The Joda East Iron Mine (JEIM) of Tata Steel has been accorded the ‘Five Star rating’ for its sustainable mining practices. The award ceremony was organized today during the 2nd National Conclave on Mines & Minerals in New Delhi. This is the second achievement of Tata Steel for its iron ore mines. The Noamundi Iron Mine of Tata Steel was earlier felicitated with the award for ‘Five Star’ rating during the first National Conclave at Raipur on July 4 ,2016. Mr. Chanakya Chaudhary, Group Director (Corporate Communication & Regulatory Affairs), Tata Steel and Mr. Pankaj Satija, General Manager (Ore, Mines & Quarries), Tata Steel, received the award on behalf of Tata Steel from Shri Piyush Goyal, Minister of State, for Mines, Power, Coal, New & Renewable Energy.

The ‘star rating of mines’ system aims at promoting sustainable developmental practices, which includes addressing social impact of resettlement and rehabilitation, among others. The star rating scheme is designed to have a built-in compliance mechanism for environment and forest safeguards and help in recognizing good performers in the sector while encouraging all mining lease holders to strive for excellence.

Speaking about the best practices that the company follows, Mr. Chanakya Chaudhary said, “We believe that scientific and efficient mining is key to a sustainable future and at Tata Steel, we are doing our best to leverage the potential of emerging technological advancements. We are strengthening our environment-friendly and sustainable mining practices by adopting and integrating the same with the Social, Environmental and Economic developments.” He further added, “The award is a testimony of our sustainable mining practices and reinforces our commitment towards improving the quality of life of the communities around our areas of operation.”

Among those present at the conclave included Shri Mr. Sanjay Kumar Pattnaik, President, FIMI, Shri Balvinder Kumar, Union Mines Secretary, Shri Nikunj Bihari Dhal, Union Mines Joint Secretary and Shri Sudhaker Shukla, Economic Adviser, Union Mines Ministry. The two-day conclave saw deliberations on topics like initiatives of the Ministry of Mines, incentive Scheme for attracting private explorers by SBICAP, innovative methodologies adopted for environmental impact mitigation, sustainable development framework and presentations on auctioning of Minerals & implementation of schemes under Pradhan Mantri Khanij Kshetra Kalyan Yojana.

About Tata Steel

Tata Steel Group stands among the top global steel companies with an annual crude steel capacity of 28 million tonnes per annum (MnTPA) and a turnover of US $17.69 billion in FY16. It is the world's second-most geographically-diversified steel producer, with operations in 26 countries and commercial presence in over 50 countries. Established in 1907, the Group’s vision is to be the world steel industry benchmark in “Value Creation” and “Corporate Citizenship” through the excellence of its people, its innovative approach and overall conduct. Underpinning this vision is a performance culture committed to aspiration targets, safety and social responsibility, continuous improvement, openness and transparency. Having bagged the Deming Application Prize and Deming Grand Prize for continuous improvement in 2008 and 2012 respectively, Tata Steel has now been recognised as the global ‘Industry Leader’ in ‘Steel category’ by Dow Jones Sustainability Index. Besides being one of ‘worldsteel’s’ Climate Action members, it has also been awarded the CII ITC Sustainability Prize, the ‘Best-in-class Manufacturing’ by TIME Award, the Prime Minister’s Trophy for the best performing integrated steel plant, among several others.