Mongolia is home to three million people - more than half are nomadic herders, reliant on the land for survival. It's vast landscape, freezing winters and scorching summers make it a difficult place to live. 　　But more and more foreign investors are coming to Mongolia for what lies underground. The country is thought to have large untapped reserves of gold and minerals. 　　Many mines are already operating and an environmentalist from Bagakhailast gold mine says many aren't being properly monitored. Mongolian Environmental specialist at Bagakhailaast gold mine, Nominudraa said "Many mining companies do not refill old pits as they produce gold from new pits, as the law states they should. 　　This is causing widespread environmental damage. But our mine does remediation work at the same time as producing, which has been very successful. 　　" 18 mines were closed earlier this year after pressure from environmentalists. The government has also banned mining near rivers and forests. But the new law is difficult to enforce. 　　One Russian mining firm left a 60 metre hole after it went bust. Herder Chultemochir Bazar said, "We herders will lose our pastureland if mining continues to increase here. 　　Two mining companies in the valleys near here built their mines next to deep wells, so the water will dry up." The Mongolian Trade Company employs 200 staff and operates around the clock. It's one of the companies benefitting from the current high gold prices although it's General Director appreciates the boom times may not last. 　　General director of Mondulaan Trade Co. Ltd, Lkhamsuren Shukhert said, "The price of gold has risen steadily for the last three years. Of course, this is excellent news for us gold producers. 　　But we are afraid that the price might fall just as sharply as it rose." The IMF predicts Mongolia's GDP could grow by as much as 10 percent this year. 　And the government's hopes mining can help end poverty. But many are wondering what the cost will be to the environment.