The Orissa High Court on October 1 rejected Vedanta’s petition seeking enforcement of an old agreement for 150 million tonnes of bauxite from Odisha Mining Corporation. The dispute concerned the pricing arrangement for the company’s Lanjigarh alumina refinery, Business Standard and The Times of India reported.
The bench of Chief Justice Harish Tandon and Justice Murahari Sri Raman said the company could not revive agreements after the original joint venture was terminated in 2015 following changes to mining law. It also noted Vedanta’s subsequent participation in the newer long-term supply framework. Interim protection in the case was lifted.
Vedanta argued that assurances on supply and pricing had underpinned substantial investment. The court held that a promise could not require the state to act against governing law. A Vedanta Aluminium Metal spokesperson told The Times of India that the company was evaluating the order and legal remedies, while saying supplies were unaffected. The ruling concerns contractual entitlement and pricing; it does not itself establish a halt to production.