(RTTNews) - Mining giant Vedanta Resources Sunday said it had urged the Centre to expedite speedy clearance of bauxite mining at the Niyamgiri hills in Orissa, after the state government claimed that the project would not cause any displacement of tribals, media reports say.

Orissa Steel and Mines Minister, Raghunath Mohanty last week said in the Assembly that none from Dangaria Kandha tribe living at the proposed mining area of Lanjigarh, located between Rayagada and Kalahandi districts,would be displaced.

The company is awaiting final clearance from the union environment ministry.
Vedanta Resources will enter into a joint venture with Orissa Mining Corporation for mining bauxite at the Niyamgiri hills to feed its upcoming alumina refinery at Lanjigarh in the state.

The proposed mining project has been facing protests from locals as well as international NGOs over allegation of tribal displacement.

Vedanta Resources Chief Executive Officer M.S. Mehta said: The minister's clarification should settle the undesirable and malicious debate, which has been taking place at the behest of vested parties."

by RTT Staff Writer

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