Hope emerges for Vedanta to mine in Niyamgiri

The Pioneer, Oct 4, 2010
PNS | Bhubaneswar

With the Supreme Court raised finger at the decision of the Union Government that cancelled the forest clearances for the mining at the Niyamgiri hills, a ray of hope has now emerged for the Vedanta Aluminum Limited (VAL) to have the permission again to mine the largest bauxite reserve in the country.

Notably, on Friday during a hearing on Noida Park Memorial Project, taking cognizance of the withdrawal of the forest and environment approvals, the Supreme Court ruled that the Central Government should not have cancelled the same when it had given permission to mine the Niyamgiri hills earlier. Passing an order to the Attorney General, the SC said the Union Government be informed not to analyse the orders passed by it. It is to be noted the Green Bench of the Supreme Court had given permission for mining at Niyamgiri in 2008.

In its remarks, the bench headed by Chief Justice SH Kapadia said if the Centre found any violation of law in Niyamgiri, it should have brought it to the notice of the court first before taking a decision.

It is to be noted that after cancellation of earlier approvals and denial of stage II environment clearances, the Ministry of Environment and Forest had on August 31 issued showcause notice to the VAL asking it why is refinery project would not be cancelled on the allegation that the its sourcing of bauxite from 11 mines did not have clearances. The VAL has also submitted its reply to the MoEF.