Vedanta's Jamkhani Mine Gets 4-Star Rating for Sustainable Coal Mining

A view of Vedanta's Jamkhani coal mine in Odisha, highlighting its organized operations and surrounding green afforestation efforts that contributed to its 4-star sustainability rating.

As reported by Deccan Chronicle, Jamkhani coal mine, located in the Sundargarh district of Odisha, has been awarded a 4-star rating by the Union Ministry of Coal for the financial year 2023-24. The mine was said to receive a rating of 83 out of 100 within just two years of operation. The mine is one of the best examples to be followed for a sustainable and responsible mining practices in India.

The Assessment criteria

One of the bases of this recognition is Ministry’s Star Rating Scheme, that helps in understanding and promoting sustainable mining practices, which include-

Good Mining Practices: Adherence to accepted modern mining practices that ensure efficient extraction of the resource.

Environmental Conservation: Implementation of environmental conservation measures such as air and water management.

Legislative Framework: Strict observance of statutory requirements and guidelines.

Land and Resettlement Management: Transparent and fair processes for land acquisition and resettlement.

Technological Innovation: Innovative technologies that improve the mining process.

Economic Performance: Maximizing economic benefits through the use of resources.

Labor Welfare and Safety: Protecting workers' health and safety through welfare programs and safety measures.

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Sustainability Initiatives at Jamkhani

Several initiatives have been taken to promote sustainability in the past since the mine started functioning in November 2022.

Digital integration: The mine is said to have completed a phase of implementation of an advanced operational dashboard that incorporates real-time data to optimize performance metrics and automate routine processes.

Water Conservation: Saving water and installing rooftop rainwater harvesting systems and recharging groundwater with the help of ponds.

Plantations: Afforestation is done using the Miyawaki method, which helps to promote biodiversity and environmental restoration.