Vedanta Resources lawsuit (re water contamination, Zambia)
Sources
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 (Konkola Copper Mines). They claim that the water pollution from the Nchanga Copper Mine damaged their lands and livelihoods. On 19 January 2021, the parties agreed to settle the claims without Vedanta's admission of liability. The case is closed.
Legal proceedings
In September 2015, 1826 Zambian villagers filed a lawsuit against Vedanta Resources in the UK over water pollution caused by its subsidiary's copper mining operations (Konkola Copper Mines). They claim that the water pollution from the Nchanga Copper Mine damaged their lands and livelihoods.
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. On 10 April 2019, the Supreme Court ruled that the Zambian villagers' case against Vedanta Resources can be heard in English courts.
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.