Tata Steel’s Jharia mines earn coveted five-star ratings
THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK Jamshedpur, November 3: Tata Steel’s Jharia Division has earned national recognition for its mining performance, with two underground…
THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK
Jamshedpur, November 3: Tata Steel’s Jharia Division has earned national recognition for its mining performance, with two underground collieries securing the prestigious Five-Star Rating for the assessment year 2024-25 at the Star Rating Awards for Coal and Lignite Mines, organised by the Ministry of Coal in Raipur on Sunday.
Bhelatand Amalgamated Colliery and Sijua Collieries were recognised in the underground mines category for their performance in safety, operational efficiency and sustainable mining practices.
The awards were presented by Union Minister of State for Coal and Mines Satish Chandra Dubey to Narendra Kumar Gupta, General Manager, Jharia Division; Sanjeev Kumar Thakur, Head of Sijua Colliery; and other members of the division’s team, in the presence of senior ministry officials.
Consistent performance in star-rating assessments
The latest recognition adds to Jharia Division’s record in the ministry’s star-rating assessments. Bhelatand Colliery had secured a Five-Star Rating in 2023-24, while Sijua Colliery received a Four-Star Rating that year. Four underground collieries of the division had also received accolades in assessments covering 2019-20, 2020-21 and 2021-22.
The scale of this year’s achievement is reflected in the competition. A total of 382 mines participated across opencast, underground and mixed categories, but only 50 qualified for the Five-Star distinction.
Of the 140 underground mines that participated, just 15 received the highest rating, placing Jharia Division among a select group of national awardees.
Safety remains a priority
Congratulating employees and officers, Narendra Kumar Gupta said the recognition reflected the workforce’s collective commitment, discipline and teamwork.
He reiterated that safety remained the foremost priority at Jharia Division and credited employees for fostering a strong safety culture across its mining operations.
The Ministry of Coal’s star-rating framework assesses mines on parameters including safety standards, scientific mining, environmental management, technological adoption, sustainable development and overall operational performance.
The recognition reinforces Tata Steel Jharia Division’s focus on responsible mining, operational excellence and continuous improvement, while highlighting its contribution to raising standards in the country’s coal mining sector.
