The CBO registered artisanal miners in Uyanga, Khairkhan Dulaan and Baruun Bayan Ulaan soums of Uvurkhangai province, Bumbugur, Galuut and Ulziit soums of Bayankhongor province, Sharga, Biger and Yesunbulag soums of Gobi-Altai province, as well as Mandal, Bayangol and Shaamar soums of Selenge province. It distributed manuals to the miners, urged them to forego gold mining and surveyed what kind of alternative employment they would be interested in.
The survey revealed that despite their interest in foregoing gold mining, artisanal miners continue to pursue it in light of scarce employment opportunities in the provinces.
They expressed interest in the following jobs: growing potatoes and other vegetables, sewing, making handicraft and woodcraft products, growing fruits, running a food business, livestock husbandry, making felt products, bakery, as well as producing milk and dairy products.
Based on the survey, the CBO established a sewing group in Khairkhandulaan soum of Uvurkhangai province and Galuut soum of Bayankhongor province, and provided it with sewing machines, cross-stitch machines and steam irons. Furthermore, the CBO handed over an oven and a bread container box to a bakery group in Galuut soum of Bayankhongor province. It also handed over solar powered drying equipment to the residents interested in making dairy products in Ulziit soum.
The project prepared and distributed to artisanal gold miners two thousand copies of briefs and promotion materials on mercury?s dangers and its harmful effects on human health and the environment.