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Vedanta Sesa Goa Inaugurates 42nd Annual Mines Safety Week at Bicholim Mines

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

Vedanta Sesa Goa Iron Ore Goa (IOG) inaugurated the 42nd Annual Mines Safety Week 2025–26 at Block 1 of its Bicholim Mines under the aegis of the Directorate General of Mines Safety (DGMS), Goa Region, and the Mines Safety & Productivity Council (MSPC). The week-long observance will focus on reinforcing safety measures, regulatory compliance and behavioural safety across mining operations, in line with the company’s ‘Safety is Us’ philosophy.

The opening ceremony was attended by senior officials from DGMS and MSPC, with Mr. Ramesh Walikar, Director of Mines Safety, West Zone, Goa Region, gracing the occasion as Chief Guest, and Mr. Deepak Chandramukhi, Deputy Director of Mines Safety, West Zone, as Guest of Honour. Other dignitaries present included Mr. Dhiraj Kumar Jagdish, Vice President, Mines Safety & Productivity Council and Nominated Owner of Bicholim Mine; Mr. Sandeep Morajkar, Secretary, Mines Safety & Productivity Council; and Mr. Santosh Mandrekar, Agent, Bicholim Mines.

The programme commenced with a ceremonial flag hoisting followed by a safety oath-taking ceremony, symbolising the collective responsibility of all stakeholders in ensuring a safe and secure working environment. The proceedings continued with Deep Prajwalan and the National Anthem, formally marking the inauguration of Mines Safety Week.

Addressing the gathering, Mr. Ramesh Walikar emphasised the importance of Mines Safety Week as a key platform to reinforce safe mining practices and regulatory awareness. He noted that the regional observance would see participation from over 50 mines across Sindhudurg, Goa, Kolhapur and Ratnagiri, covering iron ore, silica and bauxite mines as well as stone quarries. He highlighted that sustained safety performance depends on strong leadership, strict adherence to statutory provisions, continuous capacity building and the active involvement of every individual working in the mining ecosystem. He also underscored the need for focused awareness on new labour codes to ensure compliance and safeguard workforce welfare.

Mr. Deepak Chandramukhi, Deputy Director of Mines Safety, highlighted the dynamic nature of mining safety and the importance of continuous vigilance. He stated that proactive hazard identification, timely corrective actions and consistent compliance with safety standards are essential to achieving zero harm, and that initiatives like Mines Safety Week play a crucial role in embedding safe work practices at all levels.

Speaking on behalf of Vedanta Sesa Goa, Mr. Dhiraj Kumar Jagdish reiterated the company’s unwavering commitment to safety. He said that safety is deeply embedded in Vedanta’s operational philosophy and decision-making processes, and that the ‘Safety is Us’ approach reflects the belief that safety begins with individual responsibility and is strengthened through collective ownership. Through Mines Safety Week, the company aims to further promote behavioural safety and ensure that every employee returns home safely at the end of each working day.

A key highlight of the inauguration was the flagging off of the Safety Publicity and Propaganda Vehicle, an outreach initiative designed to extend safety awareness beyond mine premises. The vehicle will travel across mining clusters and surrounding areas during the week, disseminating critical safety messages through audio-visual aids, posters and interactive communication. The initiative aims to reach employees, contract workers and local stakeholders, reinforcing statutory safety practices and encouraging safe behaviour across the wider mining ecosystem.

The ceremony concluded with a plantation drive undertaken by the dignitaries, reflecting Vedanta Sesa Goa’s integrated approach to safety, sustainability and responsible mining. The 42nd Annual Mines Safety Week 2025–26 will feature a series of safety awareness programmes, training sessions and employee engagement initiatives aimed at strengthening safe work practices and promoting a culture of zero harm across the company’s mining operations.

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Tripartite Meeting Strengthens Mine Safety Initiatives at Bicholim Block I

Tanisha Cardozo

Vedanta Sesa Goa – Iron Ore Goa (Vedanta IOG), operating the Block I, Bicholim Mineral Block, marked a significant milestone in mine safety and stakeholder collaboration by hosting a Tripartite Meeting under the aegis of the Directorate General of Mines Safety (DGMS) at Panjim, Goa. The gathering brought together key stakeholders including senior DGMS officials, worker union representatives, and Vedanta’s leadership and employees.

The primary objective of the Tripartite Meeting was to foster an open forum for discussing best practices, risks, and innovative measures that contribute to a safer and more sustainable mining environment. With a firm focus on collective responsibility, the event highlighted the need for strong coordination between regulators, industry leaders, and the workforce.

Gracing the occasion were dignitaries including 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; and Shri Deepak Chandramukhi, Deputy Director of Mines Safety, Goa Region.

From Vedanta Sesa Goa, the delegation was led by Shri Navin Jaju, CEO; Shri Vinod Kumar, COO-Mining; Shri Dhirajkumar Jagdish, Dy. CEO, Vedanta IOG; and union leaders including Shri Siddesh Parab of the Bicholim Workers’ Union and Shri Lakshwadeep Arsekar of the Sesa Goa Workers’ Union, along with other management and union functionaries.

In his welcome address, Shri Navin Jaju emphasized that safe and responsible production is central to Vedanta’s operational philosophy. “We prioritise Occupational Safety & Health as a collective responsibility. Safety is Us. The Tripartite Meeting has served as a constructive forum to reaffirm our shared responsibility in shaping a safer and more sustainable mining ecosystem,” he said.

Shri Ramawatar Meena, Deputy Director General of Mines Safety, lauded the initiative and remarked on the critical role of Tripartite Meetings in building trust and alignment among regulators, workforce, and management. He appreciated Vedanta Sesa Goa for embracing responsible practices, technological innovation, and sustainable mining solutions such as the use of electric vehicles and renewable energy. He noted that such forward-thinking adoption is not only commendable but essential for a future-ready mining industry.

This event holds particular significance as the first Tripartite Meeting since Vedanta began operations at Block I, Bicholim Mineral Block in April 2024—the first auctioned mine in India to become operational under the auction regime. The high-level DGMS delegation reviewed the safety mechanisms in place and expressed satisfaction with Vedanta’s adherence to safety standards and its vision of responsible mining.

Throughout the day, participants engaged in dynamic discussions, sharing real-world insights and exploring collaborative solutions to reduce operational hazards. The sessions underscored the importance of proactive safety protocols, continuous training, and transparent communication across all levels of operation.

The Directorate General of Mines Safety reiterated its commitment to partnering with responsible operators and worker representatives to evolve and implement comprehensive policies that center the well-being and safety of every individual associated with the mining industry.

The Tripartite Meeting not only highlighted Vedanta Sesa Goa’s proactive stance on safety but also reinforced the vital role of such collaborations in transforming India’s mining sector into one that is not only productive but also safe, inclusive, and future-focused.