On July 7, 2025, the Ministry of Mines (MoM) conferred seven-star ratings, the highest recognition for sustainable mining practices, for the first time to three mines: Naokari Limestone Mine of UltraTech Cement, Noamundi Iron Ore Mine of Tata Steel, and Kammatharu Mine of Sandur Manganese and Iron Ore Limited.
- In total, 98 mines, (7-star rating for 3 mines, 5-star rating for 95 mines) were recognized at the felicitation ceremony, organized by Indian Bureau of Mines(IBM), MoM, held at the Rajasthan International Centre in Jaipur, Rajasthan, for their performance in 2023-24.
Key People:
Several Dignitaries including Union Minister Gangapuram Kishan Reddy, MoM, Ministry of Coal, Minister of State(MoS) Satish Chandra Dubey, MoC, MoM and Chief Minister (CM) of Rajasthan, Bhajan Lal Sharma were also present at the event.
Highlights of Star Rating Awards for Sustainable Mining (2023-24)
i.Thirteen of UltraTech Cement’s Limestone Mines were recognized for excellence in sustainable mining. Among the 13 limestone mines, 12 of Ultratech ‘s Limestone mines were awarded a 5-star rating.
ii.Naokari Limestone Mine, part of Awarpur Cement Works, an integrated manufacturing unit of UltraTech, located in Chandrapur, Maharashtra, was conferred the highest distinction of being awarded a 7-star rating for exceptional work towards ‘Green Mining’.
- The Naokari Limestone Mine has received a 5-star rating every year since the award’s introduction. The unit was recognized with a 7-star rating for its commendable work towards “zero-waste mining”, and its numerous sustainable mining initiatives such as the usage of lime sludge and paper mills to increase the lifespan of mine.
iii.UltraTech holds the distinction of being accorded a 5-star rating for the highest number of mines across all categories of Minerals such as Limestone, Iron Ore (Fe)Bauxite (Al), Lead-Zinc (Pb-Zn) and Manganese (Mn) in the financial year 2023-24(FY24) for the second consecutive time.
iv.Awarpur Cement Works unit(Maharashtra) was also commended for its women empowerment programmes in mining, training women as operators for heavy earth moving machinery.
- It undertakes sustainability initiatives to enhance decarbonization, such as the use of floating solar panels and waste heat recovery systems in cement manufacturing.
v.Tata Steel’s Noamundi Iron Mine, Joda East Iron Mine, and Khondbond Iron and Manganese Mine were recognised with Star Rating Awards for their commitment to sustainable mining.
- The Noamundi Iron Mine in Jharkhand achieved the rare distinction of receiving a 7-Star Rating, becoming one of only three mines in India to be honoured at this highest level.
- Meanwhile, the Joda East Iron Mine received its fourth 5-Star Rating, and the Khondbond Iron and Manganese Mine was awarded its first-ever 5-Star Rating.
vi.Sandur Manganese & Iron Ores Limited’s Kammatharu Iron Ore Mine , located in Sandur, Karnataka, was honoured with the Seven-Star Rating. Recognized for its exceptional green mining practices, it is the only mine from South India and the first among the three mines nationwide to receive this esteemed Seven-Star distinction.
vii.Manganese Ore (India) Limited (MOIL) has received the 5-Star Rating for three of its Maharashtra-based mines: Gumgaon, Kandri, and Chikla, in recognition of their exemplary performance in sustainable and responsible mining practices for the year 2023–24.
About Star Rating of Mines:
i.The ‘Star Rating of Mines’ initiative, introduced in 2014-15, plays a crucial role in evaluating mining operations within a comprehensive Sustainable Development Framework.
ii.The scheme is designed to encourage responsible mining by actively promoting environmental protection, social welfare, and economic development in mining regions.
Ratings Criteria:
i.A 5-star rating is awarded to mines that score 90% or above across four sustainability modules under Rule 35 of the Mineral Conservation and Development Rules, 2017.
ii.These modules include mine-level impact management, progressive mine closure and restoration, social welfare, and reporting.
iii.A 7-star rating is awarded to mines that maintain a 5-star rating for 5 consecutive years.
About the Ministry of Mines:
Union Minister – Gangapuram Kishan Reddy (Constituency – Secunderabad, Telangana)
Minister of State (MoS) – Satish Chandra Dubey (Rajya Sabha – Bihar)
