The 207th order of the UB Mayor N.Batbayar about moving metallurgical plants from the city’s downtown was made in May, 2006 and following this order, a decision from the Citizens’ Representative Hural was made on July 25, 2006, to relocate metallurgical factories to Bagakhangai, Baganuur and Nalaikh districts.

“There are around 30 these kinds of factories in the city. Many of them do not have any Environmental Impact Assessment surveys done,” Baldan-Ochir said.

Last week, Mongolian newspapers reported that some of the plants were, “poisoning Mongolians.”

“There were no official medical or chemical conclusions made that the manufacturing was poisonous. However it was obvious that operation of the factory is poisonous for the environment,” Baldan-Ochir explained.

“Today we, the inspection group, are going to visit to the factories for making inspection again” he added.

In a phone interview with the manager of the Wan Xi Dai Metallurgical plant, located in Bayanzurkh district’s 10th khoroo, he said “We are planning to move from the location we are at. But where we are moving and when we are moving are still uncertain. We might be leaving to Baganuur.”

In response to questioning regarding environmental impacts and related issues with humans, he answered, ”I do not want to give any information on that.”

“Our plant is the biggest in UB city, even bigger than Darkhan’s Metallurgical Plant and we are bringing good techniques and equipment from China,” he added.