resources 1. A hydro-geological map, which covered the assessment studies in Mongolia. whole territory of Mongolia, was drawn, Table 3. Summary of water resources assessment studies (NWC, 2008) Groundwater resources (km3) Surface water resources (km3) Ice, Glacier No Total Availability Total River Lake River Source 1. 5.58 0.6 — — — — À.T. Ivanov, 1958 2. 12.9 — — — — — IWER, 1973 3. — 6.07 — 28.5 — — IWER, 1975 4. — — — 40.1 — — À.Ph. Krashnikov, 1975 5. 6.88 6.28 — — — — N.À. Marinov, 1977 6. 12.0 5.6 599 34.6 500 62.9 G. Davaa, B. Myagmarjav, 1999 7. — — — — 500 — J. Tserensodnom, 2000 8. — 10.79 — — — — N. Jadambaa, G. Tserenjav, 2003 Figure 3. Location map of groundwater assessment studies 5 Groundwater Assessment of the Southern Gobi Region followed by maps for selected regions (e.g., suitable for utilization by any economic sector of Gobi and Ulaanbaatar). the country (Table 4). 2. Groundwater exploration was conducted to satisfy livestock, irrigated crop and herders’ The mineralization of the main lakes shows a water demands and 125,000 boreholes were much wider variation. For example, water in Uvs drilled and over 40,000 wells were construct- Lake, Khyargas Lake, Khar Lake, Boontsagaan ed. Groundwater exploration was carried out Lake, Sangiin dalai Lake, Khukh Lake, and Oigon to estimate the available groundwater resourc- Lake has a mineralization of around 2,000–15,000 es for cities, towns, and industries, and for mg/l, while water in Khar Us Lake, Khuvsugul piped drinking water supply systems to towns Lake, Buir Lake, Tolbo Lake, Terkhiin Tsagaan and industries. Exploration has been carried Lake, and Khoton Lake has a mineralization of out for 133 potential groundwater reserves. 50–300 mg/l. An estimated 1.5 million m3/day of exploit- able resources were identified in these studies Groundwater quality per zone (Figure 4). Groundwater quality and chemical composition in 3. There is on-going research on the dewatering Mongolia is generally classified into four physical- of the mineral ore deposits and coal mines and geographical zones (Table 5) for the water supply to existing and new mines such Tavan Tolgoi and Oyu Tolgoi. The groundwater mineralization is below 4. A hydro-geological study of mineral springs 1,000 mg/l in most of country except for the Gobi was conducted. As a result of that research, Region where high TDS are found along with high five aquifers for hot spas and seven aquifers for levels of iron, arsenic, and other trace elements and cold spas were identified. heavy metals. Further details on the groundwater quality in the SGR are given in Chapter 2. Water quality Surface water quality per basin Water Use Surface water quality in the mountainous regions of Mongolia is fresh and soft and classified as The main water use sectors in Mongolia are hydrocarbon calcium water. Studies and analyses (a) drinking water, (b) agricultural water demand by the IWER Central Hydro Chemical Labora- (livestock and irrigation) and (c) industrial water. tory and other sources have determined that the Minor water use sectors are tourism, urban, green mineralization (total dissolved solids or TDS) of areas, and the ‘Green Wall’. Environmental water the river waters is 300–500 mg/l and is almost demands (base flow to rivers and wetlands, water Table 4. Summary of surface water quality TDS Hardness Region Rivers (+ tributaries) Mg/l pH Mg-eke/l Arctic Ocean Basin Selenge, Sishged Huremteier 50–300 7.4–8.3 2.3 Pacific Ocean Basin Onon, Ulz, Kherlen and Khalkh 120–300 2 Central Asian Internal Bulgan, Uench, Bodonch, Buyant, Khovd, 60–450 0.8–3.80 Drainage Basin Tsenkher, Tsagaan, Sagsai, and Sogoot 6 Water Resources and Management in Mongolia Table 5 Summary of average groundwater quality parameters (NWC, 2008) TDS Hardness Other Region Features Mg/l Mg-ekv/l Khangai–Khenti mountainous Mostly forest steppe 450 4.5 region Altai mountainous region Mongol Altai, Siilhem, Kharhiraa, Turgen 640 4.8 and Gobi-Altai mountains Mongolian Dornod steppe 950 5.6 High iron Gobi region Mainly steppes 1120 5.4 As, Fe, and others for wildlife, and water for greenbelts) are impor- (30 percent from a house or yard connection and tant functions but difficult to estimate due to lack 36 percent from public standpipes). The remain- of data and information. ing 34 percent got their water from non-piped water supply systems: 24 percent by water delivery trucks and 9 percent from natural springs, ponds, Drinking water supply snow and rivers (Table 6). These percentages have changed over the past few years due to rapid ur- By 2004, 66 percent of the Mongolian population banization and the building of over 10,000 apart- received water from a piped water supply system ments. The data in Table 6 show a large difference Table 6. Total drinking water consumption in Mongolia, 2005 data (NWC, 2008) Number of Average Total Type and source of consumers consumption consumption # supply (*1000) (l/day) (106 m3/yr) Involved areas 1 Central system 780 230 65.6 Apartments in central area 2 Water delivery unit 630 10 2.3 Ger districts in Ulaanbaatar city, cen- (kiosks, trucks) ters of provinces and sub provinces 3 Water transportation 917 9 3.0 Ger districts herders and local people service /track, pack animal/ 4 Rivers, springs, ponds 233 5 0.4 Local people and herders and ice/snow water 5 Total 2560 71.3 1. The water consumption in the settlements in the central area has been estimated based on the appointment # 153 by the Minister of Nature and Environ- ment in 1995. The consumption includes losses and leakages. 2. The source for the estimation of the daily water consumption in the settlements which is provided from the water delivery unit, rivers, springs, ice, snow, water and transportation water services is the “Access to water and sanitation services in Mongolia” (2004) joint study by the Government of Mongolia, UNDP, World Health Organization and UNICEF. 7 Groundwater Assessment of the Southern Gobi Region between the daily consumption from piped supply mining sector is missing, which makes it difficult and from non-piped supply sources. to prepare reliable estimates. At the moment, the largest water users are the 117 placer gold mines, and other larger mining companies like Erdenet, Agricultural water use Tomortei-Ovoo, Olon-Ovoot, and Boroo. Ac- cording to the Water Law, the mining industries Groundwater, surface water, snow and glacier are also responsible for establishing the water water are used for livestock water supply. By 2006 supply system for new cities or towns (sometimes the livestock population was 34.9 million head 30,000–60,000 dwellers) that accompany large- and their total water use was estimated at around scale mining operations. 80.0 million m3/year. By 2006, the annual water use by power Mongolia has always been a country of plants in Ulaanbaatar, Darkhan, and Erdenet nomadic herders and pastureland. Nevertheless, cities was 27 million m3 and about 80 million crop irrigation has been present in all stages of its m3 is used for hydropower generation. The total historical development. By 1990, crop irrigation capacity of the power plants is 830 megawatts was well developed. There were 45,000 hectares (MW), with 700 MW for Ulaanbaatar and 130 designated as irrigated areas, of which 16,000 MW for regional centers. Of this total capacity, hectares were irrigated with surface water. The 176 MW are imported from Russia. The con- estimated volume of water that was used to ir- tribution from hydropower—6 plants totaling rigate crops for the years 1989 to 2006, based on 3,428 kilowatts (kW)—is very low and marginal calculations of crop water use, shows an increase because the plants can be used only in the sum- by 13–16 percent in recent years and a total use of mer months. about 51-million m3 for the total irrigated area in 2006. Other water uses Industrial and energy water use Minor water demands come from tourism with 2 million m3/year (2005) estimated from the num- Previous estimates of the industrial water use give ber of tourists, their average stay, and their average a range of 99–115-million m3 in 1991–1993 of water consumption. which 53 percent was used for the mining sector, 33 percent for the manufacturing industrial sec- More important, but largely unknown, are tor, and 14 percent for the construction sector. the environmental water demands. Environmen- In 1995, the water use was estimated 108-mil- tal water demands are the water requirements to lion m3 of which 55 percent was used for mining maintain nature and environmental functions industries, 33 percent for manufacturing, and 12 such as the base flow to rivers, lakes, and wetlands, percent for construction industries. and water availability for natural vegetation, wild- life, and other ecological functions. These needs In 2006 the Water Authority gave permits are not easy to define but are generally less than to 143 mining companies to use a total of 143 the water that is actually allocated to the envi- million m3 water of which 94 million m3 was ronment. Also in the case of Mongolia, data and actually used. The amount of water extraction information on the environmental water demands approved by permits is not well defined. The and water use are lacking (MNE, 2007). The only volume of water consumption per year is deter- reported environmental water allocation is water mined through internal discussions. Sufficient for the green areas of the main cities and for the information about the technical condition of Green Wall national program that plants trees in the mining processes, available water resources the transitional zone of the Gobi desert and the and quality, as well as current water use in the steppe. 8 Water Resources and Management in Mongolia Summary At the central level is the National Water Committee (NWC). Established in 1999, the Table 7 shows the total estimated water use for all NWC co-ordinates between institutions in the sectors. water sector to implement the national water program (Figure 4). The NWC director is the The summary report of inception phase for government representative who is responsible for the Strengthening Integrated Water Resources environmental issues. The NWC responsibilities Management in Mongolia Project (MNE, 2007) and function are not clear due to lack of legisla- contains a summary table with all the water bal- tion. ance parameters derived from earlier studies, and provides a useful reference to the main water-relat- In the current institutional structure, many ed parameters in Mongolia. This summary can be institutions are involved in the water sector. The found in Annex B. central water supply organization is under the supervision of the Ministry of Construction and Urbanization. Irrigated crop, pastureland irriga- Water Institutions and Regulation tion, and livestock water supply policy is made by the Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Light Institutional framework Industry. Hydropower policy is carried out by the Ministry of Fuel and Energy. And public health is- Water issues come under the jurisdiction of sues are in the scope of the Ministry of Health. An the Ministry of Nature, and Environment and overview of the ministerial responsibilities is given Tourism (MNET). The Water Authority (under in the Annex C. MNET) is the main implementing agency of the Water Law (2004). In addition, there is a National In addition to the Government agencies Resource and Environmental Policy Coordination engaged in water resources development and man- Division within MNET. agement, universities, scientific institutes, and the private sector (consultancy firms and contractors) Table 7. Total annual water use of Mongolia, based on 2005/2006 data (NWC, 2008) Total water use # Sectors that use water (million m3) 1. Drinking water supply 71 2. Agricultural water supply Livestock 80 Crop irrigation 52 3. Industrial water supply Exploitation industry 36 Extractive mining industry 94 Energy production, Power plants 27 Hydro Power Plant 80 4. Tourism water supply (excl. spa resorts) 2 5. Green area <1 6. Water for nature and environmental functions p.m. Total: 443 9 Groundwater Assessment of the Southern Gobi Region Figure 4. Structure of the key water management agencies Mongolian Government National Water Committee Ministry of Nature and Environment Env. Policy Coordination Unit Director`s council Water Authority Science & tech.l council Department of administration Department of WR assessment and Department of water cadaster and cooperation river basin management are resources for good knowledge on water-related OO Enhance capacity building in the water sec- issues. tor, to provide specialized training, and to strengthen the relevant institutions. Policies The main program in the water sector is the National Water Program, 2000–2010, which was Although the organizational responsibilities at the adopted in 1999. Although the Government national level are formally established, a com- approved the program, the implementation is prehensive policy on water issues is still lacking. poor since the institutional structure is weak and Water resource management is the responsibility of adequate financial input is lacking. The program MNET and the protection of water, water resourc- document is also not specific, and programming es, and aquatic life leads the itinerary of government of activities is unclear. policy, aiming to meet the following objectives: The program was followed by an action plan OO Elaborate a national water resources man- —Water Renovation–XXI which looked forward to agement plan and to get approval from the 2025. Adopted in 2004, the document is mainly government and provide its implementation; an investment plan. It does not include an initial OO Develop a river basin management plan and to analysis that justifies the investment or an eco- establish River Basin Councils for large river nomic analysis for benefits and costs. The plan basins and appoint professional administration; mainly focuses on reservoirs and irrigation mea- OO Provide adequate water resources for drinking sures while, for example, projections of demand water use; and demand management are missing. OO Improve water supply for herders and live- stock; The new project Strengthening Integrated OO Assess the existing groundwater resources; Water Resource Management in Mongolia will ad- OO Intensify irrigated crop production; dress these issues and support the Government OO Assess the conjunctive use of groundwater and of Mongolia through the Water Authority in the surface water; following ways: OO Increase the use of hydropower; OO Enhance water use technology for the mining OO Capacity building in the field of integrated sector, and water resources management in Mongolia, 10 Water Resources and Management in Mongolia OO Preparation of a National Water Management 20 standards are in force in the water sector. The Plan, and overall set of laws and acts covers most of regula- OO Preparation of a River Basin Management tory issues related to water resources development Plan in a pilot basin. and management, but some laws overlap and some terminology often differs between laws. A harmo- Laws nization of current laws is considered an impor- tant objective. By 2007, the following water laws (including adopted years) were regulating the water sector of The main constraint lies in the implementa- Mongolia: tion and enforcement of the laws and regulation. One of the urgent needs is the development OO Law on Environmental Protection, 1995 (with and adaptation of relevant mandatory penalty amendments in 1998, 2002, 2003, and 2005); rates for pollution incidents or non-payment for OO Law on Water – revised and adopted in 2004; water use. OO Law on Water Supply and Sewerage Network Use in Cities and Settlements – 2002 (with an amendment in January 2005). Water Pricing OO Law on Hydrology, Meteorology and Research Monitoring – 1997 (with amendment in Janu- Water fees are regulated by two laws: the Law ary 2003); on Water and Mineral Springs Use Fees (1995, OO Law on Water and Mnieral Springs Use Fees, revised in 2004) and the Law on the Amount 1995 (with amendment in December 2004); of Expenditure for the Measures to Protect the OO Law on Mineral Springs, 2003; Environment and to Restore Natural Resources. OO Law on Navigation, 2003 (with amendment These laws face difficulties with implementation in January 2005); and enforcement, but both provide the legal basis OO Law on Amount of Expenditures for the to charge a service fee for domestic water supply Measures to Protect the Environment and (Table 8) and a water use fee for industrial water to Restore the Natural Resources Out of the supply (Table 9). Water use in the energy sector, Funds, 2000. for crop production, for livestock and herders water supply (outside the town centers), and for Besides the above water laws, the Government domestic water consumption are excepted from has issued over 20 acts and regulations, and over the water use fee. Table 8. Service fee tariff (in togrogs/m3) for drinking in Ulaanbaatar city (2007) # Type of service Service fee Note 1. Piped water (Ulaanbaatar): • Office 367 The appointment # 2 by the director of • Apartment/Houses 189.0 USUG /January 16, 2007/ 3. Water delivery kiosks and pipeline wells: 1000 The appointment # 90 by the director of • dwellers in ger districts USUG /April 12, 2007/ • office buildings. 4. Transportation of water to settlements 2000 5. Freshwater delivery to the summer camps 3000 11 Groundwater Assessment of the Southern Gobi Region Table 9. Water use fee tariffs (in 2006) Water use fee (togrogs/m3 water use) Purpose of water use Surface water Groundwater Heavy manufacturing 20.0 30.0 Manufacturing 10.0 30.0 Mining industry 1. Gold, pewter extractive industry 100 120 2. Natural oil and zinc, plumbum 100 120 3. Copper concentration, spar 80 120 Food and beverage industry 10.0 30.0 Other commercial use 10.0 30.0 Water use fee (% of total market revenue) Water use for hydropower stations, navigation, ample fauna and 1.0 % flora breeding, water sports, etc.; Note: A water delivery identity collects water use fee from the firms, individuals, and organizations on behalf of the government. 12 2. The South Gobi Region Physical Description The rainfall in the SGR has a considerable annual and seasonal variation. Annex D gives the The SGR (Figure 5) occupies about 350,000 annual rainfall, average monthly rainfall, and the km2 covering broadly the area of the aimags of monthly rainfall in July, August, and September Dornogovi, Dundgovi, and Umnogobi (Figure for Dalanzadgad, Mandalgobi and Sainshand 2). The area is a region at relatively lower eleva- during the period 1970–2002. The annual average tion. In the eastern part, the topography consists rainfall is 115–150 mm/year with the highest val- of the low elevations of the Gobi Mountains, ues in July and September and the lowest rainfall which are separated by a broad shrub-dominated in the period December–March. Table 10 gives desert basin and steppes. In the western part, the some typical figures for the three stations. topography is slightly higher with more rugged mountains and broader gravel plains (Sheely and Also the temperature shows large fluctuations others, in press). between the seasons with maximum values of 35– 40°C in the summer and minus 30–40°C in winter. Figure 5. South Gobi Region location map 13 Groundwater Assessment of the Southern Gobi Region Table 10. Rainfall figures Dalanzadgad, Mandalgobi and Sainshand (1970–2002) Average monthly rainfall Highest monthly rainfall Annual rainfall (mm) (mm) (mm) Average Highest Lowest High Low Jul Aug Sep Dalanzadgad 125 230 75 34 1 78 75 72 Mandalgobi 150 240 75 44 1 92 102 86 Sainshand 115 225 55 36 1 58 135 102 Demography and Economic The current (2007) total population in the Development three aimags is around 150,000 of whom about 60,000 live in towns, mainly the three aimag Population capitals Dalanzadgad, Mandalgobi, and Sainshand (Table 11). In the SGR, the human population in Dorno- govi and Omnogovi provinces has followed the national trend. Between 1985 and 2004, the Economic development human population in 13 soums of these two aimags increased 53 percent, from 41,072 to Livestock farming has been the main economic 62,735 persons. The most dramatic increase in activity in the SGR for a long time, but the human population occurred from 1985 to 1995 economic development of the SGR is expected and was mostly due to urban growth in Sainshand to grow rapidly in the near future, based in- (Dornogovi) and Dalanzadgad (Omnogovi) as a stead on the planned development of coal and result of younger people from rural areas seek- gold mines. The infrastructure development ing jobs and opportunities. The current popula- for these mines will trigger the development tion of Dundgovi province is more dynamic as of additional mines and associated industries many herders have moved their livestock to other along with expanding populations and urban aimags to escape periods of drought. development. Table 11. Population figures 2004 and 2007 Total Population Towns Rural Aimag 2004 2007 2004 2007 Omnogovi 46,800 46,900 15,000 31,900 Dornogovi 52,500 55,600 30,000 25,600 Dundgovi 49,900 48,800 14,000 34,800 Total 151,204 153,307 61,004 94,307 14 The South Gobi Region Sheely and others (in press) summarized the water supply and livestock farming. Locally in the main economic and infrastructure development SGR there is increasing water use by the mines activities that are planned for the Region as fol- and related economic developments. lows: The current demand for urban water sup- OO Mongolia’s primary transportation corridor ply to Dalanzadgad, Mandalgobi, and Sainshand (rail and highway) linking Ulaanbaatar with is 6,500 m3/day (total population 55,000). The China which crosses the eastern section of the supply is from well fields with treatment where SGR. necessary to reach drinking water standards. Table OO Large-scale infrastructure construction, 12 shows consumption figures of 100–130 liters including (a) development of a support and per capita per day, which is in agreement with the service infrastructure to facilitate exploitation figures in Table 6 assuming that half the popula- of minerals, coal, and oil, and (b) enhance- tion has house connections and half uses kiosks. ment and expansion of the existing transporta- tion network (roads, rail lines, air service, and Rural water supply is mainly from individual ancillary industries). water points (herders’ wells) and from deep wells OO Oasis and deep-well agriculture to produce with a pipeline that supplies the soums. Water crops and animal feed for small-scale, intensive supply in the soums is mainly through kiosks, livestock production near aimag capitals. although some of the soums may have a limited OO An expanding tourism industry, including number of house connections. The total rural eco-tourism, requiring infrastructure develop- water supply is estimated at 1,000–3,000 m3/day ment. assuming a daily consumption of 10–30 liters per OO Commercialization of the livestock industry day for a rural population of 95,000. Livestock accompanied by increasing demand for meat watering is calculated using the estimated number and livestock products throughout the Asia of livestock and daily water consumption figures Region, especially from China. (Table 13). The total water use for livestock water supply is around 32,000 m3/day. Water Use and Water Supply Groundwater use for agriculture is limited and confined to subsistence farming in villages Current water demand and use and hamlets. Irrigated agriculture is applied on a small scale with surface water from springs and Water supply in the SGR is almost entirely from stream flow during and after the rains. The present groundwater (and springs) as surface water sources water demand for tourism and wildlife are also are absent during large parts of the year (Table 2). small compared with the mining, drinking, and The main water use was traditionally for domestic livestock water demand. Table 12. Water use in the Aimag capitals Yield Abstraction capacity Abstraction Consumption Name Number wells l/sec m3/day m3/day Population lit/cap/day Dalanzadgad 10 1–15 4,000 2,000 15,000 133 Sainshand 18 0.4–27 5,000 3,200 29,000 110 Mandalgobi 15 1–10 3,500 1,000 10,000 100 15 Groundwater Assessment of the Southern Gobi Region Table 13. Animal water use Daily water consumtion (lit-day) Ref 2 Number cattle Water demand Livestock Ref 1 Warm season Cold season Average (2003) (m3/day) Sheep-goat 4 5 3 4 3,400,000 13,600 Cow 22 40 30 35 100,000 3,500 Horse 20 40 30 35 260,000 9,100 Camel 35 55 40 45 120,000 5,400 Total: 3,880,000 31,600 Ref 1: National Water Committee (2008); Ref 2: JICA (2003 Table 14. Mines water demands in the SGR (Jadambaa, 2007) Mine Type Demand 2010 (m3/day) Groundwater source Oyu Tolgoi Gold and copper 67,000 Galbyn Gobi Gunii Hooloi Tsagaan Suvarga Copper 32,000 Tsagaan Tsav Olon Ovoot Gold 2,500 Bayan Hoshuu Tavan Tolgoi Coal 76,000 Balgasiin Ulaan Nuur Tavan Zag Tavan Ald Khurment Tsagaan Naimant Nariyn Suhayt Coal Host Coal Shivee Ovoo Coal 6.480 Jargalant Nuur Morit Spring Odvog hudag Coal 3.440 Morityn Bulag Morit spring Tevsh Gobi Coal Omnogovi Ovoo Khoklmorit 950 Dugui Ulaan Hamort Lead 950 Dugui Ulaan Urgun Fluorspar 860 Lugyn Gol Rare earth 1,050 16 The South Gobi Region The reported water demand of the mining OO Dust suppression 59 l/sec industry in the SGR is around 190,000 m3/day OO Underground mine 30 l/sec (Jadambaa and Buyanhishig, 2007a) of which Total 785 l/sec approximately 180,000 m3/day for the four main mines: Oyu Tolgoi (67,000 m3/day), Tavan Tolgoi This is equivalent to 67,000 m3/day or 600 (76,000 m3/day), Tsagaan Suvraga (32,000 m3/ liters per ton of production. This capacity will be day), and Shivee-Ovoo (6,480 m3/day). There is reached when the mine is in full operation, which still uncertainly about the accuracy of these figures is expected to occur in a few years. (Table 14) and to what extent they include water demands for current or planned mining opera- The (open pit) copper mine in Tsagaan Su- tions. varga has an annual planned extraction capacity of 20,000 tons per day (7.5 million tons/year and More detailed information on the water demand a reported water demand of 32,000 m3/per day. is only available for the Oyu Tolgoi mine which This indicates a water use of 1,600 liters per ton, shows the following water demand requirements for which is much higher than Oyu Tolgoi (600 liters a planned capacity of 110,000 tons per day: per ton). Applying the more reliable figure from Oyu Tolgoi, the Tsagaan Suvraga water demand is Plant raw water demand much lower (13,000 m3/day). OO Concentrator 670 l/sec Information on water demands for coal Infrastructure /mining water demand mining is not readily available. Mining opera- OO Domestic, washing, and heating water 16 l/sec tions in the Tavan Tolgoi and Nariin Sukhait area OO Power plant 10 l/sec (Figure 6) are still modest but given the enormous Figure 6. Mining locations in Dalanzadgad region (Energy Economist, 2006) 17 Groundwater Assessment of the Southern Gobi Region coal reserves in the area, the mining production is Most coal mines in the SGR are open pits expected to increase sharply in the coming years. with no processing and shipment of the coal by truck or railroad. Under these conditions, the The coal reserves in the Tavan Tolgoi area main water needs are for dust control and small alone are estimated at 5–6 billion tons and could uses. A senior mining expert met was of the sustain an annual production of 100 million tons opinion that this water demand is estimated for 50 years. Future production figures were found at 100–200 liters per ton of coal produced. in scattered reports and articles and indicate that Washing of the coal will add 400–600 liters to the coal production may rise from 11 million tons this demand, depending on the process used per year in 2008 to some 50 million tons per year and the level of re-use. Assuming that 300 liters in 2020 (Table 15). of water are used for the current coal produc- tion of 11 tons per year, the total water use is Water use in coal mining varies according to 9,000 m3/day, which is much less than figures the method of mining (underground or surface), in Table 14. equipment used, and the availability of water. Underground coal mining requires water but sur- The reported total water demand for min- face mines do not use water in actual mining. For ing of 190,000 m3/day seems to be on the high processing of the coal, one can distinguish four side. Given the fact that Oyu Tolgoi is not yet in water demand categories: operation, that the Tsagaan Suvarga mine con- sumes 12,000 m3/day, and the current coal mine OO Washing of the coal, operations have a demand of 9,000 m3/day, the OO Dust suppression, total present water demand is more in the order of OO Use for plant operation and personnel, and 40,000 m3/day OO Power supply. As explained below, environmental water de- Water is also needed if the coal is conveyed mands are not known and no quantitative data or by pipeline (mineral conveyance) but this is not estimates are available of the current environmen- applicable in SGR. tal water use. Water for the Green Wall project Table 15. Key figures on coal mining in the SGR Production Reserves 2005/2008 Mine Company (106 ton) (106 ton) Processing Future production Eldev MAK 50 ? Nariin Sukhait MAK/Qing Hua 134 2 No 5 million tons in 2014 Ovoot Tolgoi SG Energy Resources 150. 1 No Production 2012; 8 Mt (Nariin Sukhait) Tavan Tolgoi Mongolian 6400 1 No 30 Mt during 30 years Government New concessions Tsaagan Tovi SG Energy Resources 36 – ? Small mines 40 mines 7 No ? Total 11 45+ 18 The South Gobi Region in the SGR, as well as other small uses like for Future water demands tourism, is negligible. Future water demands depend on economic and infrastructure development; but it is evident that Water supply infrastructure mine development will be the most important water consumer and the trigger for population Groundwater is abstracted typically by four types increase (township development) and additional of wells: traditional, shaft, shallow, and deep wells industrial and commercial development. (Figure 7). Originally the shaft wells, traditional wells, and shallow wells were the main abstrac- Mining water demand will depend on the tion means. With the introduction of motorized number of new mines, rate of expansion, and the pumps, many higher-yielding deep production type of technologies used. An attempt is made to wells have been drilled since the late 1970s. estimate the 2015 water demands of the four main mining areas based on the currently known expan- After the transition, a large number of these sion plans: wells have been abandoned due to lack of main- tenance and unresolved ownership issues. Also OO Oyu Tolgoi. Planned extraction of 110,00 many of the shallow wells and shaft wells are out tons per day will be reached in the next 4–6 of operation due to a variety of reasons (Table 16). years with a corresponding water demand of Based on the estimated number of operational 70,000 m3/day. wells and typical abstraction rates (JICA, 2003), OO Tsagaan Suvarga. Planned extraction capac- a total groundwater abstraction for rural, urban, ity is 7.5 million tons per year which would and livestock water supply is estimated to be require 13,000 m3/day (using the Oyu Tolgoi around 50,000 m3/day (Table 16). This amount is unit figures). in agreement with the calculated water use in the OO Nariin Sukhait/Ovoot Tolgoi. 15 million next chapter. tons per year of which 50 percent is processed (average demand 600 liters/ton), giving a Most of the rural water supply is taken water demand of 25,000 m3/day. straight from the wells. In the soums and the ger OO Tavan Tolgoi. 30 million tons per year using districts of the aimag capitals, the water is mainly 600 liters/ton, giving 50,000 m3/day. supplied through kiosks (from individual deep OO Other mines. 20,000 m3/day. wells or from the piped system). Assuming an annual increase of 10 percent in The three aimag capitals also have a distri- the period 2015–2020, the 2020 water demand bution system with connections mainly serving would reach 300,000 m3/day in 2020. apartment blocks and offices. The aimag capitals are in the process of upgrading the water supply Urban water supply will grow around the systems through the ADB-financed Basic Urban mines and in the aimag capitals. The Ministry of Services in Provincial Towns project. The fig- Construction and Urban Development (MCUD) ures in Table 12 show that this upgrading is not expects a population increase in the vicinity of the needed for the groundwater availability since the main mines of 110,000 by 2020 (see accounts of current abstraction is only half of the installed the SGR workshop in May 2008 in Dalanzadgad capacity —see www.worldbank.org/southgobi). Assum- ing an overall increase of the urban population to Mining water supply is mainly from high- 200,000 in 2020, the urban water supply demand yielding deep production wells and piped to the will reach 25,000 m3/day. points of use. In the case of the Oyu Tolgoi mine, a 75-km pipeline is under construction to bring Increased demands for water of the other the water from the well-field to the mining site. economic activities such as additional industrial 19 Groundwater Assessment of the Southern Gobi Region Figure 7. Typical design of abstraction wells Source: JICA, 2003. 20 The South Gobi Region development, deep-well agriculture to produce without further details on the size of these activi- specialty crops and animal feed, more intensive ties and more details on the development plan- livestock production near provincial cities, and ning. Like for urban water supply, these future tourism development are also difficult to estimate water demands are also expected to be located in Table 16. Type and number of wells and estimated abstraction rates (JICA, 2003) Well Total Aimag yield abstraction Type of well Dornogovi Dundgovi Omnogovi No operational wells m3/day Production wells total number 321 437 357 operational % 18 16 24 213 60 12,803 depth range m below groundsurface 30–190 20–220 30–240 yield range 1–15 l/sec submersible or pump engine driven lift pump Shallow wells total number 85 285 469 operational % 8 8 23 137 25 3,437 depth range m below groundsurface 10–100 10–100 10–100 yield range 0.3–1 l/sec hand operated pump rotary pumps Shaft wells total number 1100 1500 900 operational 35 80 20 1,765 15 26,475 depth range m below groundsurface 2–20 1–20 2–22 yield range 0.2–0.4 l/sec hand operated pump rotary pumps Traditional wells total number 1300 1500 2000 5,000 2 10,000 operational depth range m below groundsurface 1–10 1–10 1–20 yield range Total 52,715 21 Groundwater Assessment of the Southern Gobi Region Table 17. Estimated current and future water demands Water demand (m3/day) Sector 2005/10 Trends 2020 Mines 40,000 Some main mines coming into operation in the next 5 years. 300,000 Annual increase 2015–2020: 10% Industry / Commerce Small Increase expected around mining areas 12,500 Urban water supply 6,500 Urbanization around mining areas will increase with 100,000 in 12.500 2020 (MC&UD) Rural water supply 3,000 Annual increase of 5% 5,000 Live stock water supply 32,000 Annual increase of 5% 50,000 Irrigated agriculture small Vegetable production around urban centers. Assumption: 1000 30,000 ha @ 10,000 m3/yr Tourism /environment small Remains small and localized 15,000 Total 85,000 425,000 the area of mining activities and around the aimag to sustain environmental and ecological values in capitals the SGR. Table 17 gives the summary of the cur- rent and future water demand estimates and shows Environmental water demands should be a total demand in the order of 425,000 m3/day in mapped in order to define the future water needs 2020. 22 3. Groundwater Occurrence and Potential Groundwater Occurrence: flows from the points of recharge to the points of Explanation and Terminology discharge. The aquifer flow regime depends on the hydraulic characteristics of the rocks (media) and Aquifers the hydraulic gradient and may vary widely with the geology and the recharge conditions. Aquifers are layers of water-bearing permeable rock or unconsolidated materials (gravel, sand, silt, Groundwater systems are dynamic with or clay) through which groundwater can flow and groundwater continuously in slow motion from from which groundwater can be usefully extracted zones of recharge to zones of discharge. Tens, using a water well. hundreds, or even thousands of years may elapse, especially in arid and semi-arid regions (Figure 8) The occurrence of groundwater (and its qual- ity) in the aquifers and its movement depends not All aquifers have two fundamental char- only on type of formation but also on the recharge acteristics: a capacity for groundwater storage mechanisms. All groundwater must have had a (productivity) and a capacity for groundwater source of recharge. This is normally rainfall but flow (continuity). Productive aquifers have good can also be seepage from rivers, canals, or lakes. hydraulic characteristics and usually a distinc- Infiltrating water percolates to the water table and tion is made between highly, moderate, and low Figure 8. Typical groundwater cycle in arid region underlain by major aquifers 23 Groundwater Assessment of the Southern Gobi Region productive to classify the aquifers in a region. inception phase of Strengthening Integrated Water Continuous aquifers (such as in Figure 8) have Resources Management in Mongolia project a regional extension and are usually referred as (MNE, 2007). Specific information on the geol- major aquifers. Aquifers with a smaller extension ogy and hydrogeology of the SGR is available in (like in the SGR) are called minor aquifers or local JICA (2003) and in the background document for aquifers. this study, Groundwater Assessment of the South- ern Gobi (Jadambaa and Buyanhishig, 2007b). A summary of the characterization of ground- water systems is given in GWMATE (2006). The geology of Mongolia reflects the develop- ment of Central Asia between the cartons formed at the end of the Archean: the Siberian craton in Fossil or non-renewable groundwater the North and the Tarim, North China, and Sino- Korean craton in the South. The whole territory In some cases aquifers are cut off from their source of Mongolia was consolidated and belonged to the of recharge due to geological events or climatic Late Paleozoic Pangean supra-continent. Further changes. These are called fossil (or non-renewable) development from the Mesozoic to Cenozoic is aquifers. For fresh groundwater abstraction, the characterized be orogenesis, magmatism, and sedi- term non-renewable can be interpreted in two mentation, particularly in southern and eastern ways, quantitatively and qualitatively: Mongolia. OO Quantitatively – when fresh groundwater is No good quality study exists of the plate not replenished which results in a continued tectonic development although attempts have decline of the water level (both in the pump- been made in the recent past. Tumurtogoo (2002) ing well and regionally). differentiates among three megablocks (the OO Qualitatively – when fresh groundwater is northern, central, and southern megablocks) and (partly) replenished by more brackish or saline six supraterrains and numerous terrains (Figure 9), groundwater resulting in increased salinity. and describes the geodynamic position as well as the petrology of single structures. Fossil groundwater needs special care in its ex- ploitation as it concerns a one-time reserve, which The total development is divided into two is not replenished. Scenarios for development and parts: from Precambrain up to the end of the management of non-renewable groundwater are Permian (i.e., up to the formation of the hard summarized in GWMATE (2006). A planned depletion scenario described in Box 1 means that a period of time is defined dur- Box 1. Planned depletion scenario of fossil ing which a certain quantity of water is abstracted groundwater from the aquifer and expressed in a certain lower- In the planned depletion scenario, the impact of the proposed ing of the groundwater table (or groundwater exploitation of the aquifer reserves on traditional groundwater head). users needs to be assessed and some form of compensation provided for predicted or actual derogation. The fundamental concept should be to ensure that there are sufficient reserves Geology of extractable groundwater of acceptable quality left in the aquifer system at the end of the proposed period of intensive The geology of Mongolia is described in various exploitation to sustain the pre-existing activity (albeit at ad- reports and publications including the Explanato- ditional cost). Another way of achieving this would be to restrict ry Note to the Hydrogeological Map of Mongolia, the design drawdown of intensive exploitation to less than an Scale 1: 1,000,000 (Jadambaa and others, 2003) average figure over the stated period. and the report on groundwater prepared for the Source: GWMATE/World Bank Briefing Note no. 11 24 Groundwater Occurrence and Potential Figure 9. Regional tectonic units of Mongolia (Tumurtogoo, 1996) crust and the Mesozoic and Cenozoic periods). (with primary porosity) and fissured (with mainly During the Mesozoic and Cenozoic, the recent secondary porosity). Jadambaa and Buyanhishig territory of Mongolia was in a platform geody- (2007b) give a listing of the aquifers in the SGR namic situation where the formation of differ- in three classes of productivity: ent overlapping structures was caused mainly by destruction of the previous continental crust. The OO Locally highly productive aquifers, formation of large basins mainly occurred not only OO Low to locally moderately productive aquifers, in the southern megablocks, but also in parts of OO Local limited groundwater resources or strata the central megablocks. with no groundwater. This description is included in Annex E and Aquifer systems in the SGR summarized in Table 18 indicating the number of formations based on age and lithololgy: Aquifer productivity Productive (high or moderate) aquifers in The geological formations that are particularly the SGR include the alluvial sand and gravel interesting for groundwater occurrence are the deposits in the wadis and bel areas of the moun- Permian, Triassic, Jurassic, Cretaceous, Paleogene, tains. These aquifers are usually shallow (less than Neogene, and Quaternary rocks and sediments. 50 meters) and are the main source of drink- They form a complex set of local aquifers at dif- ing water and livestock water supply. At greater ferent depth, extension, and lithology and can be depth, the most productive aquifers are found divided into two types of aquifers: inter-granular in the sandstone containing deposits, of which the 25 Groundwater Assessment of the Southern Gobi Region Table 18. Number of formations for different productivity classes Low /local moderate Local limited resources or Locally high productive productive no groundwater Inter granular rocks 2 7 1 Fissured rocks — 1 2 Upper Cretaceous sandstone complex is the most a very low permeability and are not considered productive. as aquifers. Figure 10 illustrates this and that permeable rocks (aquifer) in the Gunii Hooloi A useful reference to understand the concept area surrounded by less pervious basement rocks of aquifer system characterization is GWMATE (Aquaterra, 2007). (2006). Recharged aquifers and fossil aquifers Aquifer continuity Recharge in the SGR comes from infiltration of Aquifers in the SGR are not extensive, having the rainwater that percolates in the upper shallow same geological structure and productivity over aquifers through which it is discharged to springs, a large area. The more permeable and productive feeds vegetation, wadis or temporary lakes, or is formations (aquifers) have generally a limited abstracted by shallow wells. A small portion per- extension and are surrounded by rocks that have colates to the deeper aquifers, but its size is largely Figure 10. The Gunii Holoi groundwater deposit (aquifer) and surrounding granite 26 Groundwater Occurrence and Potential unknown. The deep aquifers are the permeable Gunii Holoi Basin is a good example of a techni- rock sections from which groundwater can be ab- cally sound approach to identify promising aqui- stracted (like the Gunii Holoi aquifer) and contain fers and to determine the impacts of groundwater mainly fossil water. Pumping from these aquifers abstraction as basis for detailed designs (Box 2). will cause lowering of the groundwater table in the layers above the aquifer (and its vicinity) and eventually a dewatering of the aquifer itself. The Groundwater Recharge rate of abstraction from these aquifers is defined by the number of years of pumping and the ac- The conceptual model in Figure 9 shows that a ceptable lowering of the water table. This lowering shallow aquifer is recharged by rainfall. Given the may affect the wells in the upper aquifers and the low annual rainfall (100–150 mm), the recharge environmental functions of the shallow groundwa- is expected to be small but may still represent ter (feeding vegetation, springs wetlands, etc.). a substantial amount of renewable water given the large surface area of the SGR. Studies in the A groundwater resource assessment study is Gobi Desert in China under comparable climate always needed to determine the aquifer charac- conditions (Ma and others, 2007, and Gates, and teristic and groundwater dynamics as basis for others, 2008) show a recharge of 1–2 mm/year. management decisions on the abstraction rate in A study in the Mandalgobi area (Kaihotsu, 2003) relation to the water table lowering and number of also concludes the presence of recharge, even at years of pumping, and to define the environmen- higher rates. A recharge of 1 mm/year is consistent tal impacts of the abstraction. The study in the with research in other arid and semi-arid desert Box 2. The Gunii Holoi groundwater assessment study The Gunii Holoi groundwater investigation and resource assessment study for the Oyu Tolgoi mine (Aquaterra, 2007) provides a good ex- ample for the approach in determining the impact of groundwater abstraction, and it provides the information for aiding decision making on the allowable abstraction. The area of investigation (550 km2) was identified through desk study and an initial exploration and test program. This study provided the basis for a feasibility study the covered the following: • Surface geophysical surveying, • Exploration well drilling to provide litho logical information, • Drilling test production and observation wells for aquifer testing and long-term monitoring, • Geophysical borehole logging to provide additional lithological data information, • Pumping tests to determine aquifer characteristics, • Down-the-hole flow logging to determine the main flow horizons, • Groundwater sampling and analysis to determine the groundwater quality characteristics, • A conceptual model and groundwater modeling to simulate abstraction scenarios. The result of the model runs provided two abstraction scenarios: • Scenario 1. Maximum acceptable drawdown till the top of the main aquifer for 40 years pumping, resulting in an abstraction of 1.325 l/sec; • Scenario 2. Maximum acceptable drawdown corresponding with a 50 percent dewatering of the aquifer, resulting in an abstraction of 3.340 l/sec (40 years pumping). Scenario 1 was selected for its consistency with Mongolian guidelines for fossil groundwater. The study also provided important informa- tion on the possible impacts of groundwater abstraction on the shallow groundwater (herder wells, vegetation, groundwater dependent ecosystems, and downstream users. It showed that this lowering hardly affects the shallow groundwater in herder wells in streambeds (recharged by infiltration of rainfall and run-off). Monitoring during operation of the well field is foreseen to verify this assumption based on field test and modeling results. 27 Groundwater Assessment of the Southern Gobi Region areas (e.g., Kalahari Desert) and with a composite change may influence the recharge, and this figure of investigated recharge rates versus rainfall should be included in further studies that will in different regions in the world (Figure 11). be needed to get a better understanding of the current recharge rates that are still largely un- known with estimates between 1–2 mm (see next Impacts of Climate Change on chapter). A more effective use of the recharge Groundwater Recharge from rainfall and run-off is an important issue as it concerns water that can be made more easily Climate models for Asia from the International available than the deeper groundwater, which is Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) (IPCC Fourth often of lower quality. Assessment Report) indicate an annual tempera- ture increase in Mongolia of 2.5–5°C occurring The shallow groundwater constitutes only a both in winter and summer months. Precipita- small portion of the total groundwater reserves in tion shows an increase in winter months with the the Gobi Region. Most of the groundwater is in annual precipitation decreasing slightly in the deeper aquifers and is mainly fossil. This water is western desert to a slight increase across the steppe not affected by current changes in climate vari- to the east (Angerer and others, 2008). ability since it was recharged under other climatic conditions and is now trapped in the deeper layers. The water-related impacts of the climate change models include the prediction that the combination of precipitation decreases and tem- Investigations perature increases will likely reduce the run-off of rivers and cause a decline of lake water levels. There are earlier investigations of groundwater With the absence of rivers, these impacts will oc- reserves and groundwater in Mongolia (see last cur largely outside the SGR. chapter; Table 3) and in the Gobi Region. Jad- ambaa and Buyanhishig (2007a) refer to specific In the SGR, the expected increase of evapo- groundwater potential investigations in SGR: ration of soil moisture (due to the temperature increase) is of more importance and may reduce OO Jadambaa and Tserenjav (2003) estimated po- the recharge to the groundwater in the up- tential exploitable groundwater resources for per aquifers. This may however be balanced by pasture by Mongolian economic regions. This higher precipitation. Yet, the impacts of climate study estimated a potential of 82.5 m3/second in the central region (including Selenge, Tuv, Darhan uul, Dundgovi, Dornogovi, Omno- govi aimags). Figure 11. Groundwater recharge versus OO A hydrogeological survey was done in Dor- annual rainfall nogovi and Omnogovi to determine potential 1000 exploitable groundwater sources. As a result, Groundwater recharge (mm/a) 16 separate, unconnected groundwater sources 100 were identified in Dornogovi, and 25 separate, unconnected groundwater sources in Omno- 10 Range is function govi, and the survey was also able to evaluate of soil pro le and these exploitable groundwater resources. vegetation cover 1 OO N. Jadambaa, Ch. Gombosuren, D.A. Jevagin explored Tsagaan Tsav groundwater source in Gobi desert 1967 and 1976. Ch. Gombosuren discovered 0.1 0 125 500 1000 1500 the Zairmagtai groundwater source in 1978. Annual rainfall (mm/a) G. Tserendondov investigated Nariin Zag Botswana Elsewhere groundwater source in 1987, Enkhtuya found 28 Groundwater Occurrence and Potential the water supply of Khanbogd soum in 1998, OO Class A – based on detailed hydrogeological and G. Unudelger found the groundwater studies, source in the center of Galbyn Gobi basin OO Class B – based on preliminary hydrogeologi- in 1994 (personal communication from Dr. cal exploration studies, Jadambaa, no references available) OO Class C1, C2 – estimates based on reconnais- sance studies. Of particular importance are the many groundwater investigations carried out in the These groundwater potential estimates are in 1980s and 1990s by Mongolian and Russian fact a planned depletion scenario (refer to Box 1) experts. These were mainly groundwater investiga- where the design drawdown of intensive exploita- tions or water supply studies for population and tion is expressed as 40–60 percent depletion of industrial centers. About 200 groundwater sources the groundwater reserve in the aquifer over a fixed were explored. The locations of the most impor- pumping period of 25–27 years. The studies cov- tant studies are given in Figure 12. Further details ered local aquifers to a depth of 170–200 meters are given in Annex F. (due to limitations in the capacity of drilling rigs). Most of the reports are available from the Geologi- These investigations were for specific water cal Information Center (GIC) and 40 of them supply purposes and included estimates of the were inspected during this assignment. The sum- groundwater reserve and groundwater potential mary of the main data is given in Annex F. using the Soviet-era-based Mongolian Regula- tion, Instruction on classification of deposits by their Ivanhoe Mines Mongolia, Inc. has also exploitable reserved for technical and potable use. conducted detailed geophysical and hydrogeologi- The studies are classified into four steps ranging cal investigations in the Galbyn Gobi and Gunii from prospecting exploration to detailed hydro- Hooloi area for the water supply of the Oyu Tol- geological studies. Based on the results of these goi mine (Box 2). The groundwater reserves and studies, there are four classes of groundwater groundwater potential were calculated on the basis potential: of the groundwater model (Aquaterra, 2007) and Figure 12. Location of main groundwater investigations in the SGR (Annex 6) 29 Groundwater Assessment of the Southern Gobi Region re-evaluated using the Class A, B, C1,2 approach the aquifer. The potential of such aquifers (ab- (Turdendorj, 2008). straction rate) is directly related to the accepted lowering in a certain period of time. For the A recent groundwater investigation has been Gunii Holoi aquifer (550 km2) this amount was conducted in the Naimant area for the water sup- calculated as 1,325 l/sec (42 million m3/year) for ply of the Energy Resource Coal Mine develop- a lowering of the water table of 100 meters over a ment. The planned abstraction rate is 50 l/s. 40 year-period. The list of groundwater studies in Annex F Groundwater reserve and potential shows that the aquifers in the SGR occupy at least estimations 4,000 km2. Assuming that 1–2 percent of the SGR area is underlain by aquifers (7,000 km2), the Groundwater reserve and potential are sometimes figures of the Gunii Holoi study would indicate a confusing terms. Groundwater reserve can be total groundwater potential of 250–500 million interpreted as the total amount of water stored m3/year. in the SGR while potential refers to the amount of water that can be abstracted. Since most of the Estimates by Dr. Jadambaa. Dr N. Jadambaa water is fossil, the abstraction potential is directly (Jadambaa and Buyanhishig, 2007a) estimated the related to the accepted lowering of the groundwa- groundwater potential based on his experience in ter table during a certain period of time. the SGR and presented them in a classification of the different aquifer productive types (Table 19). Three different approaches are compared to The total figure is about 500 million m3/year or make an estimate of the groundwater potential in 1.36 million m3/day. The assumptions and infor- the SGR: mation on which this estimate is based could not be verified during this review, but in a personal 1. Estimation of the total groundwater volume communication, Dr. Jadambaa confirmed that this and the possible usable fraction; estimate is realistic according to his professional 2. Estimation made by Jadambaa and Buyan- judgment. hishig (2007b); 3. Calculation based on results of investigation Results of groundwater investigations and and recharge rates. recharge rates. The figures in Table 20 have been verified with an approach to classify the aquifers Total volume and usable fraction. The SGR based on depth and recharge and using the results underground (350,000 km2) consists of a com- of groundwater assessment studies and recharge plex variety of different rocks. Below the ground- estimations: water table (50 meters below ground surface) all these rocks are saturated with groundwater. OO Shallow groundwater (<50m) – mainly granu- Assuming a porosity of 0.1, the volume of this lar aquifers in river beds and depressions and water is 35,000 million m3 per meter-thickness recharged from infiltration by rainfall. These and even 3,500,000 million m3 over a depth aquifers are the main source of water for rural of 100 meters (from 50 to 150 meters below purposes. A recharge of 1 mm/year represents ground surface). 950,000 m3/day storage over the total area (350,000 km2). Assuming that 30 percent of Lowering the water table over the entire area this recharge is effective for use, it represents by 1 meter per year would produce 35 million m3/ 300,000 m3/day. It is still unclear how much year. This a theoretical approach because abstrac- of this water reaches the deeper aquifer and tion of groundwater is only possible from the which part is abstracted by herder wells or rocks that have sufficient permeability (aquifers) discharged locally to springs, rivers, and local causing a lowering of the groundwater table above depression. 30 Groundwater Occurrence and Potential Table 19. Estimated groundwater potential by Jadambaa (2007) Estimated groundwater resources (Mm3/year) Productivity (lit/ Aquifer classification sec/ km2 Dundgovi Umnogobi Dornogovi High productive >1 25 31 19 Moderate to locally high productive 0.1–1.0 77 138 71 Low to moderate productive 0.03–0.1 2 89 19 Low productive 0.003–0.03 3 3 4 Essentially y no groundwater <0.003 0 0.0 0.0 Total 107 261 113 OO Deep groundwater (50–170 meter) – These OO Fifty percent of the quantities (shown in An- aquifers were studied in the last decades of the nex F) represent the groundwater potential in last century and a number of them are now ex- the aquifers less than 170–200 meters. ploited for urban and mining water supply, in- OO The study in the Gunii Hooloi aquifer repre- cluding the Tavan Tolgoi, Tsagaan Suvraga, and sents 100 percent of the groundwater poten- Shivee Ovoo mines. The maximum depth of tial reserves in the deeper aquifers below-200 150–170 meters was mainly due to limitations meters (total 115,000 m3/day). in the capacity of drilling rigs. There is still a degree of uncertainty in the validity of these Note: The estimates in Table 20 give a range estimates, but the total amount can be consid- of 200–500 million m3/year. The lower figure can ered the groundwater reserve. The groundwater be considered a conservative estimate as it is based potential is less, assuming a percentage (usable on results of studies and investigations and safe fraction) is actually available for exploitation. values of the usable fraction. It may be expected OO Deeper groundwater (>200 meters) – The Gunii that further studies and investigations will reveal Hooloi groundwater area for the Oyu Tolgoi the presence of yet unknown deeper aquifers or mine is the first deeper aquifer (greater than that a better knowledge of the recharge will lead 170 meter) to be investigated. The study to an increase of the usable fraction of the shal- concluded that 60,000 m3/day can be pumped low groundwater. Despite the uncertainties in the over a 40-year period, assuming that the estimated groundwater reserves and potential, the groundwater table will be lowered no further likely presence of substantial amounts of ground- than the top of the aquifer (meaning that the water in the SGR at different depths makes it water will be mined from the layers overlying worthwhile to take further steps in investigating the aquifer from which the water is pumped). the larger-scale exploitation of groundwater. Future investigations may reveal the presence of other deeper aquifers in the SGR. Groundwater Quality Table 20 gives the estimated groundwater potential assuming the following: Salinity is a main water quality concern in the SGR due to the high evaporation, low precipita- OO Thirty percent of the recharge is reaching the tion, and flat surface morphology. Salinity—or groundwater and can be used. total dissolved solids (TDS) content—is a 31 Groundwater Assessment of the Southern Gobi Region Table 20. Estimated groundwater potential Aquifer type Parameter Dimension Dundgovi Umnogobi Dornogobi Surface aquifer area km 74,500 165,000 109,000 recharge mm/year 1 1 1 usable fraction % 30 30 30 potential m3/day 61,233 135,616 89,589 Mm3/year 22 50 33 Aquifer > 200 m no. sites 10 25 16 est.reserve m3/day 17,000 120,000 220,000 Mm3/year 6 44 80 usable fraction % 50 50 50 potential m3/day 8,500 60,000 110,000 Aquifer < 200 m Gunii Hooloi m3/day 115,000 Mm3/year 42 Total m3/day 69,733 310,616 199,589 Mm3/year 25 113 73 Liter/sec 807 3,595 2,310 commonly used parameter to evaluate the poten- ter analyses in the SGR, the TDS and chloride tial use the water. Table 21 gives the main salinity values are plotted in Figure 13. It shows that classes that are generally distinguished. a chloride concentration of 250 mg/l (drink- ing water standard) represents TDS values of Chloride is usually the main parameter that 1,200–1,400 mg/l (or parts per million), and that contributes to TDS. The relation between TDS a chloride concentration of 1,000 mg/l represents and chloride depends also on the other anions TDS levels of around 4,000 mg/l and 1,500 mg/l in the water and can vary from place to place. chloride concentration represents TDS levels of From a number of available chemical groundwa- 6,000 mg/l. Table 21. Salinity classes of water Salinity class TDS range (in mg/l) Chloride concentration (mg/l) Fresh water < 1,000 < 250–500 Brackish water 1,000–10,000 250–500 – 8,000/10,000 Saline water 10,000–100,000 10,000–40,000 Brine water > 100,000 > 40,000 32 Groundwater Occurrence and Potential Water quality studies are also concerned Figure 13. TDS-Chloride relation from chemical about fluoride, arsenic, magnesium, and hardness. analyses of groundwater samples Arsenic and fluoride are toxic constituents and are TDS-Chloride relation Gobi Desert groundwater dangerous to human health. Arsenic appears to 2250 be found in only a small number of wells (JICA, 2000 2003) but that may be due to limited number of 1750 analyses on arsenic. High arsenic values are re- 1500 ported in the Inner Mongolia Region in northern Chloride (mg/l) 1250 China (IAH-NCC, 2007). 1000 750 WHO drinking Fluoride poses a more widespread problem in 500 water standard large parts of Mongolia, including the SGR. High 250 fluoride concentrations are found in many wells especially in the northeastern part of Omnogovi 0 0 1000 2000 3000 4000 5000 6000 7000 8000 9000 and also Dundgovi and Dornogovi. High concen- TDS (mg/l) tration of hardness, magnesium, and evaporate residue are notably reported in Dornogovi (JICA, 2003) but also occur in the other aimags. JICA (2003) prepared a classification of Both JICA (2003) and Jadambaa and Buy- 1,700 TDS values in the SGR (Table 22). It anhishig (2007a,b) present more detail on the shows that around 50 percent of the wells are spatial and vertical distribution of groundwater below a TDS value of 1,000–1,500 parts per mil- quality (mainly salinity) in the three SGR aimags. lion, and that 8 percent of the wells are above a In general the groundwater quality in the shal- TDS value of 6,000 mg/l (chloride, greater than low aquifers is better than in the deeper aquifers, 1,500 mg/l) and are unsuitable also for livestock which are more mineralized due to long residence water supply. time of the groundwater. Table 22. TDS values in groundwater in de SGR (JICA, 2003) TDS (mg/l) < 1000 < 3000 <6000 <10000 < 15000 > 15000 Total Dornogovi 272 166 28 6 2 474 Dundgovi 280 570 68 6 924 Omnogovi 186 102 12 3 2 1 306 Total 738 838 108 15 4 1 1704 33 4. Groundwater Development and Management Groundwater Potential Versus Regional Groundwater Assessment Demands To address these issues, an integrated hydrogeo- The groundwater potential estimates give a range of logical assessment of the SGR will be needed using 200–500 million m3/year. This wide range results (and integrating) all existing information and from uncertainty in available data and informa- should be complemented by additional surveys tion. The figure of 200 million m3/year (550,000 and investigations. This information should be m3/day) in Table 20 is a conservative estimate matched with the spatial distribution of the water based on information from groundwater stud- quantity and water quality demands and form ies (Annex F, box 2) and a conservative estimate the basis for a SGR groundwater development of the effective recharge (30 percent of 1 mm/ and management plan that will show the possible year). The estimated current water demand is in gaps between groundwater availability and water the order of 80,000 m3/day and will increase to demands and how to overcome these. 400,000–450,000 m3/day in 2020. Bringing available data and information and These figures lead to the conclusion that the expertise together is a necessary first step in an in- groundwater potential for the SGR as a whole is tegrated assessment of the groundwater occurrence sufficient to cover the water demands in the next and potential. The data and information available 10–12 years. Meeting water demands with ground- on the groundwater in the SGR is scattered among water resources requires a more detailed picture different agencies and institutions (GIC, Institute of the spatial (and vertical) distribution of the of Environment, MNET, private sector). A review groundwater (quantity and quality), showing the of the available information and data, the storage distance between available water and points of use. of all data in a systematic (spatial) database, and the preparation of a spatial and lateral overview Water management is matching supply with (maps) of the groundwater quantity and quality demand, and it is hence equally important to will form a basis to identify the main informa- make a more detailed assessment of the demand, tion gaps. This initial work should be followed by both in terms of quality and quantity. This counts specific studies to provide information such as: particularly for the mining development, which is the main water user. The water needed for mining OO Assessment of the effective recharge to the is not only dependent on the extraction capac- shallow aquifers, their flow, and the potential ity, but also on the type of processing and level of to increase their use through water conserva- treatment and re-use. tion and groundwater storage systems (using 35 Groundwater Assessment of the Southern Gobi Region experiences from India, Yemen, and East demands also addressing in parallel the important Africa). issues related to the development and manage- OO Detailed analysis of the studies conducted in ment of the groundwater: 1970–1990. These studies contain a wealth of hard information (test drillings, geophysical OO Feasibility of alternative supplies, like surface surveys, aquifer tests, chemical analysis and water conveyances, local detailed hydrogeological maps. OO Cost of groundwater development, OO Assessment of the potential of deeper aquifers OO Economic and environmental guidelines for the (greater than 200 meters) like the Gunii Holoi rate of lowering of fossil groundwater reserves, aquifer for the Oyu Tolgoi mine. OO Institutional and regulatory requirements for OO Formulation of additional surveys and investi- groundwater development and management. gations to complement the overall understand- ing and potential of the groundwater system Given the concentration of mining devel- such as recharge studies using chloride tracers, opments the area around Dalanzadgad, it is a regional isotope study, or airborne geophysi- recommended to focus the groundwater assess- cal surveys (time domain electro magnetics). ment initially on the greater Dalanzadgad area OO Geographic Information System (GIS) and (Figure 14). Remote Sensing based maps to visualize the groundwater characteristics and potential in a way that facilitates consultation with the other Institutional and Governance stakeholders. Challenges This assessment study should go hand in The complex geology and often considerable hand with a more delayed mapping of the water depth of the aquifers hampers easy access to the Figure 14. Priority area for groundwater assessment and planning 36 Groundwater Development and Management groundwater source. Groundwater development The complexity and discontinuity of the requires a good knowledge of the geology and groundwater system, as well as its scattered, mostly the means to do the necessary investigations to small-scale use in a vast area, and the lack of hu- confirm the presence of promising groundwater man resources on the national and aimag levels are reserves. Before the 1990s many investigations some of the reasons why management and moni- were carried out by the Department of Geology toring of the groundwater resource in the SGR and Mining, other government agencies, and are virtually absent. Without monitoring data universities, often by mixed teams of Russian and and groundwater management structure, existing Mongolian scientists. This resource knowledge issues such as the insufficiencies in rural water sup- is still available through reports and through ply provision and the operational problems in the the Mongolian experts. However, the number town water supply systems, cannot be adequately of investigations has dropped in the last decades addressed. because of limitations in financial and personnel capacity. The most recent groundwater investiga- With the economic development and the tions in the Gobi Region for the mining industry associated increase in water demand in the SGR have been financed by the private sector and car- comes a growing awareness of environmental ried out by joint teams of Mongolian and interna- protection and emerging issues, such as climate tional consultants change impact, groundwater pollution protec- tion, and increased private sector involvement in The current routine is that assessment of conflicts of water supply provision and water al- groundwater in the Region is mainly a response to location. And with this growing awareness comes localized water demands (towns, soums, indus- the need for strong management and regulation of tries, tourism) or for local water points (livestock water resources in the SGR. water supply). The groundwater sources, which are developed for these purposes, are generally On the national level, the institutional and le- from local aquifers that are not connected. The gal framework and tariff system for water resource immediate challenge for the aimags and soums is management are in place but ineffective due to to keep the wells and supply systems in running overlaps in mandates, inadequate policies, and lack condition, to finance necessary repairs, and to of human and financial resources. The Strength- attract funding for extension of the system (see ening Integrated Water Resources Management report of field visit in Annex A). The water supply in Mongolia project (MNE, 2007) has made systems of some of the main towns receive support an inventory of the main constraints related to from the ADB-financed project on Basic Services water management in Mongolia and has started a in Provincial Towns. In the case of Dalanzadgad, 4-year capacity-building project to strengthen the the upgraded water supply (and sewerage) system broader water resource sector in Mongolia (lead by is operated by a company in which the soum has a the Water Authority) and will produce a National 51 percent share. If this model proves successful, it Integrated Water Resources Management Plan and may also be introduced in other provincial towns. Pilot River Basin plan for the Tuul River. 37 5. Long Distance Water Conveyance T here is no perennial surface water avail- The estimated water demand in the SGR able in the SGR. Use of surface water in 2020 is 6,000 l/sec, of which 4,000 l/sec will from rivers and lakes would require be supplied by the Herlen-Gobi and Orhon- long-distance conveyance of water Gobi Pipelines and the remaining 2,000 l/sec by from perennial rivers in the central part of the groundwater (Table 23). Table 23 shows that 50 country. Two such projects are already proposed percent of the water is for the mining and energy at a pre-feasibility level by the Mongolian Na- sectors and 30 percent for (irrigated) agricul- tional Water Programme Support Center (2007): ture. Urban and rural water supply constitutes 7 the Herlen-Gobi Pipeline, and the Orhon-Gobi percent of the demand. The environmental water Pipeline. demand (300 l/sec) is not further specified in the feasibility study. Part of this water will most likely The rationale behind the two projects is to be allocated to the Green Wall project, which is secure long-term water availability in the SGR; in still in the pilot stage but there are doubts whether addition it focuses on securing available ground- this is viable or desirable in the longer term. water resources. This option assumes that the groundwater potential in the SGR has no further Along the pipeline, there are many outlets scope as a long-term source of water in view of proposed to provide water for rural and livestock the growing water demands under the expected water supply and for small-scale irrigation. economic development of the Region. The larger portion of the water is for the ma- jor mining developments, and it is likely that the The Projects overall feasibility of the projects is largely depen- dent on the willingness of the mining companies The Herlen-Gobi Pipeline will convey 1,500 l/ to buy this water. Until now, the Oyu Tolgoi and sec from the Herlen River through a 540 km-long Tavan Tolgoi mines focus fully on groundwater pipeline to Shivee Ovoo, Sainshand, and Zamin- use. Udd with a side branch to Tsagaan Suvraga. The Orhon-Gobi Pipeline will pump 2,500 l/sec from The estimated total investment cost of the the Orhon River through a 740 km-long pipeline Herlen-Gobi Pipeline has been estimated at to Tavan Tolgoi and Oyo Tolgoi with side branch- US$400 million (2005). Cost estimates of the es to Mandalgobi and Dalanzadgad. The system Orhon-Gobi Pipeline are not available but will includes a 20 MW hydropower plant (see layout probably be higher because of the higher capacity in Figure 15) and longer pipeline. 39 Groundwater Assessment of the Southern Gobi Region Figure 15. Layout of the Herlen-Gobi and Orhon-Gobi project Feasibility Issues ernment agencies, municipalities, agricultural companies). Both pipeline projects are still at the pre-feasibility level. Only the project identification reports (Wa- The pre-feasibility reports do not specify how ter Program Support Center, 2007) were available the mining companies will be involved in the for this review. More detailed feasibility studies are conveyance projects or whether they are willing in preparation, for which donor support is being to make long-term financial commitments for the sought. Further studies are needed to address the water delivery. For example, the Oyu Tolgoi mine necessary issues for further decision making, in- is already investing in a groundwater supply system cluding comparison with the groundwater option. that will cover their water demands for the next 10 years and maybe beyond, depending on the rate of Both the groundwater and long-distance sur- expansion of the mining operations and the updates face water conveyance options need further study of the groundwater potential once monitoring data and analysis to answer some critical question on are available from the first years of operation of the the socio-economic, financial, and environmental well field. Also, the Energy Resources Mine has feasibility. The main issues for the feasibility of the almost completed the groundwater investigations in groundwater option are discussed in chapter 5. the Naimant area for the water supply of their coal mining operations in the Tavan Tolgoi area. For the long-distance water conveyance, the main issues include the sustainability of the With these two groundwater supply systems source, the feasibility of using river water for in operation in the next few years, the cost, perfor- agriculture far away from the river (where climate mance, and reliability of the groundwater supply and soil conditions are less favorable), the land option will be fairly well known to the of the main right/ownership, the cost and financial engineer- mining companies. Land and water rights for the ing of the project, and the commitment and role Tavan Tolgoi well field and for the groundwater of both the mining companies as main clients, as conveyance lines are still under discussion with the well as other stakeholders in the project (gov- Water Authority and other government agencies 40 Long Distance Water Conveyance Table 23. Design water demands 2020 (l/sec) Source Estimated Demand No. Water User liter/sec Surface Underground Energy and Mining Industry 1 Shivee-Ovoo 616 467 149 2 Tsagaan Suvarga 604 300 304 3 Oyu Tolgoi 1060 360 700 4 Tavan Tolgoi 951 486 465 Subtotal 3231 1613 1618 Urban Water Supply 5 Mandalgobi 50 50 0 6 Dalanzadgad 70 60 10 7 Choir 40 40 0 8 Sainshand 85 65 20 9 Zamiin-Udd 50 50 0 10 Soum Center and rural 104 52 52 Subtotal 399 317 82 Agriculture and Environment 11 Livestock 200 100 100 12 Agriculture 1750 1750 0 13 Environment 300 100 200 Subtotal 2250 1950 300 14 Other 120 120 0 Total 6000 4000 2000 Source: Water Program Support Center (2007). and will lay the foundation for the licensing sys- main (downstream) clients of the system, they will tem for future groundwater supply systems. have an important say in the final feasibility of the conveyance options. This experience will be the basis for mining companies—the main clients—to take a deci- Irrigated agriculture, the other main client, sion on their participation in a long-distance river will get its water from upstream distribution (near water project. Further studies on the conveyance the intake) of the system and hence will have a options should preferably be done in close consul- much smaller impact on the feasibility of the long- tation with the main mining companies. As the distance conveyance. 41 6. Matching Demands with Available Resources T he key question is: Is there sufficient In further analysis and decision making for water available to sustain the expected the water supply to the SGR, the water demand economic development in the South Gobi projections are equally important. Current water Region? The analyses in this assessment demand projections, with their high degree of un- conclude that the potential groundwater availabili- certainty, need more refinement. Since the water ty is sufficient to cover water demands for the near demand is dependent on economic and demo- future. An additional question is: Can groundwater graphic development, it will be useful to develop also sustain the longer-term water needs? This ques- water demand projections for different economic tion depends on the outcome of a more in-depth development scenarios. regional groundwater assessment study and the speed of development of the water demands in the Matching demands with available resources Region (both in space and time). is a dynamic process in which the important deci- sion for long-distance surface water conveyance The SGR groundwater potential is only partly can only be evaluated once the detailed ground- a renewable resource through recharge of rainwa- water assessment is completed and future water ter in the upper aquifers. The main portion of the demands are known in more detail. available groundwater is in the deeper aquifers— fossil groundwater—which is not recharged. Eco- nomic and environmental analyses of this resource Long Distance Conveyance Versus and guidelines for its exploitation should be part Groundwater of the regional groundwater study. Comparing groundwater development and long- The only possible sustainable alternative distance surface water conveyance is not a straight- source of supply is long-distance conveyance of forward exercise due to the following restrictions: water from rivers in the north (400–600 km away) such as the proposed Herlen-Gobi and Orhon- OO Groundwater and surface water conveyance Gobi pipeline projects. It should be noted that are typically different options in terms of long- distance conveyance of river water is in fact design and operation, but also in terms of per- a conjunctive use option since it will not replace ception. Surface water is a centralized system the current groundwater use. Further groundwater with a concentrated flow of piped water (of a development is also needed to supply the areas constant quality). The groundwater option is a outside the reach of the pipelines or as a backup decentralized approach with a large number of for the surface water system. smaller supplies (well fields) providing water 43 Groundwater Assessment of the Southern Gobi Region of different quality to nearby users. Ground- sion on the construction of a long-distance surface water is a diffused resource and would benefit water conveyance system. In fact, a detailed the decision making process if groundwater groundwater assessment in the SGR may reveal was also presented as a single resource (like which areas are difficult to supply with groundwa- surface water). ter (quality or quantity wise) and as such provide OO Groundwater is the sole source water for the an input for the feasibility of a conveyance system. SGR and will remain an important comple- mentary source of water also in case of long- distance surface water conveyance. Cost of Groundwater Development OO The decision making process has different and Long-distance Conveyance dimensions and is not only based on technical, environmental, and financial considerations Cost estimates of groundwater and surface water but also includes the political and social supply are difficult to make with the available data aspects. and information. An indication of surface water conveyance cost was obtained from the Water Any comparison should be based on a good Center for the Herlen-Gobi Pipeline project. The understanding of the options in terms of design, cost for this project (1,500 l/sec) was estimated cost, operational efficiency, and other pertinent in 2005 at US$400 million and is assumed to criteria. Given the above restrictions, a qualitative be US$500 million at 2008 levels, with building comparison of both options is presented in Table materials and energy process having risen con- 24 showing the typical advantages and key issues siderably in the past 5 years. The operation and of both options. maintenance cost are estimated at US$230 million per year (5 percent of the investment cost). The need for further feasibility assessment of both options (chapters 5 and 6) is a prerequisite An attempt is made to compare these cost for decision making. However, the need for fur- estimates with the investment in groundwater. ther groundwater development (and management) Table 25 details a scenario under which there is in the SGR is evident regardless of any future deci- a groundwater supply of 1,500 l/sec, supplying Table 24. Comparison of groundwater and surface supply systems Option Selling points Issues Groundwater • Estimated potential sufficient for the next 10–15 • Potential not fully known: continued investigations/mapping supply years + additional potential in deeper aquifers needed (not studied yet) • Data and information scattered • Available near the point of use • Need for management, regulation and monitoring • Lower investment cost • Water quality often poor for domestic purposes: treatment • Phased implementation) needed • Security of supply (decentralized) • Mainly fossil water: mining • No transboundary issues • Energy supply may be costly at certain locations Surface water • One source (dam, reservoir) and intake • Resource sustainability (climate change, impacts, sedimenta- conveyance • Secured quantity tion) • Controlled supply along the pipeline • High initial investment (no phased implementation) • Constant water quality • Security of supply (back up storage) • User’s commitment required (specially mining sector) • Transboundary issues • Feasibility of irrigation component (socially, economic) 44 Matching Demands with Available Resources Table 25. Cost estimate of groundwater supply Type of supply System items Parameter Rural water Town water Irrigation Mine Total Demand Consumption l/c/day 100 200 l/sec/ha 0.7 Population 5,000 25,000 Irrigated area ha 70 Demand per system m3/day 500 5000 4,234 36,720 l/sec 6 58 49 425 No of systems 8 2 10 2 Total demand l/sec 46 116 490 850 1,502 Production wells Well capacity l/sec 5 10 15 35 Pumping hours hrs/day 12 12 12 12 No wells/system 2 10 7 25 Daily production m3/day 432 4320 4536 37800 Conveyance Distance km 10 25 10 75 Pipe diameter inch 4 12 12 30 Storage/Treatment Storage hrs supply 4 6 2 6 m 3 83 1250 353 9180 Treatment Chlorination Convential Chlorination Reversed Unit prices Well US$ 200,000 250,000 250,000 300,000 Pipeline (+ laying) US$/m 200 250 250 600 Storage US$/m 3 1,000 1,000 1,000 1,000 Treatment US$/unit 50,000 3,000,000 500,000 1,000,000 Land acquisition Power supply US$/unit 200,000 300,000 400,000 1,000,000 Installation cost Million US$ 22 27 55 127 231 % of investment 10 10 10 20 Investigation cost Million US$ 2 3 6 25 Total Cost Million US$ 24 29 61 153 267 Cost per l/sec US$ 519,552 252,806 123,532 179,802 Cost per m3/day US$ 6,013 2,926 1,430 2,081 45 Groundwater Assessment of the Southern Gobi Region 8 rural centers, 2 towns, 10 irrigation projects, Water demands and 2 mines. Unit costs are derived from Mongo- lia (2008 prices), supplemented with international A more comprehensive overview and analysis of unit costs and information from Ivanhoe Mining current and future water demands is needed as Mongolia, Inc., about the cost for investigations a basis for realistic water resources development and development of the groundwater in the Gunii scenarios and for decision making on investment Holoi aquifer. planning. To answer the driving question—is suf- ficient (ground) water available in the vicinity of the The investment costs include groundwater points of use?—it important to distinguish among assessment investigations and the treatment to the various user groups: provide potable supply. The total investment costs are around US$250 million, which is about 50 OO Rural and livestock water supply. This represents percent of the cost for surface water. relatively small quantities that are spread over the entire SGR with quality standards for hu- Costs for groundwater assessment in the man and for livestock consumption. Gunii Holoi were about US$15–20 million and OO Soums and aimag capitals. Also relatively small included the drilling of test production wells, quantities, but needed at specific locations and which will be included in the final production of potable quality. well field. Groundwater feasibility studies are OO Mining and industrial. Large quantities of relatively expenses (10–15 percent of the invest- water within a radius of maximum 50–100 ment cost) but are needed to develop the under- km at specific locations. A large proportion of standing of the aquifer system and the design of this water has flexible water quality require- the well field, and to determine the long-term ments (depending on use), but a small portion capacity. should reach drinking water standards. OO Irrigated agriculture. Large quantities of water The investment cost per cubic-meter installed at specific locations and with somewhat flex- capacity varies from US$1,400 to US$6,000. For ible water quality requirements. the mine water supply, the investment cost per OO Environmental water use. Unknown quanti- cubic-meter installed capacity is US$2,000. For ties and quality, spread over the SGR but at only the production wells and pipelines, the cost is specific locations. US$1,400, which is slightly higher than the actual cost provided by Ivanhoe Mining (US$1,250 per Current and future water demand should be m3) for the groundwater supply from the Gunii determined for specific uses and formulated both Holoi well field to the Oyu Tolgoi mine (a dis- in terms of quantity, quality, and location while tance of 75 km). The operation and maintenance taking into account the following issues: cost of (decentralized) groundwater supply will be somewhat higher than a piped surface water OO Regional economic development. Development scheme. of the mining sector is crucial since it does not only determine mining water demand (in time) but also the water demand of related Possible Scenarios developments. OO Water uses and required quality. Large portion The present and future water demands are the of future water demands (cooling water, dust main driver for water resource development and suppression, washing water) has lower-quality management. Given the uncertainties in demand requirements than, for example, drinking water. projections and groundwater or surface supply op- OO Demand management. To what extent can re- tions, the best way forward is to develop scenarios use and re-cycling further reduce the industrial for different assumptions and update them on a and domestic water demands. Is infiltration of regular basis. treated wastewater an option? 46 Matching Demands with Available Resources OO Agriculture. What are realistic scenarios for irri- analysis. Issues to be addressed are the economic gated horticulture and agriculture and what are feasibility of large-scale irrigation, social and eco- the related water quantity and quality demands? nomic feasibility of the rural water supply delivery points along the pipeline, environmental impacts For the demand projections, it is recommend- in and around the source river, transboundary ed to develop different scenarios (slow, moderate, issues, and agreements with the main mining and fast development) for different planning time companies on the quantities and price of the deliv- horizons (2020, 2030, and 2040). These scenarios ered water. Here the quality of the water may be of should also take into the account the expected in- more importance since most of the mine water is creases in water demand due to impacts of climate used for washing dust suppression, cooling water, change. More frequent and prolonged droughts and has low-quality requirements. will increase the dependency of livestock, wildlife, and food production on point source water supply from wells (Angerer, 2008). Institutional, Regulatory, and Capacity-building Aspects Groundwater Groundwater management structure in the SGR For the near future (2010–2020), groundwater will remain the only source of water in the SGR. An assessment of the groundwater in the SGR Based on the groundwater potential estimates, (with a focus on the greater Dalanzadgad area) it seems likely that groundwater can sustain the is the first step toward a better utilization of the water demands during this period. But in order groundwater resources. Investing in correlating to set the background for the overall limits on existing knowledge, defining important informa- regional development, a regional study of water tion gaps, and implementing targeted studies and resources should be conducted. This study should investigations could support decision making on better understand the spatial and vertical distribu- the future water infrastructure in the Region. tion of the groundwater resources, its quality, and the environmentally sustainable limits on water The sustainability of these investments will extraction. not only depend on results of the technical and hydrological work but also on the institutional Based on a regional groundwater assessment embedding. All relevant agencies in groundwater study with a focus on the greater Dalanzadgad assessment should work together and share their area (see last chapter), scenarios should be devel- expertise and information. One entity should have oped for area-wise availability of groundwater, its the mandate and confidence of all main stakehold- quality, and abstraction scenarios. These estimates ers as the decision making focal point for (ground) should be given for 10, 20, and 30 years and be water information. presented in confirmed quantities and estimated quantities that must be verified through detailed Potentially, a SGR Groundwater Manage- site investigation and monitoring. This will be a ment and Information Center (SGR-GMIC) dynamic process to add to the overall understand- could operate under the Water Authority but ing of the groundwater system provided that all must be shared with the different ministries and new information is properly stored and integrated. other institutions in the country where ground- water knowledge and information is available. This SGR-GMIC could act as the focal point for Surface water groundwater management, monitoring, and regu- lation and could coordinate studies and investiga- The two proposed surface water conveyance proj- tions that will be needed to update and refine the ects should have further feasibility and economic groundwater potential and to develop guidelines 47 Groundwater Assessment of the Southern Gobi Region for its sustainable allocation and use. This fo- edge institutes as partners in the project design to cal point would also ensure that groundwater is increase the core expertise in water resources in the presented as a single resource and as such facilitate country. the process of decision making on future water supply investments. The proposed establishment of the SGR- GMIC faces similar challenges. Groundwater assessment and management expertise must be Linking the regional and the national level strengthened by recruiting of national staff who are sufficiently skilled to implement the tasks of Groundwater management in the SGR should be the SGR-GMIC. One of the constraints to train- part of the nationwide management and regulato- ing staff has been the lack of teaching materials ry framework while addressing the specific features in English & Mongolian and of teachers who are and management challenges of the Region. up to date on the existing knowledge, literature, & concepts. The Integrated Water Resources The establishment of the new SGR-GMIC Management project should include a capacity should be established in close consultation with all building and training component in the imple- stakeholders on the national and regional levels. mentation of the SGR groundwater assessment At the national level, the National Water Com- and in the establishment of the new SGR-GMIC. mittee and the Water Authority of the MNE), other MNE agencies, Ministry of Food and Agriculture, and Ministry of Trade and Industry Short-term Priorities (Phase 1) (Geology Division) are key players and should be involved from the onset. The Water Authority Scenario development for matching water avail- could provide useful support in establishing the ability and water demand should begin addressing SGR-GMIC in correlation with the objectives the short-term (2010–2020) water management of the Strengthening Integrated Water Resources priorities and include the following activities in Management in Mongolia project. phase 1: The linkage with the national level and the OO Establish the SGR-GMIC and collect all Integrated Water Resources Management project existing information on groundwater water is also important to assess if the existing legislation resources mapping; is covering the regulatory requirements that are OO Review the available information and data, needed to implement the groundwater manage- store all data in a systematic (spatial) database, ment and protection strategies and plans. Legal prepare a spatial and lateral overview of the amendments, new by-laws, and regulatory provi- groundwater quantity and quality (maps), and sions are a national responsibility with the MNE identify the main information gaps; as focal ministry. OO Formulate the capacity building and training needs of the SGR-GMIC; OO Define short-term water demands (in terms of Capacity building in groundwater resource quality and quantity) and its spatial distribu- assessment and management tion based on confirmed economic develop- ment plans and mining development; In the inception phase of the Strengthening of In- OO Prepare a detailed groundwater assessment tegrated Water Resources Management in Mongo- study in the Greater Dalanzadgad area that lia project (MNE, 2007), an important conclusion includes: was that developing integrated water resources OO detailed study of the recharge form rainfall management should go hand in hand with capac- to the streambed aquifers and the poten- ity building and human resource development. tial to increase its use through water con- The project has included universities and knowl- servation and groundwater storage systems 48 Matching Demands with Available Resources (using experiences from India, Yemen, and Based on this information, an overall water East Africa); resources development and management plan for OO detailed analysis of the groundwater the greater Dalanzadgad area can be set-up in con- studies conducted in the last decades, sultation with the main stakeholders. The plan will including the recent studies for the mining have with a special focus on water provision for industry; the coal mines and related developments and in- OO formulation and implementation of clude cooperation between the concession holders additional surveys and investigations to in the management. This plan should also include complement the overall understanding the necessary legal, regulatory, and institutional and potential of the groundwater system aspects to effectively address demand management such as recharge studies using chloride issues. tracers, a regional isotope study, or air- borne geophysical surveys (time domain electro magnetics); Priorities (Phase 2) OO identification of suitable aquifers which have a promising potential and are rel- Upon completion of phase 1, the results can be evant for further investigations; evaluated and reviewed for up-scaling to the whole OO coordination of detailed groundwater SGR (phase 2) and to contribute to the decision investigations in these aquifers in col- making process for investments in the conveyance laboration with (and co-financed by) the of river water to the SGR. potential users in the mining sector; OO Prepare a plan for water supply provision to This work will take 2–3 years, provided that herders, rural settlements, and livestock, which the institutional setting and structure is in place are expected to be covered from the streambed and sufficient human and financial resources and shallow groundwater and locally from are available. A preliminary costing of this work deeper production wells. The large number is approximately US$2.5 million. This amount of wells, which are presently abandoned, does not include detailed groundwater assessment indicates that the main problem is not in the studies for specific aquifers (like the Gunii Holoi availability of groundwater but in institutional aquifer). Terms of reference for these studies issues (ownership, operation and mainte- could be prepared, but actual implementation nance) and the first priority is to develop an should be co-financed by the beneficiaries (for institutional environment for sustainable use example, the coal mine concession holder who of herder wells. could potentially share the water from an identi- OO Prepare a groundwater management and fied aquifer). monitoring plan for the Greater Dalanzadgad area, including guidelines for the abstraction The investment might be considered high of fossil groundwater based on an analysis of but it is a good investment in view of the impor- the environmental impacts of groundwater tance of water resources for the SGR economic table lowering on the shallow groundwater. development. 49 7. References and Other Resources Angerer, J. Guodong Han, Ikuko Fujisaki, and ride.” Hydrogeology Journal Vol 16, Number 5: Kris Havstad. 2008. “Climate Change and 893–910. 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Explanatory Note to the Hydrogeological Sheehy, D.P., C.M. Sheehy, D.E. Johnson and D. Map of Mongolia, scale 1:1,000,000. IMGR/ Damiran. In press. Livestock and Wildlife Issues BGR. in the Context of Development in the Southern Jadambaa, N. and Tserenjav, G. 2009.Ground- Gobi Region. Mongolia Discussion Papers, water potential exploitable resources by eco- East Asia and Pacific Sustainable Develop- nomic regions of Mongolia. In “Geology and ment Department. World Bank, Washington, Mineral Resources of Mongolia”. “Hydro- D.C. geology“Volume XIII. pp.250–258. Tserensodnom, J.2000. Catalogue of Lakes of Mon- JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency). golia. Ulaanbaatar. (in Mongolian) 2003. The Study for Improvement Plan of Tumurtogoo. 2002. Tectonic Map of Mongolia, Livestock Farming in Rural Areas. Interim scale 1:1,000,000 (with brief explanatory Report. Pacific Consultants International, notes). Geological Information Center. Ulaan- Mitsui Mineral Development Engineering baatar. 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Washington, DC. http:// in the Gobi Desert.” Environmental Geology go.worldbank.org/JV78LSXHV0. Vol. 55, Number 7: 1407–19 World Bank. 2006. Mongolia: A Review of Envi- Mischke, S., D. Demske, B. Wünnemann, and ronmental and Social Impacts in the Mining M.E. Schudack. 2005. “Groundwater Dis- Sector. Mongolia Discussion Papers, East Asia charge to a Gobi Desert Lake during Mid & Pacific Sustainable Development Depart- and Late Holocene Dry Period. Palaeography, ment, World Bank, Washington D.C. Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology, Volume 225, World Bank, 2009. Draft Southern Gobi Infrastruc- issues 1–4: 157–72. ture Strategy. World Bank, Washington D.C. Mongolian National Water Programme Support Zandaryaa, S., and others. (nd) “Reserves, Con- Center. 2007. Long Distance Water Transmis- sumption and Contamination of Groundwater sion Pipelines and Applications for the Gobi in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.” Atlas of Urban and Steppe Regions of Mongolia. Ulaan- Geology Volume 14. baatar. Zheng, L., H. Luo, K Bandou, F. Kanai, K. Tera- MNE (Ministry of Nature and Environment). saki, T. Yoshimura, Y. Sakai, S. Kimura, and 2007. Inception Report for the Netherlands- H. Hagiwara. 2008. “High Fluoride Ground- funded Project “Strengthening Integrated water with High Salinity and Fluorite in Water Resources Management in Mongolia”. Aquifer Sediments in Inner Mongolia, China”. Ulaanbaatar. Chinese Journal of Geochemistry, Volume 25, Supplement 1: 103. 52 References and Other Resources OTHER RESOURCES Basin scheme groundwater resources conservation and exploitation of the Altay Gobi and the Data available with the Division of Water Re- southern Gobi, (4 volumes, 1983–1990). sources and Water Use; Institute of Geo-ecol- Surface water database of three aimags and infor- ogy; Mongolian Academy of Science: mation of irrigation systems (1960–2007). Hydrogeological and geophysical reports of Groundwater resources map with scale 1:1 000 the aimag water organizations (every year, 000 (1994). 1938–1992) Location map of groundwater potentials with scale Pasture watering map with scale 1:200 000 of 1:1 000 000, (1986–1999). three aimags of Gobi region /well type, Water supply management projects under the location, watering sketch depends in plants/ scientific technologic project “Rural water (1990). supply”, reports of herders water supply. Water quality information of all wells which is TC project of Electric agency with Atomic Energy drilled for pasture watering by each well Institute in Dundgovi aimag, (1990–1996). (1965–2007). Data available with the Geological Information Groundwater monitoring reports / Tsagaan tsav, Center of the Mineral Resources and Petro- Dornogovi aimag, (1987–1991); Zeegyn ho- leum Authority of Mongolia: tol, Dornogovi aimag; Balgasyn Ulaan nuur, Geological and hydrogeological maps. Umnogovi aimag (1984–1991). About 50 reports on hydrogeological investiga- General scheme of water resource protection and tions in the SGR, carried out during the exploitation of Mongolia (5 volumes, 1975). period 1980–1990. 53 Annex A. Report of the Field Visit to Southern Mongolia 21–24 September, 2008 Participants: Albert Tuinhof, Enkhtsetseg Ayur, Buyankhising Nemer 55 Groundwater Assessment of the Southern Gobi Region Mandalgovi (Capital of Dundgovi per liter (cost price 9 MNT per liter). One ki- aimag) osk was visited (photos 1 and 2, EC: 730 μS/ cm, water sample taken). Water distribution is Mandalgovi around 5 m3/day. OO 3 kiosks (operated by the water company) are Meeting with the head of the administration used for water distribution by tank car. department, Mr. Tseveenravdan, and his assistant, OO 2 kiosks are privately operated one of which Mr. Jivaa and with the water supply operator,Mr. with a hand-pump. The other kiosk is said to Gantulga. have the best water quality (photos 3 and 4, EC: 835 μS/cm, water sold for 1MTN per lit). Total population of Dundgovi 49,000, of which 13,000 are in Mandalgovi (plus Saintsagaan Observations: soum) and the remaining 36,000 in the other 14 soums. OO The installed capacity is enough for the water demands Drinking water source is 30 kilometers north OO Water quality is not optimal of Mandalgovi in a place called Olgoin Govi. OO Treatment (chlorination, softening filters) are Piped water supply system is through 3 opera- installed but not functioning tional wells at the well field (30 kilometers from OO The private water kiosk is said to have the the town) with a total production capacity of 90 best water quality and seems to have a high m3/hr (50, 20, 20, respectively) and 3 production consumer demand. Yet the EC of this water is wells in the town area with total capacity of 50 higher than that of the piped water m3/hr (20, 20, 10, respectively). Total installed capacity of 140 m3/hr. Soum Huldt (Dundgovi) Total production is 1,000 m3/day in winter Conversation with Mr. Todgtbaatar (Soum Governor) and 750 m3/day in summer. The water is pumped to a reservoir 3 kilometers outside the town and Soum center was founded in 1965 because of the distributed under gravity. There is a chlorination availability of shallow groundwater at this loca- unit at the reservoir that is not used because of tion. Current population of the Soum is 2,500. complaints from the consumers about the taste Whole soum has 160 wells, of which 20 are deep and smell of the water. Salinity of the water is ac- wells. Number of operational wells is 60, of which ceptable but hardness seems to be high. 10 are deep wells. A softening filter was installed some years ago The Soum center is served by 3 wells with (with Czech Republic support) but has been out hand-pumps, which were installed under the of order for a long time. The water supply system WASH 21 project. One of these wells was deep- is being upgraded under the ADB-financed Basic ened and equipped with an electric pump. An- Urban Services in Provincial Towns Project. other deep well was drilled with support of World Vision in 2007, but is currently out of order. In the town area, additional water is provided through a number of production wells from which We visited one hand-pump well (30 meter the water is sold (kiosks): deep, EC 1440, photo 5) and one water kiosk, which is located 500 meter from the Soum center OO 8 kiosks operated by the water company. and provides good quality water (EC: 840; sample These kiosks have a small softening unit taken). The water is pumped into a 1-cubic meter (USAID supported), but it appeared that most reservoir (photos 6 and 7) in order to reduce the of these are not in use. Raw water sold for switching on/off of the pump. The well is in high MNT 1 per liter and treated water for MNT5 demand because of the good quality water. During 56 Annex A. Report of the Field Visit to Southern Mongolia the visit, we spoke to a herder who came from Part of the drinking water supply is provided 40 kilometers away (by car) to load water in jerry by private dug wells (photo 15) cans and small tanks (photo 6) There is 1 kilometer of sewerage line, Agriculture is not practiced, because of the which pumps the domestic wastewater (of the poor soil and lack of water. One herder was farm- 900 households with a house connection.) to a ing on a small scale: Along the way from Holyt to wastewater treatment facility (under construction, Dalanzadgad, we visited a herder who was growing photo 16), which are most likely oxidation ponds. vegetables and trees (photos 8 and 9). He started The effluent will be used by a private company to with this a few years ago after a visit to the United grow fodder crops for the market. States. The garden is not in full operation yet, and the vegetables are still for his use only. Soum Tsogtsetsi (Aimag Omnogovi) Dalanzadgad Meeting with the Soum Governor Mr Tsogtbayar. Meeting with the Soum Governor, Mr.Ulambayar Soum Tsogtsetsi (photo 22) has a population of 2,175, of which 750 are in the Soum center, Dalanzadag, population 17,000, is the aimag excluding 1,200 seasonal mine workers (April- capital but located in soum: Dalanzadgad. The November). About 70 percent of the Soum area is Soum Governor, Mr.Ulambayar, briefed us on the situated in the mining-licensed area. general features of the Soum and on the water and sewerage facilities. He also addressed the impor- There are 150 herder wells in the Soum area tance of tree planting and the pilot projects that (both hand-pump wells and motorized wells). A are undertaken. subsidy of MTN 80,000 is provided for 4–6 new wells per year. The water supply and sewerage system were recently upgraded under the ADB-financed Basic Soum center has 3 wells, one of which is out Urban Services in Provincial Towns project. The of order. All wells are kiosks. Water price is MTN1 soum has a 51 percent share in the company, Gu- per liter for domestic use and MTN 2 per liter for nii Us, that operates the water supply (and sewer- commercial use. We visited one well (EC 1040, age) system. There are 4,400 households, of which sample taken, Photo 21). 900 (department and private houses) are served by house connections and the rest by 30 kiosks. The Soum has a climate station (photo 23). Water is from 3 production wells (on average 70 meters deep, 3 kilometers outside the Soum) Energy Resources Groundwater that produce good quality water (sample taken, investigations EC 416; photos 11 and 13). The water is pumped to a 4,000 m3 reservoir (2 days storage, photo 12) Meeting with Mr. Baasandorj and Mrs Baigalmaa from which it is distributed under gravity to 900 (Energy Resources), Paul Evans (Aquaterra) and houses and 30 kiosks. Production wells, reservoir, David McPherson (AZTEC). and kiosks are all in good order (photo 12). Energy Resources is carrying out groundwater Water tariff is MTN 1 per liter at the kiosk. investigations in Naimant area for the AT coal mine Resident water tariffs are not precisely known, but water supply. The study is carried out by Aquaterra, the Soum Governor told us that he pays a flat rate drilling work done by AIDD, and well testing of MTN 3,800 per month for the water supply to by Aztek (Thailand). We visited the ger camp his apartment (2 persons). (Photo18 where Aquaterra gave a presentation on 57 Groundwater Assessment of the Southern Gobi Region the investigations), a drilling site (photos 16 and needed for drinking water supply (AT personal and 17), and a site where test pumping was carried out for the Soum Tsogtsetsi). EC of the water at the well (photos 19 and 20). The draft final report with testing site is 2,000 μS/cm. For drinking purpose, the estimated groundwater potential will be ready the water will need treatment (desalination). Energy in November 2008. The planned abstraction is 50 Resources is interested to install a small desalination liters per second, of which a small portion will be plant with solar energy. 1 2 58 Annex A. Report of the Field Visit to Southern Mongolia Mandalgobi 3 4 5 6 7 59 Groundwater Assessment of the Southern Gobi Region Soum Huldt (Dundgovi) 9 8 10 11 12 13 60 Annex A. Report of the Field Visit to Southern Mongolia Dalanzadgad 15 14 16 17 61 Groundwater Assessment of the Southern Gobi Region Groundwater Investigation for the AT mine 18 19 21 20 62 Annex A. Report of the Field Visit to Southern Mongolia Tsgotsetsi 22 23 63 Annex B. Water Balance Parameters Parameter Unit Dimension Average annual precipitation Khangai, Khentii, Khuvsugul mountain ranges 300–350 mm Mongol Altai and forest area 250–300 mm Gobi Desert area 50–150 mm Total surface water resources 500–599 km3 Of which is fresh water resources; of which is in 410–509 km3 Lake Khuvsugul 380 km3 Other lakes 120 km3 Rivers 28.5–40.1 km3 Glaciers, glacier rivers 62.9 km3 Total groundwater resources 5.6–12.9 km3 Of which is available for utilization countrywide 0.6–10.8 km3 Of which available for utilization in Ulaanbaatar (excluding private industries and ger-districts) 0.097 km3 Of which exploited for: centralized system in UB 0.095 km3 Private industries in UB 0.019 km3 ger-districts in UB 0.009 km3 Transboundary river inflow 1.6 km3 Annual water demand (2005/2006) Domestic and drinking water 0.071 km3 Livestock 0.080 km3 Crop irrigation 0.052 km3 (continued on next page) 65 Groundwater Assessment of the Southern Gobi Region (continued) Parameter Unit Dimension Industrial, except mining 0.036 km3 Mining 0.094 km3 Hydropower 0.080 km3 Energy production/power plants 0.028 km3 Tourism 0.002 km3 Green area 0.000 km3 Water for nature unknown km3 Total territory of Mongolia divided as follows: 1,564,110 km2 Arctic basin (19.5% of total territory) 305,002 km2 Pacific basin (11.5% of total territory 179,873 km2 Central Asian internal basin (69% of total territory) 1,079,236 km2 Area of water bodies (0.6% of total territory) 9,384 km2 Of which are glaciers 659–703 km2 Rivers and lakes 8,682–8,726 km2 Number of water bodies (2003) Rivers 5,565 Of which have dried up in past few years 683 Springs 9,600 Of which have dried up in past few years 1,484 Lakes 4,184 Of which have dried up in past few years 760 Glaciers 240–262 Note: Water balance parameters derived from earlier studies. Source: “Overall Inventory and Assessment of the Water Sector in Mongolia”, Summary report prepared for the Strengthening Integrated Water Resources Management in Mongolia Project (June, 2007). 66 Annex C. Government Agencies Involved in Water Management and Regulation Government organizations Responsibility National Water Committee Coordinating all ministries` policies on water issue to imple- ment the “national water program” 1. Ministry of Nature and Environment 1.1. Department of Environment and Natural Resources Policy coordination on water resources management and protection in Mongolia and give direction to Water Authority 1.2. Water Authority Make policy on water resources management and protection in Mongolia and implement that policy 1.2.1 Water Resources Assessment And River Basin Management Division Give an assessment on the groundwater resources and estimate groundwater availability 1.2.2. Water Cadastre And Engineering Construction Division Cadastre / survey and make a professional assessment on the designing and planning of the hydro construction 1.2.3. Water Economic Center Study appropriate use of water resources and restoration, and set up ecological-economic assessment, estimate actual water demand of the water users, estimate groundwater resources, and inspect law implementation 1.3. Water Institute Groundwater and surface water resources exploratory research, design, set up the equipment for drinking water softening in the country, and carry out activities to improve drinking water quality 1.3. Central Environmental Laboratory Do chemical study on the water quality in Mongolia 1.4. Institute of Meteorology and Hydrology Provide hydrological and metrological information and flood- ing disaster warning 1.4.1 Institute of Hydrology and Meteorology Scientific research on hydrology and climate change 1.4.2. Section of Hydrology Surface water monitoring (quality and quantity) and research 1.4.3. Section of Meteorology Meteorological monitoring and research (continued on next page) 67 Groundwater Assessment of the Southern Gobi Region (continued) Government organizations Responsibility 1.4.4. Forecast Research Laboratory Forecast research on climate change and study on climate change impact on water and land resources 1.5. Environmental Protected Agencies in the 21 provinces & Ulaanbaatar Policy coordination on water resources management and protection in a province, and inspect and monitor the imple- mentation of the policy 2. Ministry of Food and Agriculture 2.1. Division of Policy Coordination and Strategy Policy coordination on agricultural water supply in the country 2.2. Pasture and Crop Irrigation Division Herder, livestock, and irrigated crop area water supply (estab- lishing and maintaining wells in the countryside, etc.) 2.3. Agricultural agencies in the 21 provinces Policy coordination on agricultural water supply in provinces and inspect and monitor the implementation of the policy 3. Ministry of Trade and Industry 3.1. Division of Geology Mining Heavy Industry Affairs Policy coordination on hydrogeology research and mining and manufactories industries’ water supply 3.2. Mineral and Nature Oil Authority Implementing the policy on hydrogeology research and min- ing and manufactories industries’ water supply 3.3. Geological Division Hydrogeology research 4. Ministry of Construction and Urbanization 4.1. Policy coordination of public enterprises construction and Policy coordination on drinking and domestic water supply in urbanization Mongolia and flood protection management 4.2. National center of construction, urbanization, and public enterprises Hydro construction, mapping, drinking water supply of urban area, waste water treatment plant and flood protection 5. Ministry of Health 5.1. Health Policy and Planning Division Policy coordination of public health issues 5.2. Institute of Public Health Drinking water health and sanitation 6. Ministry of Fuel and Energy 6.1. Fuel and Energy Strategy and Policy Planning Division Policy coordination on energy source, renewable energy 6.1.1. Renewable energy Policy coordination on energy source, renewable energy 6.2. Energy Research and Development Center Exploratory research of larger hydro power stations, planning, and designing 6.3. National Center for Renewable Energy Scientific research on hydro power energy and sources 7. Ministry of Culture and Education 7.1. Professional Education Office Policy coordination on the preparation of professionals in the water sector (continued on next page) 68 Annex C. Government Agencies Involved in Water Management and Regulation (continued) Government organizations Responsibility 7.2. Universities Implementation of preparing professionals 7.3. Science and Technological Office Policy coordination on the scientific research and studies in the water sector 7.4. Academy of Science Basic scientific research and studies on water and water resources 7.5. Institute of Geo-ecology Water resources, water use research (designing, water research, chemical study on the water quality) 7.6. Institute of Geography Surface water research (basic study) 7.7. Institute of Geology and Mineral Hydrogeology research 8. Ministry of Defense 8.1. Rear of general staff and armed forces Military and defense water supply 9. Ministry of Foreign Affairs 9.1. Division of Neighborhood Countries Transboundary water issues 10. Ministry of Road transportation and tourism 10.1. Transport Division Policy coordination on road transportation 10.2. Road Transport and Water-Way Transport Department Sea and water-way transport possibility research 11. City Governor Office 11.1. Water Supply and Sewage Authority Water supply and sewage network of Ulaanbaatar city 12. State Specialized Inspector Agency 12.1. State Inspection Office of Environmental and Mining Inspect on implementation of laws on water resources use and protection 12.2. State Inspection Office in the provinces, provincial laboratories Inspect on implementation of laws on water resources use and protection and chemical study on water quality 13. Power plants Produce energy and provide country with electricity and heat 13.1. Industry and Technical Divisions In charge of water supply of the power plants Private organizations Responsibility 14. Mining industries, manufactories Water users 15. Private consultants and contractors Carries out water exploratory surveys, research and designing of the hydro construction etc. 16. NGOs and others Various Source: “Overall inventory and assessment of the water sector in Mongolia”, Summary report prepared for the Strengthening Integrated Water Resources Management in Mongolia Project (June, 2007). 69 Annex D. Rainfall Data Dalanzadgad, Mandalgobi and Sainshand 1970–2002 71 Groundwater Assessment of the Southern Gobi Region Annual rainfall Dalanzadgad, Mandalgovi and Sainshand Mean annual rainfall Dalanzadgadd 250.0 225.0 200.0 175.0 Annual rainfall (mm) 150.0 10 years moving average 125.0 100.0 75.0 50.0 25.0 0.0 1970 1972 1974 1976 1978 1980 1982 1984 1986 1988 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 Year Mean annual rainfall Mandalgovi 275.0 250.0 225.0 200.0 10 years moving average Annual rainfall (mm) 175.0 150.0 125.0 100.0 75.0 50.0 25.0 0.0 1970 1972 1974 1976 1978 1980 1982 1984 1986 1988 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 Year Mean annual rainfall Sainshand 250.0 225.0 200.0 175.0 Annual rainfall (mm) 150.0 10 years moving average 125.0 100.0 75.0 50.0 25.0 0.0 1970 1972 1974 1976 1978 1980 1982 1984 1986 1988 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 Year 72 Annex D. Rainfall Data Dalanzadgad, Mandalgobi and Sainshand Average monthly rainfall 1970–2002 Dalanzadgad, Mandalgovi and Sainshand Average monthly rainfall Dalanzadgadd 1970–2002 40.0 Monthly rainfall 35.0 30.0 Average rainfall (mm) 25.0 20.0 15.0 10.0 5.0 0.0 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Month Average monthly rainfall Mandalgovi 1970–2002 50.0 45.0 40.0 35.0 Average rainfall (mm) 30.0 25.0 20.0 15.0 10.0 5.0 0.0 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Month Average monthly rainfall Sainshand 1970–2002 40.0 35.0 30.0 Average rainfall (mm) 25.0 20.0 15.0 10.0 5.0 0.0 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Month 73 Groundwater Assessment of the Southern Gobi Region Monthly rainfall July. August, September / Dalanzadgad, Mandalgovi and Sainshand Monthly rainfall Dalanzadgadd: July, August, September 90.0 80.0 70.0 Rainfall (mm/month) 60.0 10 years moving 50.0 average 10 years moving 40.0 average 10 years 30.0 moving average 20.0 10.0 0.0 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 Year Monthly rainfall Dalanzadgadd: July, August, September 120.0 100.0 Rainfall (mm/month) 80.0 10 years moving 10 years average moving 10 years 60.0 average moving average 40.0 20.0 0.0 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 Year Monthly rainfall Dalanzadgadd: July, August, September 160.0 140.0 120.0 Rainfall (mm/month) 100.0 80.0 10 years 10 years moving moving 60.0 10 years average moving average average 40.0 20.0 0.0 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 Year July August September 10 per. Mov. Avg. (July) 10 per. Mov. Avg. (August) 10 per. Mov. Avg. (September) 74 Annex E. Aquifer Classification in the SGR (Jadambaa, 2007) Main aquifers in the landwaste with interlayer and lens of clay and Southern Gobi Region loam are distributed in Gunii Hooloi area (Um- nugovi aimag), where hydrogeological investiga- Distribution of water resources in a geological tions were carried out by Australian Aquaterra system are controlled lithology (mineral composi- Limited Company, and also in Tsagaan tsav, tion, grain size, grain packing of the sediments or Zuunbayan, Bor Huuvur areas, where hydro- rocks); stratigraphy (geometrical and age relations geological condition was studied by Mongolian between geological formations of sedimentary and Russian hydrogeologists before 1990. Local, origin); and structure of geological formations highly productive, Upper Cretaceous (c2) aquifer (structural features, such as cleavage, fractures, is used for water supply of towns of Sainshand and folds, and faults). Mandalgobi. 1.2. Low-to-local-moderate productive 1. Intergranular aquifers aquifers Low-to-local-moderate productive aquifers com- Lithologically and stratigraphically, there are two prise 7 different ages of aquifers. These aquifers different types of deposits within this group of with low-to-moderate productivity are distributed aquifers: local, highly productive aquifers; and in bel area of mountains and dry valleys in desert low-to-local moderate productive aquifer. areas. Most of the test boreholes in these sedi- ments were drilled in dry valleys. The wells had 1.1. Local, highly productive aquifers yields up to 0.1 liters per second at drawdown up Local, highly productive aquifers include Undif- to 5.0 meters. The discharge of springs was mainly ferentiated Quaternary (qh+q) and from Upper between 0.01–5 liters per second. The content of Cretaceous (c2) geological formations. total dissolved solids (TDS) in the groundwater was mainly 0.6–1.5 grams per liter. Undifferentiated Quaternary (qh+q) alluvial, proluvial sand, gravel with loam, clay, sandy loam Proluvial aquifer is used for water supply of are distributed in Balgasiin Ulaan nuur area (Um- some party of Dalanzadgad and series of villages nugovi aimag) where wells had different yields, and some pastureland. including maximum yield of 60 liters per second, depth of this well (156 meters), thickness of aqui- Upper Cretaceous (c2) red or various colored, fer (36.3 meters). low-to-local-moderate productive conglomerate, sandstone, claystone, siltstone are distributed in Upper Cretaceous (c2) red or different colored Galbyn govi area and investigated by Aquaterra sandstone, conglomerate, gravelate with gravel, Limited Company. 75 Groundwater Assessment of the Southern Gobi Region Neogene red-colored sand, conglomer- 2. Fissured aquifer, including karst ate, sandstone with clay, loam as well as Upper Cretaceous sands, sandstones, conglomerates and 2.1. Low-to-local-moderate productive gravels are widespread. The sediments in particu- aquifers lar are extremely important for water supplies in Karst aquifers, composed from Paleozoic lime- the steppe and desert zones of southern Mon- stone, dolomite, and other carbonate rocks, are golia. The lithological properties of the aquifers distributed in local small areas separately. vary considerably (laterally as well as vertically). Groundwater is mainly pumped from wells at 2.2. Local limited groundwater resources or depth up to 100 meters. Wells mostly have yields strata with no groundwater between 0.5 and 2.0 liters per second. Fissured zones in undifferentiated intrusives with local and limited groundwater resources are dis- Jurassic (Triassic), Permian sandstones, tributed underlying Quaternary thin-cover inter- siltstones, and conglomerates with horizontal or granular aquifers. These intergranular and fissured slightly inclined strata mainly have yields between aquifers are used together for pasture water supply. 0.1 and 1.0 liters per second. The concentration of TDS is usually more than 1 gram per liter. Near Fissured zones in undifferentiated extrusives, the border of Mongolia and China, south of the metamorphosed sedimentary and metamorphic village of Gurvantes, Jurassic, and Permian depos- rocks of different ages with limited groundwater its occupy a relatively large area where a group of resources or with essentially no groundwater are springs was found. The discharge of spring was 2.5 widespread throughout the Southern Gobi region, liters per second. Borehole 15 in the same area en- including Umnugobi and Dornogovi aimags. countered a fault zone and had a yield of 2.2 liters Dry intrusive, volcanic and metamorphic rocks per second, the drawdown was 1.6 meters. of different ages, as well as Carboniferous and pre-Carboniferous sediments are widespread in the 1.3. Local limited groundwater resources or Gobi. The fact that these rocks essentially contain strata with no groundwater no groundwater is in most cases perceptible at Intergranular rocks with local, limited groundwa- least in one of the following circumstances: lack of ter resources or no groundwater are represented springs, high surface runoff due to its orographic by all genetic and stratigraphic units [1]. There position of the outcrop, and low infiltration capac- are alluvial sediments of this type in the dry val- ity of the rock due the lithological properties. The leys of Umnugobi and Dornogovi aimags and in areas with essentially no groundwater to very low the courses of ephemeral rivers in the southern resources had 25.4 percent of Dundgovi, 24.6 Gobi of Mongolia. The intergranular aquifer with percent of Umnugovi, 30.3 percent of Dornogovi limited groundwater resources are used for animal and Govisumber aimags. husbandry and herdsman water supply. Their productivity is extremely low 76 Annex F. Groundwater Studies in the SGR 77 Groundwater Potential Studies: Dundgobi 78 Average Volume Area tichness stored Proposed abstraction GIC index Chem. Purpose of 2 6 3 3 No. Name Coordinates number Aquifer type Analysis km m 10 m m /day Type study Year 1 Undurshil 108°14'48" 4534 Fractured Y 40 346 B Soum ws 1991 45°14'15" 2 Ulziit 106°14'????????????" 4371 Cretaceous Y Soum ws 1990 44°45’ ????????????" Sand and gravel 3 Shine usnii 106°14'–106°17' Cretaceous fractured 3 40 7 259 B Soum ws honhor 44°55'–44°57'30" tuff 4 Zodohyn heseg 105°45'02" 20 9 518 B Soum ws 45°30' 5 Ulaan tolgoin 105°43' 4455 3.75 40 2,549 C2 City ws 1991 gobi 45°46'10" Groundwater Assessment of the Southern Gobi Region 6 Mandal uul 106°25' 432 B 45°37'30" 7 Delgerkhangai 104°46' 4476 Cons. sediments Y 259 C1 Soum ws 1991 45°13'35" Fractured granite 130 C2 8 Olgoin gobi 105°48'–106°1'55" 4294 24 30 1,382 A 45°56'33"–45°51'10" 864 B 432 C1 9 Delgertsogt 105°50'–106°361' 4456 Fractured 518 B Soum ws 45°55’–46°20' Aquifer 10 Rashaant 106°00'–106°30' 3686 27.25 55.6 30.3 5,393 A Aimag 1984 45°40'–46°00' center (continued on next page) Groundwater Potential Studies: Dundgobi (continued) Average Volume Area tichness stored Proposed abstraction GIC index Chem. Purpose of 2 6 3 3 No. Name Coordinates number Aquifer type Analysis km m 10 m m /day Type study Year 11 Moritiyn 108°02'48" 3,440 45°43'30" 12 Dersiyn us 104°37'00" 388 45°07’ 00" Total 16,910 79 Annex F. Groundwater Studies in the SGR Groundwater Potential Studies: Umnogobi 80 Average Volume Area tichness stored Proposed abstraction GIC index Chem. Purpose of 2 6 3 3 No. Name Coordinates number Aquifer type Analysis km m 10 m m /day Type study Year 1 Mushgai hudag 103°34'–104°40' 4385 Cretaceous con- Y 103 28 6,444 C2 1990 44°15'–44°50' glomerate Fractured 2 Dugui Ulaan 104°52'–104°55'39" 1982 Limestone 2.83 69 3.89 1,227 B Mining 1973 42°08'47"–47°08'00" Unconfined 3 Guramsany hooli 4458 Fractured 25 605 C1 Soum ws 1991 Conglomerate 216 B 4 Bayan ovoo 105°40'–106°12' 2929 Niogene 30 85 2,529 C1 Pasture ws 1979 42°50'–43°35' Unconsolidated 5 Bugtyn hooloi 102°30'–104°19' 4366 Upper cretaceous Y 157.7 47.3 1,173 B+ C1 Pasture wa- 1990 Groundwater Assessment of the Southern Gobi Region Heseg 42°40'–43°20' sand sandstone Y 68 53.3 2,592 C1 ter supply Hurmen uulyn 103°01 30"' sandy clay consoli- 35 39.6 5,339 C2 Soum ws omno 42°54 dated gravel gravel 112 36.4 2,220 C2 Zuramtai uulyn 59 60 1,630 C2 hooloi 35.8 62 710 C2 Gun zagyn hooloi 1,814 C1 Tavan suhai 5,833 B + C1 Hurmen soum 6 Noyon 5271 Volcanic rocks 27 206 C1 Soum ws 1999 7 Gurvan tes 101°02'00"– 5187 Alluvial fan 3 31 92 500 C1 Soum ws 1998 101°03'00" 58 C2 43°12'50"–43°13'30" (continued on next page) Groundwater Potential Studies: Umnogobi (continued) Average Volume Area tichness stored Proposed abstraction GIC index Chem. Purpose of 2 6 3 3 No. Name Coordinates number Aquifer type Analysis km m 10 m m /day Type study Year 8 Bayantuhum 102°35'–104°10' 4478 Unconsolidated Y 93 50 235 2,592 B Pasture ws 1991 Baishint 43°10'–43°50' Quarternary 84 38 225 9,054 C1 Soum ws Tesgene 103°47' Sand and gravel 42 35 100 2,436 B Dalain bulag 43°18 29 5,296 C1 2,160 B 2,549 C1 1,331 B1 9 Dalanzadgad 3583 Quarternary 24 30 17 2,592 A City ws 1983 Gravely Sand 1,469 B 10 Mandah 3836 Quarternary 80 23 65 1,823 A TT mine 1985 Alluvial 777 B 941 C1 11 Tavan zag 100°30–101'20' 4198 Quarternary Y 35 57 74 1,728 C1 Agriculture 1988 Hongoriyn 43°44'–43°5'1 Quarternary Y 7625 59 89670 691 C2 102°21'30' 1,728 B 43°49' 2,246 C1 12 Tavan ald 106°07'00' 4197 Quarternary Y 2,246 B TT mine 1988 42°26'00 4,493 C1 13 Zairmagtai 105°00–106'30' 4107 Quarternary 45 27 84 1,322 B TT mine 1987 43°30'–42°05' Gravel with sand 661 C1 and clay 559 C2 14 Uizen 105°36'30' 4448 Granite 14 143 C1 Soum ws 1990 Duh Tolgoi 43°41'30 Fractured 13 143 C2 C1 81 Annex F. Groundwater Studies in the SGR Huren tolgoi 25 26 174 C2 (continued on next page) Groundwater Potential Studies: Umnogobi (continued) 82 Average Volume Area tichness stored Proposed abstraction GIC index Chem. Purpose of 2 6 3 3 No. Name Coordinates number Aquifer type Analysis km m 10 m m /day Type study Year 15 Baynzagiyn 103°56'00' 3870 Quarternary 40 36 41 2,696 A+B TT mine 1986 hotgor 43°57'00 Gravel and sand 16 Balgasiyn ulaan Y 6,652 B Mine water nuur 6,380 C1 supply 17 Nariyn zag 106°18'00' 4249 Sandstone 95 16 148 6,500 C2 1988 42°45'25 18 Mandal Ovoo 3697 Upper cretaceous 280 35 294 8,812 C2 TT mine 1984 Sandstone 19 Bulgan 2,592 20 Gsahuun hudag 105°36'00' 1,300 Groundwater Assessment of the Southern Gobi Region 43°56'00 Total 117,208 Groundwater Potential Studies: Dornogobi Average Volume Area tichness stored Proposed abstraction GIC index Chem. Purpose of 2 6 3 3 No. Name Coordinates number Aquifer type Analysis km m 10 m m /day Type study Year 1 Ulaanbadrah 110°27'10’' 4759 Y 19.5 86 C1+C2 Soum ws 1994 43°52'20' 2 Doloodyn gobi 110°45'–113°00' 4728 Sand and gravel 256 28.7 22.04 22,982 C1+C2 Request 1992 45°00'–46°20' by Aimag government 3 Lugyn gol 108°00'–109°00' 4394 Volcanic Y 4.6 30 864 B+C1 Mine ws 1990 (Bayan mod) 42°50'–43°15' 4 Bor hoovor 110°00'–110°31' 4296 Gravel and sand 1070 38.0 60.99 27,925 B+C1 Soum ws 1989 45°20'46"–45°00'90" 50.0 1070 36,979 C2 5 Shivee ovoo 108°44'15’' 4306 Sand gravel, 368.5 40.9 432 A City ws 1992 Hoit Choi 45°55'35' sandstone, fractured 6,460 B Jargalant brown coal 7,516 C1+C2 4,320 6,480 8,208 7 Zeegyn hutul 110°00'–110°31' 3811 Ancient lake deposit 25 40 90 4,968 A City ws 1986 45°40'–46°00' 8 Tsagaan tsav 1787 69,120 Agriculture 9 Shanagan 3873 Ancient lake deposit 864 A Mine mogoit 10 Salaa 897 C2 176 83 Annex F. Groundwater Studies in the SGR (continued on next page) Groundwater Potential Studies: Dornogobi (continued) 84 Average Volume Area tichness stored Proposed abstraction GIC index Chem. Purpose of 2 6 3 3 No. Name Coordinates number Aquifer type Analysis km m 10 m m /day Type study Year 11 Ulaanshand 7,257 12 Bor undur 14,900 Total 220,435 Groundwater Assessment of the Southern Gobi Region