Orissadiary.com, June 27, 2009
Bhubaneswar : VAL has managed to set up a plant in Kalahandi ,a remote district of Orissa where a few dared to reach. With Orissa poised for rapid industrial development, all major industrial houses in steel, aluminum, power, port, ancillary and down stream industries in the state are trying hard to set up their base against all odds like to adopt environmental safeguards to attain the goal of sustainable industrialization. Few are still struggling but, Vedanta has already kickstarted and adopted trendsetting environmental safeguards and employed benchmark technology with best operational practices to develop one MTPA green field alumina refinery backed with Captive Power Plant of 90 MW at Lanjigarh in remote Kalahandi district as one of the world’s premier refinery plant in the country. VAL since its commencement has been obstinately contributing its effort towards the progress in Health, Safety & Environment (HSE) arena. Its HSE arrangement systems are designed to reflect best policies and raise bar continuously in line global benchmarks.
The company has always adhered to a zero discharge rule. The solid wastes generated are carefully deposited in red ponds or disposed of by applying scientific applications. Due to this, the impact on local bio-diversity has been minimal. The company is also emphasizing on zero accident and zero fatality in the refinery plant. It has adopted world class practices in safety, environment and quality. The company was awarded ISO 9001: 2008(QMS), ISO 14001: 2004(EMS) and OSHAS 18001-2002 certificates from BSI in Jan 2009 for safeguarding environmental hazards and creating conducive atmosphere for the employees. The ISO 14001 certification is an internationally accepted standard for effective Environmental Management System (EMS) to reduce environmental impact on water, air, land etc. Similarly ISO 9001:2008(QMS) is one of the world’s best quality frameworks that set the standard of quality management system and OSHAS 18001-2002 promotes a safe and healthy working environment by identifying and controlling health and safety risks.
Along with this VAL has undertaken extensive planting of pollutant resistant and fruit bearing trees in and around the project area to make area green. This will not only serve as a pollution sink & noise barrier but also enhance the bio-diversity of the surroundings. As per the preconditions set by the apex court, VAL has deposited Rs 55 crore as net present value for afforestation and forest preservation. VAL apart from adhering to stringent norms, not only ensures safeguarding of the ecology but also initiates steps towards enhancing the productivity of the soil in and around the plant site, so that the people can maintain their livelihood on a sustainable basis.
Recently Vedanta Aluminium, Lanjigarh was selected as the winner of the prestigious 'Golden Peacock Environment Management Award - 2009’, instituted by the World Environment Foundation (WEF) for its efforts in terms of effective implementation of environment management system and setting high standards in its management. Vedanta
Alumina refinery is the first Alumina Refinery in the country to become the Zero Discharge Refinery. The award is a testimony of relentless efforts by the VAL team members by ensuring the re-cycling process, of 100% treated or untreated effluents within the plant have reduced the dependency on external source of water to a greater extent, besides eliminating the contamination related diseases completely.
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