Vedanta’s London AGM to face fresh activists' protests

Activists and some investors will demonstrate against the Anil agarwal-controlled British mining company Vedanta Resources during its 2010 annual general meeting in London, and Bianca Jagger will deliver an Amnesty International petition signed by over 30,000 people urging the company to halt plans to mine bauxite in the eastern Indian state of Orissa.

Rock star Mick Jagger's ex-wife Bianca Jagger, a noted social and human rights advocate along with Amnesty International, ActionAid, Survival International and some ethical investors of the company, will spearhead the protest at the Vedanta shareholders' meeting today.

She and the UK-based campaign groups, including ActionAid and Survival International had also demonstrated during the company's AGM last year, as well to draw attention to the destruction of the Niyamgiri Hills in Orissa, where company's indian flagship, Sterlite Industires, plans to mines bauxite. (See: Activists protest Vedanta's Orissa project during London AGM) 

The project site is home to the Dongria Kondh tribe, and activists say that the opening of the bauxite mine will destroy a large part of the Niyamgiri mountain and its environs with which they have lived in harmony for generations. They point out that Vedanta has been there for only 10 years.

Vedanta's plan to mine bauxite in the Niyamgiri hills for processing at an alumina refinery that has been set up in the area, is now awaiting clearance from the Indian government.

Bianca Jagger will also read out a letter on behalf of tribal elders from the Dongria Kondh urging the company to stop its mining activities at the sacred groves of Niyamgiri mountain.