“We have given duties to Ivanhoe Mines to complete certain required environmental assessments under Mongolian law,” Ya. Ariunzul, director of the environmental division, told MonInfo Tuesday.

“There were many contradictions and violations of the law within their activities, specifically concerning ecosystem impacts.”

Ivanhoe officials said beginning work on the second 10 meter wide shaft was shut down on September 30, and had no specific date for when work would resume.

“We have submitted a new environmental impact detailed assessment report, prepared by Ecotrade Co., to the Ministry of Nature, which covers all matters. But in a meeting yesterday they said we need more assessment in our activities,” T. Munkhbat, deputy director of the Oyu Tolgoi project, said Tuesday.

Officials at the SPIA said that a deadline of December 31 has been set for Ivanhoe to complete works for meeting the new requirements.

Ivanhoe, which has been holding talks on an investment agreement for three years with the Mongolian government, is continuing to hold meetings with a government working group to delineate draft legislative and tax framework for the Oyu Tolgoi project.