Overview

• Three operations—including UltraTech Cement’s Naokari Limestone Mine, Tata Steel’s Noamundi Iron Ore and Kaamtharu Iron Magnesium Ore—received the exclusive 7-star award while 95 others earned 5-star status for 2023-24 performance
• The Star Rating programme, launched in 2014-15 under India’s Sustainable Development Framework, benchmarks mining operations on inclusive growth, environmental safeguards and social welfare
• Rajasthan secured first prize for exemplary mineral block auctions and recorded a 24% increase in royalty collections last year, reflecting growing investor interest
• Union Minister G Kishan Reddy and Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma urged swift, planned mining of rare minerals to support the nation’s green energy goals
• Officials reinforced a zero-tolerance stance on illegal mining and emphasized technology adoption and expedited clearances to sustain regulatory reforms