Union Minister of Coal and Mines, Shri G. Kishan Reddy, will be the Chief Guest at the event, joined by Union Minister of State for Coal and Mines, Shri Satish Chandra Dubey. Senior ministry officials, coal PSU representatives, and industry stakeholders will also attend.

Recognizing Sustainable Mining Practices

The Star Rating system, introduced by the Ministry of Coal, evaluates coal and lignite mines through a structured framework covering seven key modules: mining operations, environmental parameters, adoption of technology and best practices, economic performance, rehabilitation and resettlement, worker-related compliance, and safety and security. Mines are rated on a scale from Five Star to No Star across three categories—underground, opencast, and mixed.

For the assessment year 2023–24, a total of 383 mines were evaluated. Of these, 42 mines achieved the prestigious Five Star Rating, scoring above 93%. Among them, four secured the first rank, three the second rank, and six the third rank, while 29 mines received the Achievers Prize.

Launch of New Initiatives

The awards ceremony will also witness several important launches. The Coal Controller Organisation (CCO) will unveil a newly designed website with an interactive dashboard. In addition, winners of a national hackathon on Carbon Capture, Utilisation, and Storage (CCUS) will be felicitated, highlighting innovation in tackling climate change.

Two major frameworks will also be released during the event—ARTHA, a green financing framework for repurposing de-coaled mines, and L.I.V.E.S, a practitioner’s guide to responsible and sustainable mine closure. These initiatives reflect the ministry’s growing focus on environmental stewardship and responsible resource management.

Commitment to Energy Security and Community Welfare

The Star Rating Awards underscore the government’s commitment to improving mining standards while ensuring energy security. By rewarding best practices, the initiative encourages wider adoption of sustainable mining across the country. At the same time, the focus on safety and community development highlights the importance of balancing economic growth with social responsibility.

As India continues its transition towards cleaner energy, initiatives like these play a crucial role in shaping a future-ready mining sector that prioritizes both national energy needs and environmental care.