Vedanta Resources PLC unit Vedanta Ltd. said the closure of its Tuticorin copper smelter in Tamil Nadu, India, prompted a deficit and price hikes in the country, Reuters reported May 18, citing the company.
The smelter was closed in March for a maintenance shutdown, which was extended after environmental officials rejected the company's application for a planned restart, saying the smelter failed to comply with certain environmental laws. Recent reports said the smelter will remain shuttered until at least June 6, when the hearing for Tuticorin's license renewal is scheduled.
According to Vedanta, the smelter contributes about 35% of India's primary copper market with a production capacity of 400,000 tonnes of copper per year. The unit further reiterated its plan to double the smelter's capacity to 800,000 tonnes per year.
