Canadian-based Ivanhoe Mines discovered the gold-copper ore deposit in 2001 in the Gobi Desert of Mongolia.

It is in an area known as Oyu Tolgoi (Mongolian for Turquoise Hill),[3] where in the time of Genghis Khan outcropping rocks were smelted for copper.

[4] Oyu Tolgoi deposits contain (as of 2010) an estimated 79 billion pounds (35,833,000 tonnes) of copper, and 45 million ounces (1,275,000,000 grams) of gold.

The terminal building (designed to mimick a Mongolian ger) is able to cater for up to 240 passengers per hour.

The majority were employees of the Oyu Tolgoi mine from Ulaanbaatar, including foreigners who connected through Buyant-Ukhaa International Airport.