Vedanta: UK Company Accused of Multiple Violations

2 August 2005

This week sees the launch of a major critical report on India's largest mining company, Vedanta Resources plc, based in London. You can download the full report (as a low resolution, 374 Kb, pdf file) here. A higher resolution pdf file (6.6 Mb) is also available here

It's being presented by a group of dissident shareholders at the company's Annual General Meeting this week.

Publication of Report: “Ravages Through India”

UK-based mining company, VEDANTA RESOURCES PLC, is today accused of multiple human rights and environmental violations at its operations in India.

These include:

• Abusing the constitutional rights of tribal peoples
• Contravening orders of India’s Supreme Court
• Trespassing on protected forest land
• Ignoring basic health, safety and environmental standards
• Exploiting contract labour

The evidence is contained in a detailed report just published by Nostromo Research and the India Resource Center. The publication is supported by Mines, Minerals and People (India), Social Watch Tamil Nadu, the Environmental Investigation Agency (UK), and the India Committee of the Netherlands, Corporate Accountability Desk (India), The Other Media, Chennai/New Delhi, FIMCOTN: Fisher Movements Coordination of Tamilnadu & Pondicherry, and Human Rights - Tamilnadu Initiative.

The allegations are based on intensive research carried out in India between March and July this year.

Vedanta Resources plc was launched on the London Stock Exchange in December 2003 in a share float backed by HSBC, ABN AMRO, JP Morgan, Barclays capital, Deustsche Bank and others. Controlled by London-based Anil Agarwal and family, Vedanta is India’s biggest producer of zinc, its second largest producer of copper, and number three in aluminium.

The report will be presented by minority shareholders for response by the company at its Annual General Meeting, this Wednesday August 3rd at 3pm.

Venue: The City Presentation Centre, Chiswell St, London EC1

For further information call: Roger Moody on +44 (0)207 700 6189
Or email: partizans@gn.apc.org