India examines cost of mining more closely Environmental impact assessments have halted projects in sensitive areas  - Julien Bouissou  Citing the need to protect the environment and local residents, Indian courts and government bodies have started blocking or even cancelling a growing number of industrial projects. Last month the high court in Madras ordered the closure of a copper smelter operated by the London-listed mining conglomerate Vedanta, to protect “mother nature” from “unabated air and water pollution”. In August, the environment ministry prevented Vedanta...