Vedanta mine threatens indigenous communities

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We have been living here for generations,
how can the government now just say that it is their land
and decide to allow mining without talking to us?

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L., at the Dongria Kondh hamlet of Lakpaddar

Vedanta's attempts to overturn Orissa mine decision should not succeed

Vedanta's attempts to overturn the Indian government's decision to block the proposed bauxite mine and expansion of the alumina refinery in Orissa, India, should not be allowed to succeed. 

Our report: 'Generalisations, Omissions, Assumptions', reveals that the company has failed to adequately consider the human impacts of its proposed projects in Orissa.

Villagers were given scant and misleading information about the potential impact of Vedanta's proposals.  Today they are living with a massive refinery in the middle of their community.  The air is choked with dust and the refinery's toxic waste pond is right beside the local river.

News

Our campaign on Vedanta

UK-based mining company Vedanta Resources is threatening the human rights of indigenous communities in the Indian state of Orissa. The company is planning to mine bauxite in the Niyamgiri Hills and expand its alumina refinery at the foot of the Hills, in Lanjigarh.

      Good news - Vedanta refinery expansion rejected

      In October 2010, the India's Ministry of Environment and Forests rejected a six-fold expansion of the refinery in the Lanjigarh area, proposed by Vedanta Aluminium, finding that the project violated the country's environmental laws.

      Residents of 12 villages who live in the shadow of the massive refinery - mostly Majhi Kondh adivasi (indigenous) and Dalit communities who rely on agriculture for their livelihoods - have long campaigned against the expansion, arguing it would further pollute their land and water.

      Find out more about Amnesty's reaction

      Communities threatened by Vedanta's toxic leaks

      Thousands of  families in India face serious risk from threats of leaks from Vedanta's red mud pond.

      Levels within the pond have risen, amidst reports of two leaks in March and April 2011, threatening the communities' safety, health and livelihoods. The local communities fear that they could face a grave situation in the event of a breach of the pond.