Prasanna Kumar Motupalli, Chairman and Managing Director of NLC India Limited (NLCIL), was honored with the esteemed Mining Innovation Award on January 8, 2025. The award ceremony was held during the 3rd International Conference on Safe & Sustainable Mining Technology (IConSSMT 2025). Prof. T. N. Singh, Director of IIT Patna, presented the award in the presence of luminaries such as Prof. G. K. Pradhan from AKS University, Prof. N. C. Dey of IIEST Shibpur, CVR Murthy from IREL, and Satish Jha, CMD of Eastern Coalfields Limited.
The award highlights NLCIL’s exemplary achievements in sustainable mining practices. Key initiatives that contributed to this recognition include:
- Development of Solar Projects on Mined-Out Lands: Utilizing abandoned mining sites for renewable energy.
- Pumped Storage Projects: Creating energy storage solutions on reclaimed lands.
- Extensive Afforestation: Planting trees to rehabilitate former mining areas.
- Efficient Groundwater Utilization: Ensuring water management benefits local communities.
- Deployment of Specialized Sustainable Mining Equipment: Prioritizing eco-friendly operational practices.
In his address, Motupalli expressed gratitude and emphasized the importance of integrating sustainability into mining operations. He remarked, “This award is a testament to our dedication to innovation and environmental responsibility in mining. Sustainability is central to our mission, and we aim to lead the sector by adopting renewable energy solutions and community-centric initiatives.”
The event, organized by The Indian Mining & Engineering Journal and Utkal University, served as a platform for industry leaders to discuss advancements in green mining, waste management, and mineral processing. NLCIL’s recognition aligns with its vision of achieving 104 MTPA mining capacity and expanding thermal and renewable energy capacities to over 10 GW each by 2030.
