The Hindu Business Line : Vendata expects speedy approval for bauxite mining

NEW DELHI: Mining giant Vedanta Resources on Sunday said it expects speedy clearance from the Centre for bauxite mining at the Niyamgiri hills in Orissa after the state government claimed the project would not cause any displacement of tribals.

“I hope the statement of the minister would expedite the process (of grant of the mining lease),” Vedanta Resources CEO, Mr M S Mehta said in a telephonic interview.

Orissa Steel and Mines Minister, Mr Raghunath Mohanty informed the Assembly last week that “not a single family of Dangaria Kandha tribe lived at the proposed mining area of Lanjigarh, located between Rayagada and Kalahandi districts” and there would be no displacement. The company is understood to be awaiting final clearance from the union environment ministry.

Vedanta Resources will enter into a joint venture with Orissa Mining Corporation for mining bauxite at the Niyamgiri hills to feed its upcoming alumina refinery at Lanjigarh in the state.

The proposed mining project has reportedly been facing protest from locals as well as international NGOs over allegation of tribal displacement.

Mr Mehta said, “The Minister's clarification should settle the undesirable and malicious debate which has been taking place at the behest of vested parties.” - PTI

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