Timeline

Alcan in Orissa: timeline of important events

- 1993 -

Utkal Alumina Industries Ltd. (UAIL) established to exploit bauxite reserves in Kashipur region of Orissa, India. UAIL was initiated as a joint venture between Indal (India), Tata Industries (India), Norsk Hydro (Norway) and Alcan (Canada).

According to first hand accounts, the inhabitants were not consulted before surveying had already begun on their land.


- 2000 -

December 16 : Three villagers killed by state police who opened fire on a crowd following a meeting of the anti-mining movement the previous day.

December 29 : Inter-village council (Gram Sabha) convened where elected officials from 22 of 24 “officially project affected” villages pass resolution opposing mine.


- 2001 -

Early January : 10 000 local peoples gather in Kashipur and proclaim, "We are not afraid to die, we will not leave our land [for this bauxite project]."

January 20 : Orissa Government initiates Judicial inquiry to investigate shootings, UAIL project construction delayed until release and approval of judicial enquiry.

December 17 : Lead investor Norsk Hydro decides to divest its share from the project. Alcan eventually takes over a portion of Norsk’s investment in 2003, giving Alcan a total 45% share and Indal (Alcan’s former Indian subsidiary) holding the remaining 55%.


- 2003 -

August 1 : Inspired by successes in Kashipur and Norway, Alcan’t in India solidarity group founded in Canada to raise awareness about Alcan’s heavy involvement in proposed project.

October 16 : Press leak reports that Orissa Government approves the findings of the inquiry into killings and gives company go ahead. Extract from the summary: “[The] Commission has expressed its doubt about the stated purpose of the visit of Police force to Maikanch on 16th December, 2000, that it was to maintain law and order... excessive force was used in that as many as 19 rounds were fired.”

November 5 : Hindu Business Line: Indal CEO Dr. S.K Tamotia “hopeful that its ongoing…alumina project in Orissa will be completed without further delay.”

December 16 : First solidarity demonstration in Montreal, commemorating shooting deaths of three villagers. Alcan fails to state any clear position on its investment.

- 2004 -

April 14th : In a Economic Times article, “ Officials in the Orissa government confirmed that Utkal Alumina International (UAIL) has started rehabilitation and resettlement work at the plant and mining sites. “

April 22nd : At ALCAN’s annual general assembly, Alcan’t in India reminds and confirms to the shareholders that the inhabitants of Kashipur are totally opposed to the UAIL mining project. In a meeting with ALCAN executives, Alcant in India re-states its three initial demands : 1. That the EIA be made public; 2. That a proof be made public of Alcan’s claim to have the people’s support; 3. That Alcan initiate a joint observation commission in Kashipur to investigate the issues and arrive to a mutual conclusion on the actual position of the region’s people..

June 14 : In a meeting between Alcan’t in India activists and Alcan executives, the later refuse to publicise their documents.

September 1st – 3rd : A solidarity conference is organised in Montreal, including participants from India and Norway.

October 19th : A 5 000 strong demonstration is held in Orissa, by the people’s movement against UAIL, demanding once more that the project be cancelled altogether.

November 25th : Chief Minister (head of state) of Orissa, Shri Naveen Patnaik, gives clear instructions to state bureaucrats and police superintendents that all anti-mining movements must be firmly suppressed.

December 1st : 500 armed police enter the village of Karal to inaugurate the construction of an access road and police barracks in preparation for mining activities. The hundreds of indigenous people who gather to protest this activity are tear-gassed and 16 of them are critically injured when police attack them with batons. In the following days, hundreds of police are deployed into the area, arresting people indiscriminately and sealing the area off from media and outsiders.

December 16th : Second demonstration in Montreal to commemorate the killing of Damodar Jhodia, Raghunath Jhodia and Anhilas Jhodia on December 16th 2000.

- 2005 -