Mining operations in Vizag to be kept on hold
After the bold action taken by the Union Environment and Forest Ministry against Vedanta’s plans to mine bauxite in Orissa, the clutch of bauxite and alumina projects in Visakhapatnam district in Andhra Pradesh may now feel the heat.
Already, there is lurking fear in the bauxite mining and alumina refining industry that their projects could be next in the firing line by the Ministry as the issues were akin to those raised in the case of Vedanta.
These include impact on indigenous tribal communities, ecologically sensitive region, rich flora and fauna and water sources, besides violations of Forest laws. Union Mines Minister B. K. Handique made it clear that the commencement of bauxite mining operations in Visakhapatnam will be kept on hold till issues raised by the latter were addressed.
The Environmental Impact Assessment report for the Araku region would be re-evaluated.