Vedanta Group Chairman Anil Agarwal Blames Foreigners for Tribal Resistance to Bauxite Mining Project

Two decades ago, Vedanta Group chairman Anil Agarwal observed a notable shift in the dynamics of local resistance to new investments, which he attributes to the influence of foreign communities. Since then, this resistance has substantially diminished.

Agarwal made the statement during an interaction with reporters here. Amid continued tribal opposition to its proposed bauxite mining project in Odisha’s Sijimali. The company, which has an alumina refinery at Lanjigarh in Kalahandi district and a smelter in the state’s Jharsuguda district, bagged the Sijimali bauxite reserve in February 2023.

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Vedanta had earlier faced rejection in its bid to mine bauxite from the nearby eco-sensitive Niyamgiri hills. Inhabited by the Dongria Kondhs, a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group who worship Niyam Raja as the supreme God of the Niyamgiri forest.

After two decades of contentious negotiations, the mining project at Sijimali bauxite mines has been stuck in limbo, with local tribals steadfast in their opposition. The state government's December approval of Stage-I in-principle clearance for the project's environmental impact assessment has done little to ease tensions.

As the mine's footprint – spanning over 708 hectares of forestland – remains a point of heated debate.

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Agarwal said the plans are at an advanced stage and he hopes bauxite production will increase significantly in the next 2-3 years. The Vedanta chairman also met Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and discussed his future investment plans in the state.

A statement issued by the Chief Minister’s, Office said. Majhi and Agarwal discussed the progress of Vedanta’s proposed Rs 1 lakh crore aluminium project in Odisha. Which includes a refinery at Rayagada and a smelter in Dhenkanal district.