A subsidiary of  controversy-dogged UK mining company Vedanta Resources has suffered not just one – but two – serious setbacks in its attempts to portray itself as “accident free”. On Tuesday 15 May, Vedanta Aluminium Ltd (VAL) was to receive the prestigious Silver Award from the UK’s Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) at a ceremony in Birmingham, Britain’s second largest city. This was based on claims, made by VAL to RoSPA, that no-one had been seriously injured at its Lanjigarh bauxite refinery in Orissa during the last reporting period. But, in fact, a VAL employee died in a fire at the Lanjigarh site last month, and several others were injured. Now, in response to vociferous criticisms by activists in India and the UK, including colleagues in London Mining Network, RoSPA has withheld the award, pending further investigation of the company’s safety record. The British Safety Council (BSC) has also suspended making a similar award to VAL at a gala banquet to be held in London last Friday.

See http://www.minesandcommunities.org/article.php?a=11702.

A Third Strike finds Anil Agarwal “Out”: London Calling on new humiliation of Vedanta boss

Yet again, London-listed Vedanta Resources, and its head honcho Anil Agarwal, have fallen foul of international standards. Last week, its VAL subsidiary in Orissa had prestigious awards withdrawn – almost at the last minute – by two UK safety watchdogs. Now we learn that two global industry organisations also pulled their nomination of Mr Agarwal on learning about his company’s sullied record – this time as a “leader” in promoting “business ethics”.

See http://www.minesandcommunities.org/article.php?a=11714.

See http://www.mining.com/2012/05/10/olympic-games-protesters-attack-rio-tinto-in-canada-and-australia/.

Yet another group of government workers has taken umbrage at the prospect of a deal with Vedanta – this time in Orissa. Last month, staff at child nutrition centres in Karnataka revolted against a move to place the UK company in charge of a government feeding programme. Now, employees at state-run Nalco are protesting against the prospective sale of their alumina to Vedanta’s Jharsaguda smelter. The workers maintain that Nalco “will not only lose precious foreign exchange leading to fall in its profit, it would also pave the way for Nalco’s privatisation. We will not allow this to happen”.

See http://www.minesandcommunities.org/11674.

See also Vedanta pollution: 22 died of TB in a village, allege tribals, http://www.cgnetswara.org/index.php?id=10774.

Two and a half years ago, Vedanta’s BALCO subsidiary was accused of illegally constructing a coal-fired power plant whose chimney collapsed, killing at least forty two workers in the Indian township of Korba, Chhattisgarh. Critics claim the UK-listed company then proceeded to build a replacement plant without obtaining necessary permits.

Last weekend, these allegations were confirmed by documents obtained under India’s Right to Information Act, leading the mayor of Korba to declare: “We have strongly objected and sought to dismantle the illegal construction in the past. Notices have been issued to Balco repeatedly and stiff fines imposed. Better speak to the police why no action has been taken after the complaints were lodged”.

See http://www.minesandcommunities.org/article.php?a=11651.

The decision seems effectively to put the highly-controversial Nyamgiri mine project on indefinite hold.

However, while clearly describing the ruses employed by Vedanta to get both projects officially approved, a regional peoples’ organisation issues a stark warning: “..Vedanta might try all other tricks to accomplish its dirty agenda…[It] might find a back door [by coming] up with a joint venture project with L&T to mine Kutru Mali and Silji Mali near Kashipur to feed its Lanjigarh plant…”

See http://www.minesandcommunities.org/article.php?a=11646.

See also Indian tribe’s Avatar-like battle against mining firm reaches supreme court, http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/apr/08/indian-tribe-avatar-supreme-court?newsfeed=true

and Court to rule on mining plan, http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/news/court-to-rule-on-mining-plan-7626978.html.

See http://www.minesandcommunities.org/article.php?a=11534.

See http://www.livemint.com/2012/02/28230237/Vedanta-told-to-get-public-nod.html?atype=tp.

See http://www.minesandcommunities.org/article.php?a=11462&l=1.

See http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-01-19/bhubaneswar/30642318_1_review-petition-vedanta-aluminum-alumina-refinery.

Now, a civil society organization (Odisha Water Initiatives – OWI) which pledges to protect water supplies for the people of Orissa (Odisha), provided evidence of numerous instances where the company illegally extracted water from rivers and reservoirs.

But, even when fined for these violations, the company failed to pay the penalties – now amounting to some US$2 million.

See http://www.minesandcommunities.org/article.php?a=11395.

Kazakhmys is the world’s 10th-largest copper miner, while Eurasian Natural Resources Corp is the world’s largest ferrochrome producer and a major producer of iron ore, alumina and aluminium. Both companies are listed in London.

Glencore-controlled Kazzinc, formed in 1997 by the merger of three lead and zinc plants, is the largest zinc producer in the former Soviet Union. It also mines precious metals and copper.

See http://www.minesandcommunities.org/article.php?a=11271&l=1.

See http://www.internationalrivers.org/blog/lori-pottinger/2011-9-26/africas-energy-future-heading-down-dark-tunnel.

The Cuttack bench of the Orissa High Court backed the environment ministry and ordered that Vedanta would have to apply afresh for a clearance for expansion if it wants to.

See http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-09-17/india/30168402_1_bauxite-mining-project-environment-clearance-vedanta.

The Corus Group has also been looking at opportunities to set up aluminium manufacturing facilities in Orissa. Officials said Corus is examining the possibility of setting up a value added aluminium production facility in Orissa.

Rio Tinto has also been negotiating since 1995 with the state government to develop iron ore deposits in a joint venture.

See http://www.mineweb.com/mineweb/view/mineweb/en/page72068?oid=134138&sn=Detail&pid=102055.