New Delhi: Update on Niyamgiri Bauxite Mining
The Ministry of Environment and Forests ("MOEF") in a statement issued today refused the final approval to the Orissa Mining Corporation ("OMC") proposal for the bauxite mining at Niyamgiri hills, in the state of Orissa, following recommendation of Dr NC Saxena committee.
In response to the certain allegations raised in the report, Vedanta Resources plc ("Vedanta" or The "Company") reconfirms that there has been no regulatory violations of any kind at the Lanjigarh Alumina refinery.
To recap the background, in October 2004, the Government of Orissa signed a Memorandum of Understanding ("MoU") with Vedanta for setting up an integrated Alumina and Aluminium complex along with the associated captive power plant in the state of Orissa. This MoU also included supplying 150 million tonnes of bauxite for the Vedanta's alumina refinery at Lanjigarh. Towards this the Government of Orissa identified Niyamgiri mine as the initial source of bauxite supply to the extent of 78 million tonnes.
The MOU with the OMC was to encourage investment in world class bauxite deposits. The natural resource rich state of Orissa has the fourth largest reserves of bauxite deposits in the world; however no new alumina refinery has been set up in the region in the last 25 years. The Kalahandi district, where the company's Alumina Refinery is located is one of the most backward districts in the country. As at 31 March 2010, Vedanta had invested c.US$5.4 billion in its Aluminium projects in Orissa. Around 10,000 people are employed at the Lanjigarh alumina refinery plant. Vedanta is currently operating its Alumina refinery with outsourced bauxite.
Vedanta remains committed to working with the local communities to ensure sustainable development in this region.
The Ministry of Environment and Forests ("MOEF") in a statement issued today refused the final approval to the Orissa Mining Corporation ("OMC") proposal for the bauxite mining at Niyamgiri hills, in the state of Orissa, following recommendation of Dr NC Saxena committee.
In response to the certain allegations raised in the report, Vedanta Resources plc ("Vedanta" or The "Company") reconfirms that there has been no regulatory violations of any kind at the Lanjigarh Alumina refinery.
To recap the background, in October 2004, the Government of Orissa signed a Memorandum of Understanding ("MoU") with Vedanta for setting up an integrated Alumina and Aluminium complex along with the associated captive power plant in the state of Orissa. This MoU also included supplying 150 million tonnes of bauxite for the Vedanta's alumina refinery at Lanjigarh. Towards this the Government of Orissa identified Niyamgiri mine as the initial source of bauxite supply to the extent of 78 million tonnes.
The MOU with the OMC was to encourage investment in world class bauxite deposits. The natural resource rich state of Orissa has the fourth largest reserves of bauxite deposits in the world; however no new alumina refinery has been set up in the region in the last 25 years. The Kalahandi district, where the company's Alumina Refinery is located is one of the most backward districts in the country. As at 31 March 2010, Vedanta had invested c.US$5.4 billion in its Aluminium projects in Orissa. Around 10,000 people are employed at the Lanjigarh alumina refinery plant. Vedanta is currently operating its Alumina refinery with outsourced bauxite.
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Vedanta remains committed to working with the local communities to ensure sustainable development in this region.
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