NIYAMGIRI MINE BELONGS TO ORISSA MINING CORPORATION

Not many people understand that actually Orissa Mining Corporation, Government of Orissa, owns the Niyamgiri mine in Kalahandi, Orissa. The bauxite mine at Niyamgiri was allotted to Orissa Mining Corporation by the Ministry of Mines, Government of India. Government of Orissa, agreed to provide bauxite to Vedanta's Aluminium Ltd's Alumina Refinery at Lanjigarh, Kalahandi, Orissa.

It was Ministry of Environment & Forests, Government of India and Government of Orissa only who presented extensive affidavits to Hon'ble Supreme Court of India, when certain vested interests filed PILs against the bauxite mining project. The project was cleared by the Hon'ble Supreme Court of India after deliberations of over 2 year period, during which the Hon'ble Court obtained reports from Wildlife Institute of India and Central Mine Planning & Design Institute, covering all aspects, including water, environment, wildlife, tribal issues, ecology etc.

While granting judgement, Hon'ble Court's also came out with a unique model for development of local people, to ensure inclusive growth - 5% of the profit or Rs. 10 crore, whichever is higher, to be utilized for the development of the region. The company has also complied with the same. Based on the direction of the Hon'ble Court, Rs.20 Crores has already been deposited by Sterlite Industries (I) Ltd. and the development work has commenced in the area.

When there will be no displacement due to mining in Niyamgiri and as this has also been conformed by Government of Orissa, the question of rehabilitation issue does not arise. There is also no adverse impact on the Dongria Kondh tribes who live several miles away from the proposed mining site. The allegations about Dongria Kondh tribes being affected, made repeatedly by those with vested interests, is primarily an effort to stop bauxite mining in Orissa. Their agenda is not to allow development of India's natural resources. These forces have been successful so far and thats the reason, no new alumina refinery has been set-up in India after NALCO, which was about 25 years ago. Vedanta Aluminium Ltd. refinery is the only alumina refinery set-up since 1980s.

The Ministry of Environment & Forests had asked Government of Orissa for conformation of compliances with Forest Conservation Act 1980 and Scheduled Tribe and Other Forests Dwellers (Recognition of Right) Act 2006 and the Government of Orissa has conformed compliance in this regard as well. Between August 2008 to August 2009, Stage - I clearance from Ministry of Environment & Forests, GOI, Environment Clearance from MOEF and Stage - II Clearance from State Government of Orissa have also been obtained. Forest Advisory Committee has already approved this proposal. As all statutory compliances have been carried out, what is awaited is the final clearance from Ministry of Environment & Forests, Government of India.