The Ministry of Coal hosted the Star Rating Award Ceremony in Mumbai to recognise outstanding coal and lignite mines for their achievements in safety, environmental responsibility, scientific operations, and community welfare. Union Minister of Coal and Mines Shri G. Kishan Reddy, accompanied by Minister of State Shri Satish Chandra Dubey and Secretary Shri Vikram Dev Dutt, presented the accolades.The awards celebrate mines that have demonstrated excellence across key parameters such as safety, productivity, scientific mining, environmental stewardship, and socio-economic impact. The Minister lauded these achievements as instrumental in bolstering the nation's energy security while maintaining global sustainability standards.During the event, the Ministry launched a redesigned Coal Controller Organisation (CCO) website and an interactive dashboard aimed at improving transparency and accessibility of information for stakeholders.The ceremony also featured awards for winners of the Hackathon on Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage (CCUS) and Research & Development, underlining the Ministry’s commitment to fostering innovation in clean-coal technologies.Two landmark frameworks were unveiled:• L.I.V.E.S. – A practitioner’s guide for responsible and sustainable mine closures aligned with global best practices.• ARTHA – A green financing framework to mobilise investment for converting reclaimed mines into productive and environmentally friendly assets.In his keynote address, Shri G. Kishan Reddy urged all stakeholders to adopt cutting-edge technologies and emphasised the importance of coal gasification and clean-coal innovation to reduce emissions and open new industrial opportunities. He reiterated the government’s vision to reduce import dependency, enhance coal quality via washeries, and pave the way for potential coal exports.The Minister also stressed inclusive mine closures, afforestation, community welfare, and embedding innovation and competitiveness at the heart of mining operations. Describing “Reform, Perform, Transform” as a collective duty, he called upon industry leaders to contribute to the vision of Aatmanirbhar and Viksit Bharat.Minister of State Shri Satish Chandra Dubey highlighted that responsible mining must balance production efficiency with environmental restoration, worker welfare, and scientific mine closure. He noted that the Star Rating Policy acts as a benchmark for land reclamation, biodiversity, and the well-being of project-affected communities, and urged replication of best practices across the nation.Secretary Shri Vikram Dev Dutt commended the sector for achieving over one billion tonnes of coal production and supply last year—a historic milestone. He emphasised that today’s mining must prioritise sustainability, innovation, and competitiveness while safeguarding energy security.Senior officials, public sector and private mining representatives attended the event. A cultural performance by specially-abled children added a heartfelt dimension to the proceedings, showcasing the importance of inclusivity and celebrating diverse talent.