Vedanta's tryst with protests and industrial turmoils

British mining and energy conglomerate Vedanta Resources Plc's projects have seen many protests from activists and NGOs. A look:
 

The company and its founder
Vedanta Resources plc is a global diversified metals and mining company with its headquarters in London, United Kingdom. Vedanta has the largest mining and non-ferrous metals unit in India and has mining operations in Australia and Zambia, along with oil and gas operations. It mainly deals in copper, zinc, aluminium, lead, iron ore and petroleum.
Anil Agarwal is the founder and Chairman of Vedanta Resources Plc. He controls Vedanta Resources Plc through Volcan Investments, a holding vehicle with a 61.7% stake in the business. His net worth is an estimated $3.3 billion.

Tuticorin protest
Sterlite Copper is the Indian copper-producing unit of Vedanta, Ltd, which was established in 1997. The smelter is located within the State Industrial Promotion Corporation of Tamil Nadu complex in Melavittan, Tuticorin district.
Protests started in the unit when the residents and environmentalist objected to it its decision to double the capacity of its smelter. According to environmentalists, the plant poses risk to the local fishing industry. Eleven people were killed in the clash after agitators went on a rampage, prompting the police to open fire.

The Niyamgiri issue
The refinery and its proposed long-term bauxite source in Niyamgiri hills was caught in a controversy since the beginning as the local Dongria Kondh tribals opposed the projects.
The government later scrapped the environmental clearance given to Vedanta. The Supreme Court asked the tribals to take a call. Following which, villagers in 12 gram sabhas rejected the mining proposal.

Church of England takes a stand
Following the massive protest in Niyamgiri issue, Church of England sold its 3.8m stake in Vedanta in 2010 over violation of human rights. The church in a note said that the Church was dissatisfied with what the company did.
Similarly, a $350 billion sovereign wealth fund run by the Norway government sold its entire stake in Vedanta in 2007 following alleged environmental and human rights violations.

Investors join in
For years, Vedanta has seen NGOs and activists protest outside the venues of its annual general meetings in an attempt to draw media attention as well as influence shareholders against investing in the projects that allegedly flouted environment rules and rights of local people. In the past, investors have questioned the management on issues of human rights, safety and environmental pollution. In 2011, nearly one-third of the investors voted against increasing directors' remuneration.

Zambian protests
Nearly 2,000 Zambian villagers took Vedanta to court for alleged pollution in their villages. The villagers told the London's Court of Appeal that their land and livelihood was in danger due to extensive water pollution caused by the company's copper Mine. They accused the company for not taking steps to control pollution.