Vedanta seeks alternative source of bauxite

The Pioneer, Aug 28, 2010

PNS, Bhubaneswar

In the wake of Centre’s disapproval of Stage II environment clearance for the Niyamgiri bauxite mining project, Chief Operating Officer of Vedanta Aluminium Limited (VAL) Mukesh Kumar on Friday requested the State Government to give an alternative source of bauxite for its Aluminium Refinery unit at Langigarh in Kalahandi district.
Sources said Steel and Mines Department is seeking legal aspects to knock the door of the Supreme Court against the Ministry of Forest and Environment’s decision that disapproved the environment clearance. The Government is also examining to find out alternative sources of bauxites which would be given to the Vedanta Aluminum Limited (VAL).
It is to be noted that the VAL has already stopped its six million tonne expansion programme as per the direction of the MoEF. But it will continue with operations at the existing one million tonne refinery in Lanjigarh. Vedanta needs 3 million tonnes of bauxite to operate its one million tonne refinery.
With Niyamgiri source of bauxite stopped, the company looks for other sources of bauxite and is stated to have requested the State Government for the same. Before an agreement was signed between the Odisah Mining Corporation and Vedanta Resources owned Sterlite, Vedanta had given six sources for getting bauxite. These sources include Sashubohumali, Kuturumali, Bijimali and Sadarmali.

Pradeep Majhi suggests other mining sites for Vedanta
The Pioneer, Aug 28, 2010
PNS, Bhubaneswar
State Pradesh Youth Congress president and MP Pradeep Majhi on Thursday said Vedanta can look for alternative sites except Niyamgiri from where it can mine bauxite to feed its one million tonne alumina refinery at Lanjigarh in Kalahandi district.
He suggested the alternative sites of Kuturmali, Bijimali and Sabarmali hills which are in the periphery of Niyamgiri and there is no habitation of tribals in this region.
He said the Congress is not against industrialisation. There are many other hills where there are no tribals and that can be used by Vedanta which are only eight km from Niyamgiri. But it is clear that no mining activities would be allowed at Niyamgiri.

The Union Environment Ministry had rejected the environment clearance to Vedanta's bauxite mining project in the Nyamgiri hills citing serious violation of forest and environment laws.