TN Sterlite plant: Vedanta agrees to expert committee review for Tuticorin copper smelter reopening

Vedanta agrees to SC's suggestion on setting up expert committee

Mining company Vedanta filed a note at the Supreme Court, stating that it has agreed to the court's suggestion for an expert committee to evaluate whether the copper smelter plant in Tuticorin, Tamil Nadu can be reopened.

According to the note, which has been reviewed by Moneycontrol, the company has suggested that the committee of experts may comprise representatives of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change of India, National Environmental Engineering Research Institute, Central Pollution Control Board, Indian Institute of Technology, Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board, Vedanta representative and three independent experts.

Furthermore, the company has suggested that the Committee be chaired by a retired judge of the SC. "The Committee may be requested to submit its report within one month," the note said.

According to Vedanta, the committee should make recommendations and
suggest conditions for resumption of operations of its copper smelter plant. The committee may also suggest additional environmental safeguards, if required.

The note said "Pending receipt of the report the petitioners (Vedanta) may be permitted to carry out refurbishment, repair and maintenance of the unit at their risk and cost. However, this work will not involve any production activity. The refurbishment and repair contemplated will include furnace refractory relining, equipment repair and overhauling, safety assessment and structural corrections."

Vedanta has furthermore agreed to bear the costs that are likely to be incurred by the committee in addition to agreeing to cooperate in whatever way possible to give effect to the SC's order, if passed.  The company has requested that the case be adjourned till the committee's report comes up for consideration before the Supreme Court.

The Tamil Nadu government and the state's pollution control board are expected to respond to SC's suggestion shortly.

On February 14, the apex court orally observed that it could constitute a panel to study the feasibility of restarting the shut Sterlite copper smelting plant owned by Vedanta in Tamil Nadu's Tuticorin. However, no order was passed by the apex court on the constitution of the panel.

At the end of the hearing on February 14, the SC urged the lawyers for both Vedanta and the State to obtain instructions on the committee.

Background of the case:

In 2018, the Tamil Nadu government ordered the closure of Sterlite Copper after violent protests against the plant resulted in 13 deaths due to police firing. The government had cited violation of environmental norms as a reason for the closure.

The plant, at that time, was producing over 400,000 tonnes of metal ores annually and accounted for 40 percent of India's copper output. It also provided employment to 5,000 people directly and 25,000 indirectly.