Sukinda, Jan 8: Sukinda Chromite Mine (SCM) of Tata Steel achieves the rare honour of becoming the first mine in India to roll out a pilot project on Sustainable Development Framework (SDF), a concept proposed and promoted by Ministry of Mines, Government of India for the development of culture of sustainable mining in the country.
Balvinder Kumar, Secretary, Ministry of Mines, Government of India today formally launched SDF at Sukinda Chromite Mine of Tata Steel.
Dignitaries present on the occasion included Bhagabati Mahanta, Chairperson, Sukinda Block, R K Sinha, Controller General of Mines (In-charge), Indian Bureau of Mines(IBM), included P N Sharma, Regional Controller of Mines, IBM Hyderabad Region,S Tiu, Controller of Mines, IBM, South Zone, Chanakya Chaudhary, Group Director, Corporate Communication and Regulatory Affairs, Tata Steel, D B Sundara Ramam, Executive-In-Charge, Ferro Alloys and Minerals Division (FAMD),Tata Steel, Pankaj Kumar Satija, General Manager(Operations), FAMD, Tata Steel, Rajesh Patel, Chief (Mining), Sukinda Chromite Mine, Tata Steel and others.
Sustainable Development Framework aims at integrating social, environmental and economic value in decisions and operations of mining companies, in a transparent and accountable manner, thereby acting responsibly and contributing to the well-being of the society with mineral conservation, environment and corporate social responsibility at its core.
Sukinda Chromite Mine of Tata Steel got this honour by fulfilling the intrinsic principles of sustainable mining by integrating Sustainable development aspects for corporate decision making process, conducting the business with ethical practices and sound systems of corporate governance, implementing risk management strategies based on valid data with scientific approach, achieving continual improvement in health, safety and environmental performances based on proactive approach, upholding the fundamental human rights and respecting ethnicity, cultures, customs and values in dealing with employees and stakeholders. Integrated approaches for land use planning, responsible use, reuse, research and recovery of mined out materials including associated natural resources with an aim of zero waste mining is being done considering the social, economic and institutional development of the communities with an effective and transparent engagement, communication and reporting arrangements with stakeholders with due consideration to biodiversity management.
In order to develop a complete data base covering the basic principles of sustainable mining, Indian Bureau of Mines (IBM), Bhubaneswar Region has selected the Sukinda Chromite Mine of Tata Steel to espouse the format developed for further deliberations and its customisation for all the mines in the state as well as in the country.
Congratulating Sukinda Chromite Mine of Tata Steel for becoming the first mine in the country to initiate the process of SDF Union Mine Secretary Kumar said, this will set an example for other mines to follow for making Indian mining industry more sustainable in days to come.
Speaking on the occasion Chaudhary said as a responsible corporate, Tata Steel has always been taking measures for sustainable mining with adequate focus on protection of environment, energy conservation, social inclusion and the present recognition is very humbling, puts more responsibility on us to remain ahead of the curve
While Dipak Behera, Head, Mine and Production Planning, Sukinda Chromite Mine, Tata Steel gave a presentation on initiatives of the mine on SDF, Bhagabati Mahanat on interaction and involvement of stakeholders with the management of the mine and Gouranga Das, General Secretary, Workers Union on participative management of the mine on the occasion.
