SC defers hearing on Niyamgiri case to Dec 6

The Supreme Court (SC) on Monday deferred the hearing on the petition challenging cancellation of forest clearance of Niyamgiri bauxite mine belonging to Odisha Mining Corporation (OMC).

This mine is critical for the Lanjigarh alumina refinery of Vedanta Aluminium (VAL), which had entered into a joint venture agreement with OMC for sourcing of bauxite for the project.

The apex court has fixed the next date of hearing on December 6, which could be the concluding date of hearing of the case, said Saswat Mishra, Chairman cum Managing Director, OMC.

VAL on September 5, has already sent a closure notice to the state labour commissioner and industries department for closure of its Lanjigarh alumina refinery from December 5 citing unavailability of bauxite.