The closure of Vedanta Resources PLC's Indian copper smelter is marginally negative for the company and will not materially affect its cash flows, S&P Global Ratings said today.
The Tamil Nadu government this week ordered the state Pollution Control Board to seal and "permanently" close the Vedanta group's copper plant in Tuticorin following last week's violent protests over pollution concerns during which 13 people were killed in police firing.
"The cash flows from Vedanta's Indian copper smelting operations were marginal compared with gross cash flows, but they provided cash flow diversity," S&P credit analyst Vishal Kulkarni said in a statement.
At the same time, S&P said, the diversified natural resources company faces a number of operational headwinds in India, including domestic coal-supply constraints and potentially higher taxes on crude oil producers.
These issues could test Vedanta's cash flow targets, if realised, it added.
However, it said, "Despite such headwinds, we expect the company's financial ratios will continue to improve."
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