**Executive Summary**
Western Coalfields Limited (WCL) has emerged as the top performer in the Ministry of Coal's Star Rating Assessment for the 2024–25 financial year. Announced on 10 July 2026, the report confirms that WCL secured the highest number of 5-star ratings among all coal companies. The assessment highlights WCL’s commitment to safe, scientific, and sustainable mining practices across its underground and opencast operations.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Performance Overview**
* WCL achieved the highest number of 5-star ratings in the Ministry of Coal's FY 2024–25 assessment.
* In total, 47 WCL mines received high ratings: seven mines earned 5 stars, 25 mines earned 4 stars, and 15 mines earned 3 stars.
**Recognized 5-Star Mines**
* **Underground (UG) Mines:** Patansaongi UG (Nagpur Area), Nandgaon Incline (Chandrapur Area), Saoner Mine No. 1, and Saoner Mine No. 2 (Nagpur Area).
* **Open Cast (OC) Mines:** Makardhokda-I and Dinesh/MKD-III (Umred Area), and Mungoli (Wani Area).
**Evaluation Parameters**
* The Star Rating system evaluates mines based on scientific mining practices and occupational safety.
* Environmental benchmarks include environmental management, land reclamation, and social responsibility.
* Operational criteria focus on technology adoption, statutory compliance, and employee welfare.
**Strategic Objectives**
* WCL aims to leverage modern technologies and sustainable practices to ensure national energy security.
* The company remains committed to maintaining high standards in safety, environmental stewardship, and operational excellence.
**Impact Analysis**
**Western Coalfields Limited (WCL) Management and Employees**
**Impact**
The ratings validate the professionalism of the workforce and reaffirm the company’s position as an industry leader in sustainable and safe mining operations.
**Action Required**
Management and staff must continue to uphold high operational standards and integrate modern technologies to maintain these ratings in future assessments.
**Ministry of Coal**
**Impact**
The Ministry uses these assessments to benchmark performance across the sector, ensuring that coal companies adhere to statutory compliance and environmental responsibilities.
**Action Required**
The Ministry will continue to utilize the Star Rating system to monitor and drive improvements in scientific mining and occupational safety across all coal companies.
**Local Mining Communities and Environment**
**Impact**
Communities benefit from WCL’s focus on land reclamation, environmental management, and social responsibility as mandated by the evaluation criteria.
**Action Required**
WCL must remain focused on its environmental stewardship and sustainable mining practices to minimize the ecological footprint of its operations.
Key Entities Referenced
Western Coalfields Limited (WCL): The coal company that emerged as the top performer in the Ministry of Coal's Star Rating Assessment for FY 2024-25, securing the highest number of 5-star rated mines.
Ministry of Coal: The primary regulatory authority that conducts the Star Rating Assessment to evaluate coal mines on safety, sustainability, and operational excellence.
Star Rating Assessment: An evaluation initiative used to rank coal mines on key parameters including scientific mining practices, occupational safety, environmental management, and social responsibility.
Dr. Hemant Sharad Pande: The Chairman-cum-Managing Director of WCL who highlighted the company's commitment to modern technology and sustainable mining practices following the assessment results.
Ministry of Coal
WCL Secures Highest Number of 5-Star Rated
Mines in Coal Ministry's FY 2024–25 Assessment
प्रव तथ: 10 JUL 2026 7:47PM by PIB Mumbai
Nagpur, 10 July 2026
Western Coalfields Limited (WCL) has emerged as the top performer in the Ministry of Coal's
Star Rating Assessment for the financial year 2024–25 by securing the highest number of 5-Star
Rated mines among all coal companies. Seven WCL mines have earned the prestigious
recognition, reaffirming the company's sustained commitment to safe, scientific and sustainable
mining.
The seven 5-Star Rated mines are Patansaongi Underground Mine (Nagpur Area), Nandgaon
Incline Underground Mine (Chandrapur Area), Saoner Mine No. 1 UG and Saoner Mine No. 2 UG
(Nagpur Area), Makardhokda-I Opencast Mine and Dinesh/MKD-III Opencast Mine (Umred
Area), and Mungoli Opencast Mine (Wani Area). In addition, 25 WCL mines secured 4-Star
Ratings, while 15 mines received 3-Star Ratings.
Congratulating the teams, WCL Chairman-cum-Managing Director Dr. Hemant Sharad Pande
said the achievement reflects the dedication and professionalism of employees and stakeholders
in upholding the highest standards of safety, environmental stewardship and operational
excellence. He reaffirmed WCL's commitment to leveraging modern technologies and sustainable
mining practices to contribute responsibly to the nation's energy security.The Ministry of Coal's Star Rating system evaluates mines on key parameters such as scientific
mining practices, occupational safety, environmental management, land reclamation, technology
adoption, statutory compliance and social responsibility. WCL's seven 5-Star Rated mines
excelled across these benchmarks, demonstrating excellence in safe mining operations, efficient
resource management, technological innovation and employee welfare.
* * *
PIB Nagpur | Shubham Gudadhe/Darshana Rane
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