OREANDA-NEWS. October 12, 2011. The Special Leave Petition relating to the Tuticorin based Copper Smelter Unit of Sterlite Industries (India) Limited ('SIIL') was listed on October 11, 2011 in Hon'ble Supreme Court for 'Interim Directions'.

Based on the Inspection Report of National Environment Engineering Research Institute ('NEERI'), Central Pollution Control Board ('CPCB') and Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board ('TNPCB') the Hon'ble Supreme Court has directed TNPCB to issue directions, within two weeks from the date of the order, to the Copper Smelter Unit of SIIL to implement the improvements measures suggested by NEERI, CPCB and TNPCB.

The Court has further directed TNPCB to decide on the time-frame for compliance of the improvement measures. The Hon'ble Supreme Court has directed that the case be listed in first week of January, 2012. Interim stay order granted by the Supreme Court continues and the unit continue to operate as per rated capacity.

The Tuticorin Smelter has been operating for more than 12 years and has been in compliance with necessary rules and regulations in line with the global standards. The company is committed to employing environmentally friendly technologies and would work in close coordination with all the agencies to ensure proper implementations of improvement measures suggested by them.