Sterlite strikes Madras Excessive Court docket after TNPCB rejects inexperienced copper plan – Company Technique & Outlook

After the Tamil Nadu Air pollution Management Board (TNPCB) rejected a proposal by Vedanta for establishing a ‘Inexperienced Copper’ plant on the Thoothukudi Sterlite plant premises, the corporate has approached the Madras Excessive Court docket with a plea to quash the rejection order. The plant has been non-functional since 2018.

The Madras Excessive Court docket on Wednesday requested TNPCB and different respondents to file their replies in a writ petition filed by the corporate difficult the rejection of its software, a press release stated. The matter was heard by the First Bench comprising Chief Justice Manindra Mohan Shrivastava and Justice Arul Murugan in Vedanta’s writ petition difficult the TNPCB’s rejection of its software for ‘Consent to Function’ (CTO).

Senior Counsel Satish Parasaran, showing for Vedanta, argued that the rejection did not take into consideration the elemental variations between the sooner smelting operations and the newly proposed Inexperienced Copper undertaking. He submitted that the appliance was rejected “mechanically”, and not using a scientific or technical analysis of the brand new proposal. There must be a chance to clarify the advantages of Inexperienced Copper and the way it’s sustainable.

The Inexperienced Copper initiative, as offered earlier than the Court docket, is designed as a transformative hybrid manufacturing mannequin integrating 70 per cent main copper manufacturing with 30 per cent recycled copper utilization.

The undertaking proposes the usage of superior emission management programs meant to exceed present international requirements, considerably scale back emissions, minimise waste, and enhance each water and power effectivity. The corporate has additionally outlined a framework to transform the ability right into a web water-positive plant.

Emphasising the nationwide significance of copper manufacturing, Vedanta submitted that the undertaking aligns with the Union Ministry of Mines’ “copper imaginative and prescient” to strengthen home manufacturing, notably to fulfill rising demand from sectors similar to electrical automobiles (EVs) and renewable power. It additionally highlighted that previous to the closure of the Sterlite plant, India was an exporter of copper however has since changed into a web importer following the shutdown.

Vedanta has sought the structure of an unbiased skilled committee to scientifically study the proposal. The corporate urged the Court docket to think about appointing consultants from the Union Ministry of Surroundings, Forest and Local weather Change (MoEFCC), the Central Air pollution Management Board (CPCB), and the Ministry of Mines to undertake an in depth technical evaluation.