The Oyu Tolgoi mine, located in the Gobi Desert of southern Mongolia, was constructed starting in 2009 and began operating in 2013. The combined open pit and underground mine is the largest financial undertaking in Mongolia's history and is capable of producing 450,000 tonnes of copper per year. Despite being located in one Mongolia’s driest regions, the mine uses more than a billion gallons of water a month — a concern for local herders and environmental advocates. | Daily Overview