Mumbai/New Delhi: The Ministry of Coal will host the prestigious Star Rating Awards Ceremony for coal and lignite mines on September 4, 2025, in Mumbai. The event will honour mines across India for excellence in operations, safety, environmental care, and community development.
Recognising Mining Excellence
The ceremony will be graced by Union Minister of Coal & Mines, G. Kishan Reddy, as Chief Guest, along with Union Minister of State for Coal & Mines, Satish Chandra Dubey. Senior officials from the Ministry, representatives of coal PSUs, and industry stakeholders will also attend.
Instituted by the Ministry of Coal, the Star Rating system acknowledges outstanding performance in mining practices. It aims to promote responsible operations, improve industry standards, and drive sustainable growth in the sector.
Evaluation Framework
Mines are assessed under seven modules: mining operations, environmental parameters, adoption of technology, economic performance, rehabilitation and resettlement, worker-related compliance, and safety. Ratings range from Five Star to No Star across three categories: Underground, Opencast, and Mixed mines.
For the 2023–24 assessment year, 383 mines participated in the evaluation. Of these, 42 mines secured Five Star Ratings, with four mines ranked first, three ranked second, six ranked third, and 29 mines receiving Achievers Prizes.
New Initiatives at the Ceremony
The event will also witness several major launches:
- CCO Website and Dashboard: A newly designed portal for the Coal Controller Organisation with an interactive dashboard.
- Hackathon Awards: Recognition of innovations in Carbon Capture, Utilisation, and Storage (CCUS).
- Green Financing Framework (ARTHA): Designed for repurposing de-coaled mines.
- L.I.V.E.S Guide: A practitioner’s handbook for responsible and sustainable mine closure.
Commitment to Sustainable Growth
This edition of the Star Rating Awards underscores the Ministry’s dedication to sustainable mining practices, energy security, and community welfare. By honouring the best performers, the initiative encourages wider adoption of responsible practices, shaping a future-ready coal mining industry in India.
About the Ministry of Coal
The Ministry of Coal is responsible for the exploration, development, and regulation of coal and lignite resources in India. Through policy interventions and strategic initiatives, it promotes efficiency, sustainability, and innovation in the coal sector while ensuring India’s energy security.
