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Generalisations omissions assumptions: the failings of Vedanta’s environmental impact assessments for its bauxite mine and alumina refinery in India’s state of Orissa

This report highlights deficiencies in the Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) undertaken by Vedanta Resources Plc for its proposed bauxite mine in Niyamgiri, Orissa, its alumina refinery in Lanjigarh, Orissa, and the proposed expansion of this refinery. Vedanta Resources Plc is a UK-registered mining company with strong Indian connections. It owns and controls subsidiaries in India that are engaged in mining and refining activities in the state of Orissa. The company has come under growing national and international scrutiny in recent years, owing to allegations of human rights abuses associated with these operations. Throughout this report ‘Vedanta’ is used to refer to the corporate group, including the entities operating in Orissa under the effective management control of Vedanta Resources Plc.