First entry on site

The right to blog
After a long break I write my first post on site. I still have no confirmation to blog, but as I am not publishing confidential material it shouldn't be a problem. To be honest, it was not only that I was not allowed to blog. I didn't find time to write, because life here on site is that amazing that you won't miss the time with friends. The usual working hours start at 6am and end at 6pm. We often spend in the evening a little bit more time in the office, but we are also not every day at 6am at our desk. Time goes by very fast. I cannot imagin what you could achieve in an 8 hours working day. Normally, you check the watch and you always realize that it's already late. Anyway I will try to update my blog, as there are a lot of impressions to share and for me one thing is already a fact: It was one of my best decisions ever to come to Minegolia.

Living in a Ger

When I tell people that we are living in tents they are mostly very surprised. Indeed it sounds special, but those gers are better equipped than some of the hotels I was in so far. They all have A/C, a fridge, a big bed, shovers, underground heating (which is very important in winter when it gets -40°), a TV with some of the best international channels and internet access and a striptease pole :-). I really appreciate to live in a ger and so far I was always lucky to be assigned to one. There are also other accomodations, but they are a little bit far from the office and the mess.



Typical Mongolian Gers

 

 gers under the rainbow

Inside a ger

Light Vehicles (LV)

There are strong regulations in terms of vehicles on site to keep the safety standards. Every vehicle has a unique number. Most of the Expats here have their own pickups (picture below), but we are dependent on the transport service here. It's a shared service and you can call the transport agency and they come and pick you up where ever you are.

light vehicles

Heavy Mobile Equipment

The real Mining Vehicles are called Heavy Mobile Equipment (HME). It's amazing to see those huge vehicles work. It's definitely a dimension you never see in Switzerland. I have attached some picture to show the relationship.



 Eegi in front of a WA1200 Wheel Loader



 Me sitting in the Dipper of the Electric Shovel

Gary in front of a Haul Truck