Jamshedpur: Tata Steel’s Noamundi Iron Mine, Joda East Iron Mine, and Khondbond Iron and Manganese Mine were honoured with the prestigious Star Rating Awards by the Ministry of Mines, Government of India, in a felicitation ceremony held at the Rajasthan International Centre, Jaipur, Rajasthan, on Monday.
The Company’s Noamundi Iron Mine in Jharkhand won the 7-Star Rating Award, becoming one of the three mines in India to receive this honour. It is for the first time, since the Awards’ inception in 2016, that mines have been awarded a 7-Star Rating, recognising their extraordinary efforts in the field of scientific and sustainable mining. Noamundi iron mine has been receiving a 5-Star Rating every year since inception of the coveted award in 2016. Joda East has been rated a 5-Star mine for the fourth time while Khondbond Iron and Manganese Mine received its maiden 5-Star Rating Award.
The Star Rating system, awarded by the Ministry of Mines, assesses mining operations based on operational efficiency, environmental management, safety standards, community engagement, and sustainable practices.
G Kishan Reddy, Hon’ble Minister of Coal and Mines, Government of India, Bhajan Lal Sharma, Hon’ble Chief Minister, Rajasthan and Satish Chandra Dubey, Hon’ble Minister of State for Coal and Mines, Government of India, graced the occasion. Atul Kumar Bhatnagar, General Manager, OMQ, and D Vijayendra, Chief, Noamundi, received the award for the Noamundi Iron Mine. Similarly, Rajesh Kumar, Chief, Joda, received the award for the Joda East Iron Mine. G V Satyanarayana, Chief, Khondbond, and Awnish Kumar, Chief, Planning, OMQ, received the award for the Khondbond Mine.
“Tata Steel strives to follow innovative and responsible mining practices, contributing to mineral conservation, environmental protection, and community development. This award is a testament to our unwavering commitment to sustainable mining for a greener and more inclusive future,” said Sandeep Kumar, Vice President, Raw Materials, Tata Steel Limited.
Tata Steel have been an industry leader in implementing cutting-edge technologies and industry-best mining practices to achieve benchmark performance across its mining operations. The Company’s CSR initiatives in its mining regions focus on education and skill development, health and sanitation, livelihood, and overall welfare of proximate communities.