New Delhi: NMDC, India’s largest iron ore producer, has once again affirmed its position as a frontrunner in sustainable mining, with four of its iron ore mines receiving the prestigious 5-Star Rating from the Ministry of Mines for the financial year 2023–24.
The awarded mines include three in the Bailadila region of Chhattisgarh—Deposit 14, Deposit 14 NMZ, and Deposit 5—and Kumaraswamy Iron Ore Mine in Ballari district, Karnataka.
National Recognition for Responsible Mining
The honor was presented by Mr. G. Kishan Reddy, Union Minister of Coal and Mines, in the presence of Mr. Bhajan Lal Sharma, Chief Minister of Rajasthan, and senior officials from the Ministry and the Indian Bureau of Mines (IBM). The felicitation ceremony was jointly organized by the Ministry of Mines and IBM.
Out of more than 1,200 working mines across India, only 95 were recognized with the 5-Star Rating this year.
Leaders in the Field Represent NMDC
The award was received on behalf of NMDC by M. Jayapal Reddy, Executive Director (RP); Mr. Rabindra Narayan, Executive Director (Bacheli Complex); and Mr. S. K. Kochar, GM (Kirandul Complex), who represented the company’s continued efforts towards sustainable and scientific mining.
CMD Highlights Commitment to Sustainability
Speaking on the achievement, Mr. Amitava Mukherjee, CMD, NMDC, said:
“This prestigious 5-star rating is a testament to NMDC’s commitment to sustainability, innovation, and operational excellence. Our teams have consistently demonstrated a passion for excellence, setting new benchmarks in responsible mining practices.”
He further emphasized NMDC’s role in India’s growth:
“As we work towards achieving our ambitious targets, we remain committed to contributing to India’s development agenda through ethical and environment-friendly operations.”
5-Star Rating: A Benchmark for Sustainable Mining
The 5-Star Rating Scheme, instituted by the Ministry of Mines, recognizes excellence in mineral conservation, scientific mining, environmental protection, and corporate social responsibility (CSR). It is designed to incentivize and benchmark high standards across India’s mining sector.
NMDC’s repeated recognition under this initiative highlights its dedication to ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) best practices and reaffirms its status as a model for responsible resource extraction.
Paving the Path for India’s Mineral Security
With a robust growth roadmap and consistent recognition in sustainable operations, NMDC is poised to strengthen India’s mineral security and play a crucial role in supporting the nation’s infrastructure and industrial development goals.
About NMDC Limited
NMDC is a Navratna public sector company under the Ministry of Steel. Based in Hyderabad, it leads India’s iron ore output and operates diamond and magnetite mines. The company is targeting an increase in iron ore production to 55 million tonnes in FY 26 and 100 million tonnes by 2030. NMDC is now diversifying into critical minerals like lithium, copper, cobalt, and coking coal.
