TAMILNADU GOVERNMENT ORDERS CLOSURE OF

STERLITE COPPER SMELTERKumaravel Ilangovan

News Article: http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/tn-government-orders-closure-of-sterlite-

copper-smelter/article4564051.ece

Source: The Hindu news article (March 30, 2013)An aerial view of the Sterlite Industries’ copper smelter unit in Tuticorin – Tamilnadu India.

Preamble Sterlite (SIIL), a unit of London-listed

resources conglomerate Vedanta Resources Private ltd.

A non-ferrous metal producer in Tuticorin since 1996 (17 years).

Sterlite ranks 2nd in India and 14th in the world for Phosphoric acid production and 3rd in Sulphuric acid production in India.

Overview The plant site is less than 15 km from the Gulf of Manner

Marine Biosphere Reserve, home to more than 150 species of coral, the dugong, sea grass beds, pearl oysters and rich fisheries.

>250,000 people live within 7 km of the plant.

It employs 4,000 and supports thousands more jobs indirectly. But since opening in 1996 it has split this coastal city between residents who say it is crucial for the local economy and farmers, fishermen and who see it as a health hazard.

History of Toxic Debate since it established in 1996

In September 28,2010 The Madras High Court ordered closing down of Sterlite Industries while the ‘National Trust for Clean Environment’ filed the first writ petition against the granting of environmental clearance to Sterlite Industries in 1996.

Rule 5 of the Environment (Protection) Rules 1986, places restriction on the location of industries from ecologically sensitive areas, but Sterlite industries was situated well within 25 kms of ecologically sensitive and prohibited area, which aspect the central government should have taken into consideration before giving environmental clearance, said the Bench in its order. 

But Sterlite had moved to the apex (Supreme court – NewDelhi) court against the order of the high court – Chennai and got victory. Order was stayed by the Supreme Court on October 01, 2010.

Trouble Compounded March 23 ,2013 - Villagers living close to the factory

complained of breathing difficulty, vomiting and eye irritation, giving rise to suspicion of a sulphur dioxide leak from the copper smelting plant . 

March 24, Tuticorin district collector said preliminary investigation  by a team of officials led by the Revenue Department Officials collected effluent emission data from all  factories in the vicinity, including SCIL, SPIC and government and private thermal power units, suggested that the sulphur dioxide unit at Sterlite Copper India could be the source of the gas leak.  But  only  further investigation could confirm whether the emission was above  permissible limits, he added.

Revenue department gave an order to the company seeking explanation for the incident within five days.

Judgment day on March 29, 2013

Tamil Nadu state's Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) said Sterlite released two gas plumes early on the morning of March 23, containing as much as 2,941.12 milligrams per cubic meter of Sulphur dioxide, almost off the sensor's chart and more than double a government limit for smokestack concentration.

Anti-Sterlite Forum members celebrating the copper smelter's closure following an order issued by TNPCB, in Tuticorin .Photo: The Hindu

The US Environmental Protection Agency warns exposure of more than 1,430 micrograms for three hours a year leads to health effects.

Sterlite's general manager of projects, D. Dhanavel, said “the high sulphur dioxide readings could have been due to workers adjusting the sensors on the smokestack after the maintenance”.

This explanation did not satisfies the pollution authorities. So the pollution board ordered the plant to close until further notice.

No serious health problems . But it has been estimated up to 5,000 people were affected by the emissions.

April 02, 2013 Supreme court ordered sterlite to pay Rs 100 crore ($18.4 million) as compensation for polluting water, soil, and air around the plant and documented 15 years of abuses. But refused to direct its closure.

Emissions from the Sterlite, Tuticorin plant

The court cited the 2005 government study that found levels of arsenic in ground water near the site were eight times those recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO).

Cadmium, chromium, copper and lead levels also exceeded drinking water standards in some wells.

The supreme court judgement would, however, have no bearing on Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board's (TNPCB) direction of March 30, this year to shut down the copper plant in the wake of alleged noxious gas leak from it, as the apex court's verdict is confined to the high court's 2010 order, according to lawyers.

Non-Compliance with Rules and Regulations Dealing with Hazardous

Waste The unit has not provided adequate infrastructure and

facilities for management of the wastes generated.

Several thousand tonnes of arsenic-containing slag is dumped in the factory premises.

There is a mountain of phosphor-gypsum. Could become airborne and cause respiratory diseases.

There are unresolved issues relating to the hazardous nature of arsenic-bearing ETP wastes that were earlier contained in an inadequately designed hazardous waste landfill.

References Compliance and Monitoring of Environment

Clearance Conditions of Sterlite Industries India Limited Tuticorin. A CASE STUDY 2009 by Corporate Accountability Desk (Dr.Nithyanand Jeyaraman ) and Kalpavriksh Environmental Action Group (Kanchi Kohli & Manju Menon)

http://www.sulphuric-acid.com/sulphuric-acid-on-the-web/acid%20plants/Sterlite%20Industries%20-%20Tuticorin.htm

http://www.rediff.com/business/slide-show/slide-show-1-special-how-sterlite-copper-plant-polluted-tuticorin/20130409.htm#1

http://www.indianexpress.com/news/supreme-court-orders-sterlite-industries-to-pay-rs-100-crore-for-polluting-environment/1096568/