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Mardai is a town built by the Russians in the 1970's and 80's. When the USSR collapsed the Russians abandoned the town. Mongolia was in chaos and the Mongolians instead of moving into the buildings elected to destroy it for scrap. In a weird way this makes sense but it is without doubt the most depressing place I have ever seen. Unlike a war zone where the destruction takes place through external forces, here it has been internal forces. What really distressed me was that the trees which the Russians planted are in the process of being clear cut. I only took a few pictures. I found it all distasteful
Mardai skyline
Mardai skyline		 From this distance, the devastation is not apparent.
From this distance, the devastation is not apparent.		 Cows roam where people once lived
Cows roam where people once lived		 Destroyed apartments
Destroyed apartments
Flooded open pit uranium mine near Mardai
Flooded open pit uranium mine near Mardai

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Baatar Zogtiin Nagatz 31-Oct-2007 01:52
I agree with my Mongolian colleagues that your comments on this website are unprofessional. Furthermore, they are in error. I visited Mardai in 1996 having lived in the province for over one year. The Uranium mine was still in operation and Russians still lived in the place. I was unaware that it was ever abandoned and understand like Tsogoo that it was operated by Canadian or American firms. I don't know what source you have for your information, but glancing at the photos it appears that construction may not have been finished. This happened in several places in the country when Russian was no longer able to finance all of the projects it had planned. Mongolians may have recycled some of the construction materials in "Mardai", a practice also used in Choibalsan and other cities. If it is true that the Mardai mine is no longer in operation, I find it odd that you would expect rational people to move into buildings in a remote village where the only employer has closed. Finally, in rural and peri-urban areas in Mongolia, livestock roam freely. This is a sign of productive use of land. It is true that livestock at time eat young saplings and that given the price of fuel for heat, some trees are cut for personal use. However, cutting of trees is found in many countries and is by no means a source of internal destruction.
Tumur 01-Oct-2007 02:17
What do you mean? It is true that Mardai town was destroyed for scrap. I have been there and I am a Mongolian. Do you know anything about atomic bomb? At least you could improve your English before barking like this. What a shame.
Tsogoo 20-Jan-2007 17:59
this mardai is abondened. that's true. but what was that reason??? who know that??? but we knew that. Russians were use that uranium mine. and now Canadian and American company use that. it was difrence from final value??? No. Don't blame mongolians and russians. whenever, we'll owned that uranium mine-Mardai, we will enforce our status in the world. because we'll have A or H bomb!!! we will never be under gaint countries such as USA CANADA RUSSIA and finally, CHINA!!! if you are make a war agains us, you must understand that: all mongolians never lost thier "notinalist" (it means for the motherland or for the anti-foriegn) concept. we have officialy 500 thousond or less army. but if war faced us, we are whole soldiers!!!
Tsogoo 20-Jan-2007 17:49
Mongolia was in chaos and the Mongolians instead of moving into the buildings elected to destroy it for scrap - how can you wrote it form lies??? we are mongolians, we never scraped it. if you want to write others history, be sure explore it profesionally!!!
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