Web Portal for Star Rating of Major Mineral Mines

The Ministry of Mines through Indian Bureau of Mines has developed a template for Scheme of Star Rating of Mines. The main objective of this system is to bring all mines to a minimum standard of Star Rating in the shortest possible time frame to adopt sustainable practices.

The star rating will be based on the following parameters:

• Scientific and systematic mining to mitigate environmental impact.
• Addressing social impacts of resettlement and rehabilitation of mining affected people.
• Local community engagements and welfare programmes for socio-economic development of local community.
• Progressive and final mine closure to ensure for restoration of mined out land in better conditions then original.
• Adoption of international standards for mining operations and reporting.

Details:

• Based on the performance of the mining leases, a one to five star rating would be given to the mines.
• The Star Rating will be done initially for mines of major minerals.
• The positive impact of getting higher Star Rating will drive miners to quickly adopt sustainable mining practices.
• The Scheme of Star Rating will be a vital step for ensuring compliance of environmental protection and social responsibility by the mining sector.

The main advantages of the Star Rating of Mines will be:

• Comprehensive mitigation of environmental impacts on land, air and water by mining activities.
• Collation of various technical, environmental and social data of the mining sector at one platform by IBM, which would be utilised to enable better management and monitoring of the compliance of various conditions laid down by statutory authorities for mining.
• In addressing cumulative impacts in mining areas through coordinated and collective action in the long run by helping in formulation of Comprehensive Regional Plans’- a robust Environment &Social Management framework.
• Availability of the information on mining as well as the conservation activities in public domain to enable greater transparency to enable effective participation of stakeholder and speedy resolution of conflicts.
• Reduced delays in obtaining various clearances (environmental, forest, mining plan, etc.) for mines. Self-certification to be allowed for the approvals for scheme of mining.
• The progressive and final mine closures will be monitored to ensure that the lessee leaves the area after proper management of any adverse impact over the mined area.
• Encourage adoption of highest standards and sharing and good practices.