Mumbai: State-owned Mahanadi Coalfields Limited (MCL), a subsidiary of Coal India Limited, has bagged top honours at the Ministry of Coal’s Star Rating Awards, with nine of its coal mines earning the prestigious 5-Star Rating for 2023–24.
The recognition spans two underground mines—Hirakhand-Bundia and Orient Colliery Mine No. 1 & 2—and seven opencast mines: Kulda, Ananta, Samleshwari, Bhubaneswari, Lajkura, Belpahar, and the Gopalji-Kaniha Expansion Project.
The awards were presented in Mumbai by Union Coal & Mines Minister G Kishan Reddy, Minister of State Satish Chandra Dubey and Coal Secretary Vikram Dev Dutt. MCL CMD Uday Anant Kaole, Director (Finance) A. K. Behura, and the respective Area General Managers received the honours on behalf of the company.
The Star Rating system, evaluated on a 1–5 scale, assesses operational excellence, safety, environmental sustainability, technology adoption, and economic contribution. A 5-Star rating represents the highest standard of performance in coal mining.
MCL said the achievement reflects its commitment to sustainable, responsible mining while continuing to play a key role in ensuring India’s energy security.