In response to restrictions put in place by the Mongolian government in regard to coronavirus, Rio Tinto plc (LON:RIO) has stressed that its first priority is the health and safety of all its employees, contractors and members of the wider community.
Rio is currently developing the underground portion of the huge Oyu Tolgoi copper project in Mongolia, one of the largest copper developments in the world.
Since January the movement of goods and people within Mongolia has been restricted within and across its border and this has further escalated recently as the first case of coronavirus has occurred in the country.
Work on the underground project at Oyu Tolgoi continues. However, progress is being slowed as a result of these measures.
There is restricted access for teams from Rio Tinto, Oyu Tolgoi and construction partners to oversee development and provide specialist technical services. The availability of specialist service providers at the site is essential to safely continue work on technical activities such as the headframe commissioning of Shafts 3 and 4.
The open pit of the Oyu Tolgoi mine continues to operate and deliver shipments of copper concentrate to its customers.