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Vedanta’s coal mine scores 83 out of 100 in Ministry of Coal’s assessment

Vedanta Aluminium, India’s largest aluminium producer, has earned a prestigious 4-Star rating from the Ministry of Coal for its Jamkhani coal mine in Sundargarh, Odisha, for the financial year 2023–24. Scoring an impressive 83 out of 100 in the Ministry’s star rating assessment, the mine has emerged as one of the top-performing in the country - within just two years of commencing operations. The Jamkhani mine plays a pivotal role in Vedanta Aluminium’s vision of achieving 100% vertical integration and reducing India’s reliance on coal imports, contributing to the larger goal of a self-reliant, Viksit Bharat.

The star rating assessment scheme, introduced by the Ministry of Coal in FY 2019, aims to promote sustainable and responsible mining by evaluating mines across a wide range of parameters. These include scientific mining practices, environmental conservation, statutory compliance, land and resettlement management, economic performance, technological adoption, employee welfare, and workplace safety.

Rajiv Kumar, CEO, Vedanta Aluminium, said, “This acknowledgement is a testament to the dedication and coordinated efforts of the team at Jamkhani and reflects Vedanta’s broader vision of achieving excellence through a strong focus on sustainability, safety and digital innovation. The recognition underscores our commitment to driving transformational growth while upholding the highest standards of environmental and social governance.”

Since its inception in November 2022, Vedanta’s Jamkhani coal mine has exemplified best-in-class mining practices, with a strong focus on environmental stewardship, digital innovation, and operational excellence.

• The mine has implemented advanced air and water management systems, including real-time monitoring, rooftop rainwater harvesting with a capacity of 4,200 kilo litres, and groundwater recharge through ponds with a combined capacity of nearly 100,000 cubic metres. Supporting infrastructure such as settling ponds, sumps, and observation wells further reinforces its water conservation efforts.

• Additional measures include topsoil management for biological reclamation, Environmental Management Plan compliance, and the ongoing implementation of ISO:9001 Quality Management Systems.

• The mine has also adopted the innovative Miyawaki method of afforestation, planting a diverse mix of native trees, sub-trees, and shrubs at high density to create fast-growing, self-sustaining forests. The project aims to plant 3.65 lakh saplings across 18 hectares along the mine’s periphery by the end of this financial year. This greenbelt will act as a biodiversity hotspot and model for regenerative environmental practices in mining areas.

• The company has achieved significant milestones in its digital transformation journey through a digital-first approach centered on advanced technologies. At Jamkhani coal mine, technologies such as drone-based blasting zone clearance, digital dashboards, operational analytics, and the Time-in-Use Model (TUM) have been integrated to enhance efficiency by tracking real-time coal production, equipment utilisation, and dispatch quality. These innovations are setting new benchmarks not only in performance but most importantly in safety and environmental responsibility, reinforcing Vedanta’s commitment to smart and sustainable mining.

Jamkhani is Vedanta’s first greenfield coal mine and the first privately developed greenfield coal mine in Odisha under the auction era. Fully operational, the mine plays a critical role in supporting Vedanta’s world-class aluminium smelter in Jharsuguda, the largest single-location aluminium smelting facility globally.

Vedanta Aluminium, a business of Vedanta Limited, is India’s largest producer of aluminium, manufacturing more than half of India’s aluminium i.e., 2.42 million tonnes in FY2025. It is a leader in value-added aluminium products that find critical applications in core industries. Vedanta Aluminium ranks 2nd in the S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment 2024 world rankings for the aluminium industry, a reflection of its leading sustainable development practices. With its world-class aluminium smelters, alumina refinery and power plants in India, the company fulfils its mission of spurring emerging applications of aluminium as the ‘Metal of the Future’ for a greener tomorrow. www.vedantaaluminium.com