Latest news with #SterliteCopper
The Hindu
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Delay in issuance of community certificates affects tribal students
The members of 'Periyariya Unarvalarga Koottamaippu' submitted a petition at the weekly grievance meeting on Monday, urging the swift issuance of community certificates to the members of Scheduled Tribes Kattunayakkan community. A petition submitted by the Periyariya Unarvalargal Koottamippu's district coordinator Paul Prabhakaran stated that the members of Kattunayakkan community live in various parts of Thoothukudi district underprivileged conditions. Many students from this community are unable to continue their education due to the non availability of caste certificates. More than 100 individuals from areas such as Eral, Udangudi, Megnanapuram, Sathankulam, Tiruchendur and Alanthalai have applied for community certificates for their children's education, but have not yet received them. The petition urged the authorities to take immediate steps to issue caste certificates to the Kattunayakkan community members, considering the future of affected children. Another petition submitted by residents of Madathur village near Thoothukudi submitted a petition at the collectorate stating that around 300 youth from their village had been employed at the Sterlite Copper plant. Following the plant's closure, they lost their livelihoods and have been facing severe hardships. Citing the expert committee recommendations, that 'green restart' of the Sterlite Copper plant, with a more sustainable approach to production, they requested the government and district administration to take steps to reopen the Sterlite Copper plant using eco-friendly methods. The public grievance redressal meeting was chaired by Thoothukudi District Collector K. Elambahavath. Additional Collector (Development) R. Ishwarya, District Revenue Officer A. Ravichandran and other officials were present at the meeting.
New Indian Express
7 days ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Sterlite supporters want copper plant reopened
THOOTHUKUDI: Supporters of the closed Sterlite Copper plant met Thoothukudi Collector K Elambahavath on Wednesday, urging him to recommend reopening the facility, after experts proposed copper production using eco-friendly techno-logies. The proposal, prepared by former ICT Vice Chancellor Ganapati D Yadav and retired Anna University professor R Nagendran, recommends producing 70% copper from concentrate and 30% from recycled copper to reduce slag and emissions. It avoids production of phosphoric acid in the process, and sourcing water from desalination and Sewage Treatment Plant (STP). Members from various associations, including the Thoothukudi Livelihood Protection Federation, Industrial Suppliers Association, and the local traders, fishermen, and villagers, supported a hybrid production model. Supporter Ganesan said the hybrid model is sustainable and would boost Thoothukudi's economy. He urged the collector to consider and recommend the proposal to the state government. They claimed this method would minimize pollution and restore lost jobs for contractors, lorry operators, and others in the industrial chain. The Vedanta's Sterlite Copper plant was shut in 2018 following protests over environmental violations that led to the death of 15 civilians in police firing.
The Hindu
09-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
‘Take steps to reopen Sterlite Copper based on experts' recommendations'
The Sterlite Copper supporters said the district administration and the Tamil Nadu Government should take immediate steps for its re-opening after implementing the recommendations of the experts. In a petition submitted in the Collector's Office on Wednesday, the Sterlite Copper supporters said a team of experts had recently given their recommendations on the remedial measures to be taken for the 'green reopening and operation' of Sterlite Copper which remains closed since May 2018 after the anti-Sterlite protest became violent that led to the killing of 13 persons in police firing. These recommendations include environment conservation, sustainable and social development of the people of Thoothukudi and the development of industrial scenario in the port town. Since these recommendations are based on scientific facts, the State Government should take positive steps for implementing these suggestions to ensure the reopening of Sterlite Copper considering the livelihood of thousands of people associated with this factory. 'After the Sterlite Copper was closed down, thousands of people have been rendered jobless while the State and the Central Governments have suffered huge revenue loss. While importance is given for attracting foreign direct investments, due attention should be paid for conserving the domestic industries and reviving the closed down manufacturing units after taking due scientific remedial measures. Even as copper manufacturing is going on other States of India, Sterlite Copper has been allowed to erode and its workers have been forced to move to various parts of India in search of employment. Hence, the district administration, with the guidance of Tamil Nadu Government, should take positive steps for the early reopening of Sterlite Copper after allowing the factory management to translate the experts' recommendations into action,' the petition said. Thoothukudi People Livelihood Movement, Lorry Owners' Association, Sterlite Contract Workers' Union, Confederation of Thoothukudi District Micro, Small and Medium Industries, Confederation of Women Self-Help Groups of Thoothukudi District and various fishermen cooperative societies had signed in the petition submitted in the Collector's Office.
The Hindu
04-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Expert panel engaged by Vedanta recommends ‘green restart' of Sterlite Copper plant in Thoothukudi
A two-member expert committee, engaged in preparing a report for mining company Vedanta, has recommended a 'green restart' of its Sterlite Copper smelter plant in Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu. The report, prepared by Ganapati D. Yadav, emeritus professor and former Vice Chancellor, Institute of Chemical Technology, Mumbai, and R. Nagendran, retired Professor of Environmental Engineering, Anna University, Chennai, and former expert member, National Green Tribunal (NGT), proposes the plant can resume operations under stricter environmental regulations and with a more sustainable approach to production. The company said its representatives recently handed over a copy of the report to Chief Minister M.K. Stalin. The Sterlite Copper plant in Thoothukudi was shut down in May 2018 after prolonged protests by locals and activists, which escalated following a police crackdown on an anti-Sterlite rally that led to the deaths of 13 civilians. Key recommendations Key recommendations of the expert committee include the adoption of a hybrid production model, which would see 30% of the copper produced through recycling, significantly reducing slag generation by 15% and hazardous waste by 40%. 'The hybrid production model is expected to significantly reduce the environmental impact. Specifically, the use of recycled copper would lower the need for copper concentrate processing, which is the primary source of slag generation in smelting operations. Since recycling eliminates the ore-to-metal conversion stage, the generation of slag will be much less,' the report states. Further, the report proposes the closure of the phosphoric acid plant, which will reduce bulk material handling and environmental impact by eliminating 22 lakh tonnes per annum of materials. The committee also recommends advanced emission controls, such as increasing stack height and improving gas capture systems. To minimise freshwater consumption, the report suggests increasing the use of desalinated water to 80%, recycling 100% of the process water, utilising municipal wastewater (3000 m³/day) and sharing treated water with nearby villages, to enhance community goodwill. To ensure transparency and community welfare, the report says, the plant's reopening would include the formation of a Local Management Committee, composed of community, panchayat, and plant representatives. It also suggests creating a ₹100-crore corpus with Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds for schools, hospitals, women and youth skilling, and environmental improvements.
Arabian Post
02-07-2025
- Business
- Arabian Post
India advances battery‑metal security with Zambia mission
A specialised Indian geological team has been dispatched to Zambia to commence a three‑year survey of copper and cobalt within a 9,000 km² exploration zone. The initiative, authorised by the Zambian government earlier this year, aligns with New Delhi's broader drive to shore up supplies of strategic minerals essential for its energy‑transition and technological ambitions. Zambia, a major exporter of copper—Africa's second‑largest producer after the Democratic Republic of Congo—and a significant cobalt reserve, represents a strategic asset in India's efforts to diversify away from dependence on imports. The geological team will visit the site periodically to conduct field surveys, while most sample analysis will be carried out in Indian laboratories. Khanij Bidesh India Ltd, a joint venture of state‑run firms under the Ministry of Mines, is coordinating the operation. From groundwork through to feasibility analysis, the mission is designed to assess the mineral potential and commercial viability of the designated area. On successful evaluation, the government plans to initiate mining lease negotiations with Zambia, with possible invitations to private mining companies to join the project. ADVERTISEMENT Part of a broader strategic push, this mission extends New Delhi's resource diplomacy to several regions. India is already in discussions with the Democratic Republic of Congo over cobalt and copper, and exploring similar agreements with nations in Australia and Latin America. The drive carries urgency, driven by global copper shortages and a sharp rise in India's import volumes—1.2 million tonnes in the fiscal year to March 2025, up 4 per cent—and a 20 per cent increase in cobalt‑oxide imports to 693 tonnes. Economists and industry analysts describe India's move as a calculated bid to reduce vulnerability to volatile mineral markets. Closure of the Sterlite Copper smelter in 2018 heightened India's reliance on external suppliers and added urgency to securing alternative sources. Copper underpins infrastructure, electronics and clean‑energy generation, while cobalt is indispensable to electric‑vehicle batteries and mobile electronics. Zambian officials have signalled intent to revive their mining sector, opening doors to foreign investors against a backdrop of policy uncertainty and infrastructure deficits. The 9,000 km² zone dedicated to India is reportedly one of the largest allocations of mineral exploration land in recent years. This offer comes at a time when Zambia is courting new investment to drive economic recovery through mining exports. Industry experts note that while Zambia dominates regional copper output, cobalt reserves have been less explored. Opportunity exists for India to build a vertically integrated supply chain, encompassing raw‑material extraction, downstream processing and technology deployment for the battery and clean‑energy sectors. Government‑to‑government mining partnerships like this underscore India's evolving strategy of direct resource engagement. KABIL's existing MoUs across Africa and Latin America support this, enabling access to mineral assets via diplomatic and trade frameworks. They view it as a hedge against market risk and supply‑chain tightening in critical minerals. From a policy standpoint, securing access to copper and cobalt supports India's vanishing import dependency strategy. It aligns with its ambitions in electric‑vehicle manufacturing, green‑energy infrastructure and data‑centre expansion. Copper's role in power grids and electronics places it at the heart of these ambitions, while cobalt's limited global supply renders it increasingly valuable. Multiple visits by the geological team over the coming years aim to refine resource estimates, metallurgical benchmarks and environmental considerations. Laboratory results in India will shape next steps, including leasing decisions and private partnership structures. Observers believe that this model, blending government oversight with private participation, could set a standard for state‑to‑state resource deals.
