bauxite mining and alumina refinery

Bauxite mining and alumina refinery

the refinery has commenced operations, but mining has not yet commenced because a required forest clearance permission has not yet been issued

the refinery has commenced operations, but mining has not yet commenced because a required forest clearance permission has not yet been issued

Vedanta Limited Alumina Refinery Lanjigarh Project

Vedanta Ltd, formerly Sesa Sterlite Limited, is the Indian subsidiary of Vedanta Resources Plc, a London-listed company. Vedanta Limited (Vedanta Ltd) is a diversified natural resources company, whose business primarily involves exploring and processing minerals and oil & gas. The Company produces oil & gas, zinc, lead, silver, copper, iron ore, aluminium and commercial power and has a presence across India, South Africa, Namibia, Ireland, Australia, Liberia and Sri Lanka.

Niyamgiri Hill in Lanjigarh, Orissa is home to several ‘Primitive Tribal Groups’ that have special status in the Indian Constitution as among the most vulnerable indigenous communities with distinct culture and customs.

initially there was no consultation and local people reported that the company had started clearing the land without informing them. Later on, consultations were held

initially there was no consultation and local people reported that the company had started clearing the land without informing them. Later on, consultations were held Between 800-1,000 people attended the hearing and the majority of them were in favour of it (expansion),” said additional district magistrate Sashadhar Nayak, who will be signing off on the report. Read more at: https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/indl-goods/svs/metals-mining/sesa-sterlite-gets-nod-for-lanjigarh-expansion/articleshow/39410409.cms?utm_source=contentofinterest&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=cppst

In August 2013, nearly six years after the refinery was commissioned, Vedanta’s aluminium project suffered a setback when the 12 tribal villages on Niyamgiri hill did not give their consent for the mining project on the grounds that the hill was holy to them. Read more at: https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/indl-goods/svs/metals-mining/sesa-sterlite-gets-nod-for-lanjigarh-expansion/articleshow/39410409.cms?utm_source=contentofinterest&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=cppst

Environmental Degradation: deforestation, air pollution, water pollution, severe and irreversible effects on ecological characteristics and biodiversity of the area Socio-economic: sustainable livelihood activities such as farming, fishing, and forest product gathering are disturbed and/or no longer available to the Lanjigarh locals affected by the project Cultural loss: destruction of sacred hill/forests Violence: Some of those who opposed were threatened into accepting. Those who refused found their homes bulldozed and they were forcibly moved to relocation camps.

initially no compensation, later on the company started organising a rehabilitation project in the area

cash compensation (25-50% higher than minimum requirements per acre of land), relocation village

cash compensation (25% higher than minimum requirements but some of those who received it were forced or regretted it); relocation village (largely abandoned being deemed unsuitable for villagers' needs);

According to company website (https://www.vedantalimited.com/Pages/Lanjigarh.aspx): Education: Provision of support to 6 government schools with teachers and Karate Class; Shiksha Sambal (coaching program for under-privileged students of the local community); Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) program Community Infrastructures: enabling villages with the development of basic infrastructure like drinking water projects, local drains, community centres, etc. Roads: Approach roads Health: Vedanta Hospital with Mobile Health Unit; Swachhta Bharat Mission (Community Led Total Sanitation); Vedanta Baljyoti Eye Health Program; support to Maa Santoshi Jankalyan Hospital Other: Project Dhokra (reviving the long-lost traditional art forms of Odisha); provision of support to youth sports of volleyball, cricket, football, badminton, and archery

Sachetan Nagarik Manch (SNM), ActionAid, Adim Adhikar Surakshya Manch

Conservation: The Mountain of Niyamgiri is protected under Section 18 of the Indian Wildlife Act as an area of extraordinary natural beauty. The forest covering the mountain has been officially recognised for its rich wildlife population. Niyamgiri was proposed as a wildlife sanctuary by Ministry of Environment and Forests in 1998. In 2004, The Orissa government declared it an elephant reserve. Other: Niyamgiri Hill is a sacred land for the tribes

Alumina Refinery Plant

The refinery plant is sourcing its water from Tel River.

The women’s network is particularly strong in opposing the project. On March 1, 2007 local women gathered under the banner of the Adim Adhikar Surakshya Manch in a clearing near Bijapur to voice their concerns. One of the company's CSR projects is on women empowerment thru Sakhi (Women SHG Promotion, Stregthening, and IGA inclusion).

Areas such as the Niyamgiri Hills enjoy special measures of protection under Schedule V of India’s Constitution. Plans to mine for bauxite at Niyamgiri have met with local and international opposition. Orissa state government has invited foreign and domestic investors in the context of an investment plan for mining and industry (2015) The deal pertaining to the industry site is still active but the mining has been put to a stop because the company fails to have an environmental clearance

(2015) The deal pertaining to the industry site is still active but the mining has been put to a stop because the company fails to have an environmental clearance.