Vedanta is “ramping up” its copper production at Zambia’s biggest mine despite rising costs, in the hope that it can drive down prices from its suppliers. This is virtually certain to result in lay-off of workers. And – according to a World Bank expert – despite the expansion, new orders just won’t arrive. Meanwhile – despite recent reports to the contrary, the Zambian government says it still plans to impose higher taxes on companies – such as Vedanta – which have benefited from cut-price privatisations in the recent past.