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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

Good news

In a landmark victory for indigenous rights, Vedanta's proposed mining project in the Niyamgiri Hills has been rejected by the India's Ministry of Environment and Forests. Many thanks to all of you who signed the petition and emailed the Minister.

Find out more about Amnesty's reaction

Update on Vedanta AGM

Thank you to all those who have signed our petition. We have collected more than 30,000 names worldwide and handed the petition to Vedanta Resources at their AGM on Wednesday 28 July. Read a blog post to get an insight into the AGM

    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.

      Why is there a problem?

      • The expansion of the mine and refinery has serious implications for the human rights of the surrounding communities, including their rights to water, food, health and work.
      • These communities have received little or no accurate information on the current mine and refinery, or the plans for expansion.
      • Vedanta and its subsidiary companies have ignored their concerns, breached state and national regulatory frameworks and failed to respect international standards and principles in relation to the human rights impact of their business.
      • Processes to assess the impact of the two projects on the local communities have been inadequate. Both the Orissa state and the Indian authorities have failed to respect and protect their human rights as required under international human rights law.