THOOTHUKUDI: The Vedanta-owned Sterlite Industries in Thoothukudi is expected to kickstart its operations in a day or two as the Supreme Court has granted an interim stay on the closure of the plant till October 18.
The 400 KTPA (kilo tonne per annum) copper smelter plant would commence operations as soon as the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) issues appropriate orders, which is expected at anytime, according to District Environmental Engineer of (TNPCB) M Murugan.Speaking to Express, he said that TNPCB has to issue order to TNEB to restore power supply. “The plant was completely shutdown in compliance with the order but in order to maintain the operable condition of the copper smelter Sterlite maintained the 1,200 degree centigrade from Wednesday by burning 40 kl furnace oil without any copper concentrate in it”, he said.
It may be noted that if the copper smelter is allowed to cool it would result in damages to the lining and would also take another 72 hours to return to operable condition.
Reacting to the Supreme Court stay order Chief Operating Officer Ramesh Nair said that everyone involved are happy and added that procedural actions to recommence production will be taken after the district administration and TNPCB get the copy of court orders.
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