SC reserves judgement on Vedanta's mining project in Orissa

26 July 2008

Mumbai: The Supreme Court today concluded hearings on a case filed by local people against Vedanta Resources' open-cast mine project in the Niyamgiri hills in Orissa.

The bauxite is meant to feed the aluminium smelter of Vedanta subsidiary Sterlite Industries there.

The court is expected to issue a written order on the ''modalities and conditions" under which mining could proceed,  ActionAid, which has been campaigning against the mine, said.

The Supreme Court, however, did not give a date for delivering the judgement.

The court had earlier asked Sterlite to draw up a rehabilitation and environmental protection package as a condition for giving the green light to the mining project.

Sterlite has agreed to pay compensation to tribals displaced by the mine and has promised to spend five per cent of the profits from the bauxite mine and its smelter nearby, on rehabilitation.