London Mining Network

Holding the mining industry to account

Universities Superannuation Scheme faces ethical dilemma over strip-mining operation

Investment by the Universities Superannuation Scheme in a British mining company could damage an ancient forest sacred to an Indian tribe, activists say.
Survival International, a charity that supports tribal peoples, has been lobbying the main pension provider for academics to pull its investment from Vedanta for two years.
The company plans to open a bauxite mine [...]

Vedanta takes on critics of mining at India tribal site

London-based resource giant Vedanta has decided to take on its critics who have been attacking from all sides over its plans to mine an area in India held sacred by a tribal group.
See http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20100304/wl_sthasia_afp/indiabritainminingvedantarights.

Indian Environment Minister to review Vedanta clearances

Ramesh to review Posco, Vedanta clearances

Controversy-prone Indian minister for environment and forests Jairam Ramesh has now decided to review the forest clearances granted to Posco and Vedanta Resources. Both the giant Korean firm (Pohang Steel Company) and the UK-based Vedanta Resources have been pressing to start mining operations in Orissa. Their efforts have been stalled [...]

Vedanta raises Rs 17,000 crore debt for Orissa project

Vedanta Aluminium, a subsidiary of the billionaire Anil Agarwal-promoted Vedanta Resources, has raised a Rs 17,000-crore debt for its ongoing project in Orissa to increase its fully-integrated aluminium smelting capacity. (One crore is equivalent to ten million. 17,000 crore rupees is equivalent to nearly £2.5 billion sterling.)
See http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/vedanta-raises-rs-17000-cr-debt-for-orissa-project/386782/.

INDIA: Indigenous Groups Step Up Protests Over Mining Project

Indigenous Dongria Kondhs trekked to Niyam Dongar hill, the abode of their presiding deity Niyam Raja, and designated it as inviolate, meaning that they were stepping up their resistance to a controversial alumina refinery and bauxite mine project. They carried out religious rituals to Niyam Raja – the sacred dispenser of law – and then [...]

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