Andhra Pradesh and Odisha, which have the bulk of bauxite reserves in the country in the Eastern Ghats, should allow mining of the ore and setting up of alumina refineries with all environmental safeguards and proper rehabilitation for the tribal communities in the mountainous regions, but it would be a retrograde move to yield to the pressures being exerted by “the so-called activists and green groups” and stifle the growth of the industry, according to several experts.
They expressed their view here on Friday at the conference on aluminium industry and bauxite mining being organised by the International Bauxite, Alumina and Aluminium Society (IBAAS).
Ashok Nandi, the secretary of the society, said it would be a grave mistake to demonise the industry and bauxite mining, and “it must be realised by all responsible and right thinking people that technologies are now available to treat, recycle and make use of residues such as red mud in industries like cement. Fears that bauxite mining will cause pollution of hill streams are also unfounded.”
Mukesh Kumar, the group head (technology) of Sesa Sterlite Limited (of the Vedanta group), said Andhra Pradesh and Odisha should not miss the bus now and the doors should be opened for large-scale investment in the sector.
He said the bauxite residue popularly known as red mud was by no means as hazardous as being made out, in spite of having certain toxic properties, and “it can be safely recycled and used in industries like cement. In fact, many of the cement units in AP are using it. The world’s first red mud powder plant has come up at Lanjigarh refinery in Odisha." He said there were proven environment management plans in the aluminium sector.