Prasanna Kumar Motupalli, Chairman and Managing Director of NLC India Limited (NLCIL) was conferred with the prestigious Mining Innovation Award on January 8, 2025, during the inaugural session of the 3rd International Conference on Safe & Sustainable Mining Technology (IConSSMT 2025). The award was presented by Prof T N Singh, Director of IIT Patna, in the presence of distinguished dignitaries including Prof G K  Pradhan, Dean at AKS University; Prof N C Dey, Head of the Mining Department at IIEST Shibpur; CVR Murthy, General Manager at IREL and Satish Jha, CMD of Eastern Coalfields Limited. The award recognizes NLCIL’s pioneering efforts and innovative practices in Mining which have set new benchmarks for sustainability and operational excellence. The honouris also attributed to the collaborative efforts of Team NLCIL in upholding high standards of operations in Mining. Key initiatives that contributed to this accolade include: Development of solar projects on mined-out lands: Leveraging abandoned mining areas for renewable energy generation.  Pumped storage project on mined-out land: Facilitating energy storage solutions to support a sustainable energy mix. Large-scale afforestation initiatives: Rehabilitating mining sites through extensive tree plantations. Effective groundwater utilization: Implementing efficient water management practices to benefit surrounding communities. Deployment of sustainable specialized mining equipment: Emphasising eco-friendly operations. In his statement, Prasanna Kumar Motupalli expressed gratitude for the recognition and highlighted the importance of sustainable mining. He said “This award is a testament to NLCIL’s unwavering commitment to adopting innovative and environmentally responsible practices in the mining sector. Sustainability is not just a goal for us – it is integral to our operations. By integrating renewable energy solutions, re-purposing mined-out lands and focusing on community-centric development, we aim to lead the way in responsible mining practices. Platforms like IConSSMT are critical for fostering collaboration and innovation across the industry.” The event, organized by The Indian Mining & Engineering Journal and Utkal University, provided a platform for experts, researches and industry leaders to experts, researchers and industry leaders to exchange ideas on green mining, waste management and advancements in mineral processing, aligning economic progress with environmental sustainability. This recognition strengthens NLCIL’s vision of achieving 104 MTPA mining capacity, 10+ GW thermal power and 10+ GW renewable energy generation by 2030, contributing significantly to India’s energy and sustainability goals.