Verdict on Vedanta – Sterlite Copper Unit by Supreme Court
Copper was the first metal to be worked by humans. It is a good conductor of heat and electricity and therefore – is widely used in electrical industry, constructions and machinery.
India is the second largest producer of copper in the world. All of the copper from India is produced by Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Jharkhand. Sterlite Industries, Hindalco Industries, and Hindustan Copper Ltd, – are major producers of refined copper in India. India recorded the highest refined copper consumption volume in 2019, which was over 526 thousand metric tons. In order to meet its demand, India is importing copper from Japan and other countries.
In the last two years, India’s copper industry has suffered a loss in production. It declined significantly due to the permanent closure order issued to Vedanta, a Sterlite Copper refinery plant in Thoothukudi, by the Government of Tamil Nadu in May 2018 – over violations of environmental laws. On December 2, the Supreme Court rejected the petition filed by Vedanta to allow the plant to restart temporarily to enable the court to monitor if the unit is causing pollution. Instead, it formed a three-judge bench to hear the case in January 2021.
