Coal Ministry to host 'Star Rating Awards Ceremony' for coal & lignite mines

New Delhi: The Ministry of Coal on Wednesday said that it will organise a 'Star Rating Awards Ceremony for Coal and Lignite Mines' on September 4, in Mumbai. During the event, the coal and lignite mines across India will be recognised for their exceptional performance in operational excellence, environmental care, safety, and community development.

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The ceremony will be attended by Union Minister of Coal & Mines, G Kishan Reddy, as the Chief Guest along with Union Minister of State for Coal and Mines Satish Chandra Dubey. Senior officials from the Ministry of Coal, representatives of coal PSUs, and industry stakeholders will also join the gathering.

The Star Rating system, instituted by the Ministry of Coal, acknowledge the outstanding performance of coal and lignite mines, aiming to promote responsible mining practices, enhance industry standards, and ensure sustainable growth in the sector. The Ministry evaluates mines through a structured and comprehensive framework covering seven modules; mining operations, environmental parameters, adoption of technology and best practices, economic performance, rehabilitation & resettlement, worker-related compliance, and safety & security. Mines are rated on a scale from Five Star to No Star under three categories: underground, opencast, and mixed.

For the assessment year 2023–24, a total of 383 mines has been selected for the participation in the Star Rating evaluation. Out of these, 42 mines have secured the prestigious Five Star Rating scoring more than 93 percent. Among them, 4 mines achieved first rank, 3 mines secured second rank, and 6 mines attained third Rank, while 29 mines received the Achievers Prize.

The Star Rating Award Ceremony will also feature the launch of the newly designed CCO (Coal Controller Organisation) website along with its interactive dashboard, and the presentation of awards for the Hackathon on Carbon Capture, Utilisation, and Storage (CCUS). Additionally, the occasion will mark the release of ARTHA, a green financing framework for repurposing de-coaled mines, and L.I.V.E.S, a comprehensive practitioner’s guide for responsible and sustainable mine closure.

This edition of the Star Rating Awards stands as a celebration of dedication and innovation in the coal sector, underscoring the Ministry’s commitment to sustainable mining practices, energy security, and community welfare. The recognition of these mines will encourage wider adoption of best practices and strengthen the vision of a responsible and future-ready coal mining industry in India.

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