Bureau Veritas, a global leader in Testing, Inspection and Certification (TIC), has opened a state-of-the-art coal testing facility in Ulaanbaatar. It will service the technical needs of the coal industry by providing analytical facilities, technical support and consulting services. The new laboratory houses the latest equipment and techniques, and will ultimately employ more than 30 professionals to provide exploration and borecore testing services, as well as superintending and production/supply of on-site laboratories.
S.M. Rao, Country Manager, said the testing facility is the first dedicated coal laboratory in Mongolia that focuses on coal exploration, mining and trade. “Our goal is to provide timely and accurate data safeguarding the client’s interest and minimising associated risks.” It is also the first coal laboratory in Mongolia fully under direct expatriate management and supervision. Initially all specialists and experts will be from Australia, but Rao said the company will trainsome 30 graduates from Mongolia so that they are able to work in any laboratory in the world. Two specialists from Australia will be the trainers.
According to B.Altsukh of the Mineral Resource Authority, at present over 200 samples are sent abroad every year for testing. The new facilities will make this redundant, as all services can now be performed locally.