Vedanta Sesa Goa – Iron Ore Goa (Vedanta IOG) which currently operates the Block I, Bicholim Mineral Block, under the aegis of the Directorate General of Mines Safety (DGMS), hosted the Tripartite Meeting at Panjim, Goa. The event is a significant forum for coordination for key stakeholders including representatives from the DGMS, Worker Union and the Senior Management & employees of Vedanta IOG.
The primary objective of the Tripartite Meeting is to deliberate on issues pertaining to further improvement of safety in mines and to propose effective measures, methods, and processes that contribute to a safer working environment in mines across the country.
The event was graced by Shri. Ramawatar Meena, Deputy Director General of Mines Safety, Western Zone, Nagpur, Shri. Aftab Ahmad, Director of Mines Safety, SO, Western Zone, Shri. P.K Jain, Director of Mines Safety (Mech.), Western Zone, Shri. Ramesh Walikar, Director of Mines Safety, Goa Region, Shri. Vineet Chaurasia, Deputy Director of Mines Safety (Elect.), Western Zone, Shri. Deepak Chandramukhi, Deputy Director of Mines Safety, Goa Region along with Shri. Navin Jaju, CEO, Vedanta Sesa Goa, Shri. Vinod Kumar, COO-Mining, Vedanta Sesa Goa, Shri Dhirajkumar Jagdish, Dy. CEO, Vedanta IOG, Shri Siddesh Parab, Bicholim Workers’ Union, and Shri Lakshwadeep Arsekar, Sesa Goa Workers’ Union along with other Company & Union functionaries.
The high level DGMS delegation reviewed various aspects of the mine operations at Block I, Bicholim Mineral Block, and expressed satisfaction at the measures instituted by Vedanta Sesa Goa towards ensuring safe, responsible & sustainable production. This is the first Tripartite Meeting organised since the commencement of operations by Vedanta Sesa Goa in Apr 2024 at Block 1, Bicholim Mining Block, the first ever auctioned mine to become operational under the auction regime.
Addressing the gathering as part of the Welcome Address, Shri Navin Jaju, CEO- Vedanta Sesa Goa said, “At Vedanta Sesa Goa, safe & responsible production is at the core of operational philosophy. We prioritise Occupational Safety & Health as a collective responsibility – ‘Safety is Us. The Tripartite Meeting has served as a constructive forum to deliberate on safety practices and to reaffirm our collective responsibility towards building a safer and more sustainable mining ecosystem. I extend my sincere gratitude to the Directorate General of Mines Safety, the Workers’ Union, and our employees for their valuable participation and continued support.”
Shri. Ramawatar Meena, Deputy Director General of Mines Safety, Western Zone, Nagpur said, “The Tripartite Meeting plays an important role in strengthening the dialogue between regulators, industry, and workforce on critical aspects of mines safety. At DGMS, our foremost priority is to ensure strict compliance with safety standards and to foster a culture where the well-being of every individual is non-negotiable. It is encouraging to see industry players like Vedanta Sesa Goa actively embracing responsible practices and innovation, which are essential for building a safe, sustainable, and future-ready mining sector. The adoption of sustainable tech such as EV & RE is extremely heartening & I compliment Vedanta Sesa Goa for responsibly & efficiently conducting mining operations.”
During the meeting, participants engaged in constructive discussions, sharing insights, experiences, and best practices to identify potential risks and challenges in the mining industry. The focus was on fostering collaboration and devising innovative solutions to mitigate safety hazards and ensure the well-being of the workforce.
The Directorate General of Mines Safety affirmed its dedication to working closely with all stakeholders to develop and implement policies that prioritize the safety and well-being of miners across the nation.