Indian Bureau of Mines gears up to host felicitation ceremony for Seven-Star and Five-Star rated mines
According to Ministry of Mines, the Union Minister of Coal & Mines, G Kishan Reddy, has consented to be the Chief Guest, and the Chief Minister of Rajasthan, Bhajan Lal Sharma and the Union Minister of State for Coal & Mines, Satish Chandra Dubey, will be present as distinguished Guests of Honour. Sanjay Lohiya, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Mines, will also grace the occasion.
The Star Rating of Mines, conceptualised in 2014-15, has garnered widespread acclaim within the mining community for fostering a positive and competitive environment among mine operators. The recognition bestowed by the Union Minister and the national-level acknowledgement of performance has greatly motivated miners to improve their functioning, bringing tangible benefits to the mining industry as well as the local communities.
This program evaluates mining operations nationwide within the Sustainable Development Framework, which primarily aims to drive inclusive growth while safeguarding the social, economic, and environmental welfare of present and future generations.
During the event, 3 7-star rated mines and 95 5-star rated Mines for the year 2023-24 are scheduled to be honoured. The event will be held at Rajasthan International Centre, Jaipur. (ANI)
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Sebi study flags high-risk trading trend: 91% individual traders posted net losses in FY25, turnover dips after Oct 2024 curbs, but volumes still high vs two years ago
The frenzy in India's equity derivatives markets has continued to punish small investors, with 91% of individual traders losing money during the financial year 2024–25, according to a new Sebi report released on Monday. This high failure rate comes despite regulatory efforts to rein in speculative activity. Sebi's own data shows that October 2024's reforms, aimed at curbing retail exposure to index options, have not yet translated into meaningful protection for most traders, according to ANI. 'India continues to witness unusually high retail participation in equity derivatives, particularly index options, when compared with global markets,' the regulator noted. The study, which reviewed investor behaviour from December 2024 to May 2025, was prompted by recent media commentary claiming that investor losses were easing after Sebi's tighter framework. The regulator countered those claims by publishing detailed numbers showing both the scale of participation and the extent of losses. Volumes dip, but remain elevated While index options turnover dropped 9% in premium terms and 29% in notional terms year-on-year, the report pointed out that volumes still remained 14% and 42% higher, respectively, than levels seen two years ago. Among individuals specifically, premium turnover declined 11% over the past year, but is still up 36% from FY23. The number of unique retail traders in the equity derivatives segment has also fallen 20% from last year, though 24% higher than two years ago. These trends reflect a cooling off since the peak speculative boom, but the long-term surge in participation remains stark. Sebi's six-year analysis (from FY20 through FY25) reveals a persistent pattern: the vast majority of retail traders are consistently losing money in equity derivatives trading. This has prompted the regulator to maintain close surveillance of market behaviour and flag potential systemic risks. 'Trends in turnover of index options will continue to be observed from the perspective of ensuring investor protection and market stability,' Sebi said in its statement. To that end, new measures introduced on May 29, 2025, include stricter disclosure norms, enhanced risk indicators for derivatives products, and steps to minimise spurious ban periods in single-stock derivatives trading. Sebi has repeatedly highlighted that without improved risk awareness, India's growing retail investor base could face significant harm. Monday's report reinforces that concern, adding hard numbers to the regulator's longstanding warnings. Stay informed with the latest business news, updates on bank holidays and public holidays . AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
3 hours ago
- Business Standard
Govt awards seven-star ratings to three mines for green practices
In a move to promote sustainable mining, the Ministry of Mines on Monday awarded seven-star ratings for the first time to three mines – Ultratech Cement's Naokari limestone mine, Tata Steel's Noamundi iron ore mine, and Sandur Manganese and Iron Ore Ltd.'s Kammatharu mine. The Ministry conferred the seven-star status, recognising mines that have not only secured five-star ratings consistently for five consecutive years but also passed a rigorous two-stage evaluation process. In total, 98 mines were recognised at the felicitation ceremony held at the Rajasthan International Centre in Jaipur for their performance in 2023-24. Three mines received seven-star ratings, while 95 were awarded five-star ratings. A five-star rating is awarded to mines that score 90 per cent or above across four sustainability modules under Rule 35 of the Mineral Conservation and Development Rules, 2017. These modules include mine-level impact management, progressive mine closure and restoration, social welfare, and reporting. The process, overseen by the Indian Bureau of Mines (IBM), involves a self-assessment by leaseholders, followed by on-ground validation by IBM officials to ensure compliance with Sustainable Development Framework (SDF) goals. Union Coal and Mines Minister G. Kishan Reddy and Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma were present at the event alongside senior ministry officials and representatives from the awarded mines. The annual star rating program, launched in 2014-15, is aimed at raising environmental and compliance standards across India's mining sector.
Time of India
3 hours ago
- Time of India
Made in India, built for all terrains: The ATAGS howitzer that fires and disappears in 85 seconds is being tested locally
— ANI (@ANI) Built for modern battlefields Live Events — ANI (@ANI) Moving targets need moving guns Big orders, bigger plans Pinaka and K9 Vajra: More teeth in the arsenal (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel India is gearing up to field its own mobile artillery that can operate just as easily on Rajasthan's burning sands as it can on Siachen's icy heights. The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) calls it the Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System or ATAGS. This 155mm, 52-calibre beast is set to replace the Army's older guns with something far more idea for ATAGS was greenlit back in 2012. The Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE) has driven its design with clear goals: longer range, pinpoint accuracy, faster firing, and all-weather, all-terrain readiness. 'The ATAGS has been envisaged with a high degree of excellence in range, accuracy, consistency of operations, superior rate of fire, and all-weather and terrain deployability,' said ARDE Director A Raju told isn't just a gun. It's a carefully engineered system. The upper carriage packs the gun barrel, breech, recoil system, loading gear, and targeting controls. Below that sits the undercarriage, the frame, wheels, and drive gear. There's no complicated hydraulics to fuss over in the field either. An all-electric drive handles gun laying, loading, ramming, and deployment. Fewer moving parts, fewer headaches.'The system is configured with an all-electric drive to ensure maintenance-free and reliable field operations,' the DRDO noted in its bulletin. The gun can fire existing shells in the Army's stockpile and plugs into the Artillery Combat Command and Control System (ACCCS). So, it doesn't just shoot, it talks to other units action, ATAGS can fire 10 high-explosive shells in under three minutes. Or pump out five rounds in just 60 seconds in burst mode. Targets up to 48 km away are fair game, depending on wars show that artillery must move fast or die fast. The Russia-Ukraine conflict drove that lesson home. High mobility means you shoot, scoot, and survive. To fill this gap, India is adapting ATAGS into a Mounted Gun System (MGS). Think of it as ATAGS bolted onto an 8x8 truck. It packs shock absorbers, blast-proof cabins, silent power units, and an electronic brain to control the whole MGS can unleash six rounds in a minute and strike targets over 45 km away. It takes just 85 seconds to shoot and relocate. 'The Russia-Ukraine war has shown the effectiveness of high mobility artillery,' said VRDE chief GRM Rao after internal trials in Balasore and government has already cleared the purchase of 307 ATAGS units. The Defence Acquisition Council signed off on this plan, and the Cabinet Committee on Security backed it with a Rs 7,000 crore nod in March. Production is split between Bharat Forge and Tata Advanced Systems Limited. Bharat Forge will build 60 percent of the guns, Tata the rest.'We aim to sign the ATAGS contract by the end of this fiscal year,' General Dwivedi confirmed earlier. Trials for the truck-mounted version should wrap up by Army wants 700 to 800 mounted systems eventually. Several private and public firms are vying for a share, including Bharat Forge, Tata Advanced Systems, Adani Defence (partnered with an Israeli firm), and Advanced Weapons Equipment India artillery boost doesn't stop with ATAGS. The Pinaka rocket system , India's answer to multi-barrel rocket fire — is also evolving. Its range has grown from 40 km to 72 km. Plans are underway to push that to 90 km, possibly even 120 km, outpacing the old Russian Smerch there's the K9 Vajra. Originally built with South Korean tech, it's a proven self-propelled gun already in Army service. Another 100 Vajra units will join the fleet by end of 2025, adding to the 100 already deployed in places like Galwan clash in 2020 changed the Army's mindset. More firepower, closer to contested borders, all with an emphasis on speed and local manufacturing. 'Adding mobility to artillery guns enhances their lethality and firepower,' said one DRDO all new systems are made in India, apart from the M777 ultra-light howitzers from the US. It's a deliberate shift under 'Make in India'. The goal is clear: modernise artillery with longer range guns, smarter rockets, lethal ammo, and drones, all tied together so targets can be spotted and destroyed faster than ever artillery transformation is no small affair. Tens of thousands of crores are being sunk into this plan. But for a country keeping a watchful eye on two tense borders, homegrown firepower is no longer just a project. It's the frontline.
