A bench headed by Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan heard the company, the Orissa Mining Corporation (OMC) and the state government regarding the crucial issues like the role of the special purpose vehicle, setting up of a fund for the development of the scheduled area, and how the contribution of the company for this purpose should be calculated.
The order is likely to be delivered next week.
Sterlite Industries, the parent firm of the London-listed Vedanta Resources, wants clearance for mining bauxite from eco-sensitive Niyamgiri hill area for its proposed Rs 4,000-crore aluminium project.
Sterlite has sought clearance to the forest diversion proposal, submitted by OMC, for diversion of 660.749 hectare of forest land to undertake bauxite mining for its alumina plant. This has led to violent protests by displaced persons.
The company has agreed to deposit with the special purpose vehicle
