Proposal: Water sustainability in Mongolian Mines

In my project I hope to gain an understanding of the Mongolian mining systems and the application of sustainability methods such as life cycle analysis to both assess and design more efficient processes (especially in the sense of a decreased environment impact). I started getting involved in the sustainability movement after attending a series of lectures that used engineering concepts to reverse the detrimental impacts of industrialization to the environment. This inspired me to apply my own engineering skills to optimize processes through industrial waste management and process design, possibly in a consulting firm.

Mongolia is rapidly industrializing, perhaps at speeds where environmental impacts are being overlooked. One of its major areas of growth is the mining industry. In my project, I hope to investigate the water flows in and out of the mining process. This includes total volume, flow
rates, chemical treatments, water sources and sinks, and water quality in the various stages of the process while I both tour in work in several sectors in the mining company. I hope to create a comprehensive report of findings as well as gain technical experience doing work in industry.