Current Affairs: Passage of the Week - 08 July 2025 | Current Affairs & General Knowledge - CLAT PDF Download

Directions: Read the passage carefully and answer the questions that follow.
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.
[Excerpt from Business Standard "Three Indian Mines Achieve Seven-Star Recognition" Dated 08/07/25]
Q1: What is the highest honour given under the Ministry of Mines’ Star Rating scheme?
(a) Five-Star Rating
(b) Gold Award
(c) Seven-Star Rating
(d) Sustainability Award

View Answer  

Ans: (c)
Sol: The seven-star rating is the highest honour under the Ministry of Mines’ Star Rating scheme, awarded to mines that maintain excellence in sustainability and governance.

Q2: What is a key requirement for a mine to be eligible for the seven-star rating?
(a) Must have received a gold award for two years
(b) Must use solar power only
(c) Must achieve five-star ratings for five consecutive years and pass a two-stage evaluation
(d) Must employ only local workers

View Answer  

Ans: (c)
Sol: To receive a seven-star rating, a mine must earn five-star ratings for five years in a row and pass a strict two-stage evaluation process by the IBM.

Q3: Which of the following mines is the first limestone mine in India to receive a seven-star rating?
(a) Noamundi iron ore mine
(b) Kammatharu manganese mine
(c) Naokari limestone mine
(d) Joda East iron ore mine

View Answer  

Ans: (c)
Sol: Ultratech Cement’s Naokari limestone mine is the first limestone mine in India to achieve the seven-star rating.

Q4: What are the key modules assessed for the star ratings of mines?
(a) Energy production, safety, manpower, and revenue
(b) Technology use, marketing, profit, and land ownership
(c) Mine-level impact management, closure and restoration, social welfare, and reporting
(d) Coal output, mineral export, number of employees, and safety audits

View Answer  

Ans: (c)
Sol: Mines are rated based on mine-level impact management, progressive mine closure and restoration, social welfare, and reporting.

Q5: What is one of the social initiatives taken by the Naokari mine?
(a) Providing free housing to all workers
(b) Exporting lime products internationally
(c) Dharanya Kanya Scheme to train women to operate heavy machinery
(d) Distributing free electricity to villages

View Answer  

Ans: (c)
Sol: The Naokari mine launched the Dharanya Kanya Scheme, which trains women to operate heavy machinery as part of its social inclusion efforts.