It’s a first! The ruling could set a precedent and reverse the balance of power between local populations who have to suffer from pollution generated by African subsidiaries of mining companies headquartered in England. Chancia Plaine, a jurist specialized in environmental law at Huglo Lepage Avocats, recalls here the grounds on which the British Supreme Court recognized its jurisdiction in the Lungowe v. case. Vedanta in terms of duty of care. She agreed with the 1,800 villagers living near the vast Nchanga copper mine. Without departing from the respect due to the independence and competence of the Zambian judiciary.
