Snapshot

In September 2015, a group of 1826 Zambian villagers filed a lawsuit against Vedanta Resources in UK court over water pollution caused by its subsidiary's copper mining operations. They claim that the water pollution from the Nchanga Copper Mine damaged their lands and livelihoods.

Legal proceedings

On 27 May 2016, an English High Court judge ruled that the lawsuit against Vedanta Resources could proceed.  In July, the companies appealed and challenged the English courts' jurisdiction. On 13 October 2017, the Court of Appeal dismissed the companies' appeal and allowed the villagers to pursue their claim in the UK.

In March 2018, the companies were granted permission to appeal and the Supreme Court's hearing that will determine jurisdiction took place on 15 and 16 January 2019. On 10 April 2019, the Supreme Court ruled that the Zambian villagers' case against Vedanta Resources can be heard in English courts. 

Update

On 19 January 2021, the claimants' solicitors, Leigh Day, released a statement that Vedanta Resources and Konkola Copper Mines had agreed to settle the claims, without admission of liability.