BCCL Shines in Coal Ministry’s FY25 Star Ratings; Moonidih Mine Bags Prestigious 5-Star Recognition, Jamunia Earns 4-Star
Tata Steel's Sijua and Bhelatand Amalgamated Mines also secure 5-Star rating, reinforcing Dhanbad's position as India's premier coal mining hub
Dhanbad, India’s coal capital, has added another significant achievement to its name as several of its underground coal mines secured top honours in the Ministry of Coal’s Star Rating Assessment for Underground Coal Mines for the financial year 2024-25.
Among the biggest highlights, Bharat Coking Coal Limited (BCCL)’s Moonidih Underground Mine has been awarded the prestigious 5-Star Rating, recognising its outstanding performance in mine safety, environmental protection, sustainable mining practices, operational efficiency, and technological innovation.
Joining Moonidih in the elite 5-Star category are Tata Steel’s Sijua Colliery and Bhelatand Amalgamated Mine, further strengthening Dhanbad’s reputation as one of India’s leading centres for responsible and sustainable coal mining.
National Assessment of 131 Underground Coal Mines
The Ministry of Coal carried out a comprehensive evaluation of 131 underground coal mines across the country under its annual Star Rating Programme. The assessment covered multiple performance parameters, including:
- Mine safety
- Environmental management
- Sustainable mining practices
- Workers’ welfare
- Resource conservation
- Production efficiency
- Adoption of modern technologies
- Overall operational excellence
Star Rating Distribution (FY 2024-25)
| Star Rating | Number of Mines |
|---|---|
| ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5-Star) | 16 |
| ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4-Star) | 60 |
| ⭐⭐⭐ (3-Star) | 49 |
| ⭐⭐ (2-Star) | 6 |
| ⭐ (1-Star) | 0 |
| No Star | 0 |
| Total | 131 |
A notable feature of this year’s assessment is that no underground mine received either a 1-Star or No-Star rating, reflecting significant improvements in safety standards, operational excellence, and sustainable mining practices across India’s underground coal sector.
SCCL Mine Tops National Rankings
At the national level, SCCL’s Ravindra Khani New Tech Mine secured the highest score of 99%, emerging as the country’s best-performing underground coal mine.
Several mines operated by SECL, WCL, MCL, RCCPL, BCCL, and Tata Steel also earned coveted 5-Star ratings for their exemplary performance.
Jamunia Mine Receives 4-Star Rating
Adding to Dhanbad’s achievements, BCCL’s Jamunia Underground Mine was awarded a 4-Star Rating, indicating the company’s consistent focus on improving safety, operational efficiency, and environmental performance across multiple mining projects.
Star Rating Promotes Sustainable Mining
The Ministry of Coal’s Star Rating initiative is designed to encourage safe, responsible, and environmentally sustainable mining in India. Rather than focusing solely on production, the evaluation gives equal importance to:
- Occupational safety and health
- Environmental conservation
- Green mining initiatives
- Efficient utilisation of natural resources
- Technology adoption
- Social responsibility
- Sustainable development practices
The recognition received by Moonidih, Sijua, and Bhelatand demonstrates that Dhanbad’s mining operations are not only delivering strong production but are also setting national benchmarks in safety, quality, innovation, and sustainability.
A Proud Milestone for Dhanbad
The 5-Star recognition for BCCL’s Moonidih Mine is a testament to the company’s commitment to excellence in underground mining and reinforces its standing as one of India’s leading coal producers. Likewise, the achievements of Tata Steel’s Sijua and Bhelatand mines underline Dhanbad’s continued leadership in the country’s coal sector.
Industry experts believe these recognitions will further boost investment, adoption of advanced mining technologies, and productivity enhancement across the region, while strengthening Dhanbad’s status as the nation’s most trusted and technologically advanced coal mining hub.
