As a global and diversified mining business, we are committed to ensuring sustainable mining through all our operations spread over the world. All our key mining locations are certified under EMS ISO 14001, the international environmental management standard. We have also adopted a holistic business model that looks at the entire value chain comprising of:
• Steel Value Chain: From captive Iron & Coal mining to downstream steel businesses.
• Raw Materials Value Chain: The mining of chrome and manganese ore to production and sale of ferro-alloys & minerals.
• Other Businesses: Such as equipment manufacturing, bearings and agricultural equipment manufacturing.

Tata Steel has captive coal mines at Jharia & West Bokaro, in the state of Jharkhand, located within 200 km from Jamshedpur. The Iron Ore units located in Noamundi, Joda, Khondbond, Katamati, Koira and Vijay || in the states of Jharkhand and Odisha together produces 38 million tonnes annually. The Ferro Alloys and Minerals Division (FAMD) is the largest non-steel business unit of Tata Steel, operating chromite and manganese ore mines in Odisha.

Certified with the highest international standards, Tata Steel ensures raw material efficiency and conservation through advanced technologies.

While maintaining an emphasis on production and productivity at our mining locations, Tata Steel has adopted a strategic approach towards mine safety, management of natural and shared resources - especially water, air and land - diversity & inclusion in the workforce, and social and environmental sustainability through inclusive growth and biodiversity management, in line with the Company’s business objectives.

In India, Raw Materials Division is the second largest iron ore producers and among the most efficient coal producers in India and South Asia. It is also the leading ferrochrome producer in India and 7th largest globally, while being among top 10 manganese alloys producers in India.

All Tata Steel mines and collieries have developed Biodiversity Management Plans (BMPs), and Knowledge Centres have been established across the Raw Materials Division to enhance employee skills and productivity. In the remote areas where we operate, a large part of our budget and efforts are assigned towards creation of infrastructure for agricultural development for sustainable livelihoods, in the form of check dams, irrigation canals, new water tanks, etc.

Our relationships with the local community, our responsibility towards protecting the environment and minimizing impacts, and ensuring a healthy and safe working environment on our sites are essential components of our vision and our day-to-day activities.

The success of Tata Steel Minerals Canada hinges on how we conduct our business at all levels. Our relationships with the local community, our responsibility towards protecting the environment and minimizing impacts, and ensuring a healthy and safe working environment on our sites are essential components of our vision and our day-to-day activities.

Corporate approach for sustainable mining practices of Tata Steel

Tata Steel lives by the concept of Sustainable Mining and has been successfully practising sustainable mining for over 100 years. The foundation of the sustainable mining relies upon various non-negotiable aspects. Conducting comprehensive social baseline studies prior to mine development to identify and understand the existing socio-economic conditions of communities in and around the project area which includes demographic, social, economic, cultural, and environmental aspects, is the founding step of the mining practices at Tata Steel.

Integrating mine closure planning into the mine development process from the outset supports the very idea of sustainable mining. This involves defining closure goals, developing detailed mine closure plans, identifying financial provisions and guarantees for closure activities, and engaging with stakeholders throughout the process. Mine closure plans are implemented in all our operated mines. A Feasibility Report is prepared with measurable performance targets as part of the Mining Plan considering the views of with all concerned stakeholders, wherein the economic, environmental and social viability of the project is assessed. The feasibility is assessed every 5-years or whenever the mine plan is modified. Long-term reclamation and closure liabilities and Incorporation of concurrent reclamation during operations are also reviewed in regular intervals

Implementing programs to develop and enhance skills and knowledge of local communities during mine operation is the core citizenship of Tata Steel. We always go by the principles of our Founder which states, “In a free enterprise, the community is not just another stakeholder in business, but is, in fact, the very purpose of its existence”. The wholistic development of the community in and around our mining area is our key aim. This includes vocational training, education programs, and entrepreneurship support to empower communities to participate in and benefit from the mining activities.

We always aim towards working collaboratively with local governments and other stakeholders to support and promote economic diversification programs during mine operation to build sustainable livelihoods for communities beyond the life of the mine.

Conducting social closure impact assessments in the run-up to closure to understand the potential social impacts of mine closure and develop appropriate social closure plans to mitigate negative impacts is another important aspect of our sustainable mining practices. This involves engaging with communities to identify their concerns and aspirations for the post-closure period.

Our approach ensures implementing ongoing and transparent stakeholder engagement throughout the mine life cycle, with a specific focus on closure planning and implementation through regular dialogue with communities, government agencies, and other stakeholders to ensure their concerns are addressed and they are actively involved in the closure process.

Developing detailed social closure plans that outline strategies and actions to address the social impacts of mine closure is also a part of this approach wherein provisions for community resettlement, livelihood restoration, infrastructure maintenance, and social support programs are ensured.

We always ensure implementing closure-related mitigation plans to address environmental and social impacts associated with mine closure. This includes land rehabilitation, Plantation & revegetation, Eco restoration of the mined-out area and other pollution control measures.

Tata Steel has a dedicated Sustainability Team responsible for overseeing the implementation of this sustainability approach across its mining operations. The company allocates adequate resources towards social and environmental programs related to mine development and closure and works with external experts, consultants, and regulatory bodies as appropriate to ensure the effectiveness of its social closure initiatives. The company regularly monitors and evaluates the progress and outcomes of its sustainability approach and make continuous improvements based on lessons learned. This comprehensive and integrated sustainability approach guides Tata Steel`s efforts to ensure sustainable mining, responsible development, and closure of its mines, minimizing negative social impacts, empowering local communities, and promoting long-term sustainable development in mining regions.

Tailings Management at Tata Steel Limited

Tata Steel Limited is committed for implementation of New Global Industry Standards on Tailings Management (GISTM) by 2025 for all tailing storage facilities located at its Noamundi Iron Mine, Joda East Iron Mine and Khondbond Iron Mine.

To implement GISTM-2020, OMQ Division of Tata Steel Limited has engaged competent consultants with international expertise, for necessary guidance. To ensure appropriate governance for various phases of implementation a competent consultant has also been engaged to work as EOR (Engineer of Record as per GISTM). “Dam Safety Review” as per GISTM guidelines has also been conducted to ensure safety and integrity of all tailing storage facilities.

Approach and Methodology:

The company has an approach in place to manage all its tailing storage facilities (TSFs). We consistently examine our tailing management systems ensure adoption of best-in-class technology for tailing disposal like “Paste Thickening” in our Joda east Iron Mine and Khondbond Iron Mine. Through periodic physical inspection of all tailing ponds and monitoring through various instrumentation, safe operation of all tailing ponds is ensured.

In the mine plans approved by Indian Bureau of Mines, details of all tailing’s storage facilities are provided along with its utilization till the life-of-mine. Emergency preparedness and response plans are prepared for each mine. Decommissioning & closure of tailings facilities will be considered based on risk matrix as per the guidelines and procedures adopted after GISTM implementation.

Details of Tailing Storage Facilities (TSFs) at Tata Steel Limited (as on 1st July 2024):

  

A. Active TSFs

     • Noamundi Iron Mine: In-pit Slime Dam
     • Joda East Iron Mine: In-pit Slime Dam
   

B. Inactive TSF

     • Noamundi Iron Mine: Western Pit, Central Workshop
    • Joda East Iron Mine: Magazine, Jharan & Manmora
    • Khondbond Iron & Mn Mine: Pit-7
  

C. Planned Facilities

    • Noamundi Iron Mine: Hill-4 (in-pit)
    • Khondbond Iron & Mn Mine: Pit-2 & Pit-3

The GISTM implementation is in process, after which our facilities will be classified in risk categories according to the GISTM Standard.

Acid Mine Drainage Management

Acid Mine Drainage is not applicable for any of our mining sites. There is no acidic material present in the mining area and same is assessed during preparation of our mining plan. Further, we start mine closure activities from start of our mine activities and follow the activities as mentioned in approved mine closure plans. Closure activities are divided into two parts – progressive and final. Major stress is given in progressive mine closure so that final closure can be achieved easily.