The Ministry of Coal hosted the Star Rating Award Ceremony in Mumbai to recognise outstanding coal and lignite mines for achievements in safety, environmental sustainability, and operational excellence. Union Minister for Coal and Mines G Kishan Reddy presented the Five-Star Awards to top-performing mines, commending their role in securing India’s energy future while upholding global standards. Minister of State for Coal and Mines Satish Chandra Dubey and Secretary Vikram Dev Dutt also attended the event.
The ceremony marked the launch of the redesigned CCO website and an interactive dashboard to enhance transparency and stakeholder access. Awards were also presented to winners of the Hackathon on Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage, and R&D, reinforcing the Ministry’s commitment to innovation in sustainable technologies.
Two key frameworks were unveiled: L.I.V.E.S., a practitioner’s guide for responsible mine closures aligned with global best practices, and ARTHA, a Green Financing Framework to attract investment for transforming reclaimed mines into productive assets.
G Kishan Reddy emphasized the need for coal gasification, clean-coal technologies, and improved coal quality through washeries. He called for a shift from import dependence to building export capacity and urged stakeholders to embrace innovation, sustainability, and competitiveness. He described “Reform, Perform, Transform” as a duty, not a slogan, and encouraged continuous excellence to realise the vision of Aatmanirbhar and Viksit Bharat.
Satish Chandra Dubey highlighted that responsible mining must balance production efficiency with environmental protection, scientific mine closure, and community welfare. He stressed replicating best practices across all mines to ensure nationwide benefits in safety and sustainability.
Vikram Dev Dutt noted that India achieved over one billion tonnes of coal production and supply in the last year. He described the Star Rating framework as a catalyst for continuous improvement and urged mines to go beyond compliance and embed excellence in operations.
The event included a cultural performance by specially-abled children, celebrating inclusivity and talent. Senior officials, coal PSUs, and private sector representatives were present. The Ministry reaffirmed its commitment to responsible mining as a driver of socio-economic development, employment generation, and improved quality of life in coal-bearing regions.
