TAMIL NADU, May 28 (Reuters): An Indian state ordered on Monday the permanent closure of a copper smelter run by London-listed Vedanta Resources after 13 people protesting to demand its shutdown on environmental concerns were killed last week.
"We have taken a decision to permanently shut down the plant and today issued government orders to do the same," Edappadi K Palaniswami, chief minister of the southern state of Tamil Nadu said in a statement after meeting officials, including from the pollution department.
Residents and environmental activists have long demanded a shutdown of the copper smelter, India's second-biggest with an annual production of more than 400,000 tonnes, citing air and water pollution.
Vedanta has denied the accusations of pollution.
The chief of its India copper business, P Ramnath, told Reuters on Friday the company would legally fight any attempt to close the plant and it aimed to "build our bridges" with the community.
India closes copper plant after bloody protest
FE Team | Published: May 28, 2018 21:52:29
India closes copper plant after bloody protest
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