Ministry of Coal and Mines Honours BALCO Women for Outstanding Contributions in the Field

New delhi: On the occasion of International Women’s Day, the Ministry of Coal and Mines honoured distinguished women professionals for their exceptional contributions to the mining industry. Among the recipients were Ruchi Sharma, Divisional Commercial Officer and Himanshi Gupta, Business Analyst to Deputy CEO, Metal, from Bharat Aluminium Company Limited (BALCO). The felicitation ceremony, held in Hyderabad, was organised in collaboration with Coal India Limited (CIL) and was attended by Hon’ble Union Minister for Coal and Mines, Mr Kishan Reddy, Union Minister of State for Coal and Mines, Mr Satish Chandra Dubey, and Telangana’s Minister for Women and Child Welfare, Ms D. Anasuya Sitakka.

A total of 46 professionals from across the country were recognised for their exemplary contributions to the mining sector. The recognition of Ruchi Sharma and Himanshi Gupta reflects BALCO’s continued efforts towards fostering an inclusive and diverse workforce while promoting the role of women in a traditionally male-dominated industry. The event underscored the growing representation of women in the mining sector and their increasing leadership in driving industry advancements.

Expressing her gratitude, Ruchi Sharma stated, “I am grateful for the support and encouragement of the company’s leadership over the past 11 years, which has empowered me to contribute meaningfully to the mining sector. BALCO continues to foster diversity and equal opportunities, enabling employees to break barriers and drive innovation in the industry.”

Himanshi Gupta, who has been working at BALCO for nearly three years, said, “Receiving this honour on International Women’s Day is a reflection of the opportunities provided by BALCO for shaping the professional and personal growth in the industry. The organisation’s commitment to diversity has created an environment that encourages women to excel. This recognition further strengthens my determination to contribute to the industry and strive for excellence.”

BALCO remains committed to implementing strategic initiatives aimed at increasing the participation of women in the workforce and building an equitable work environment. The company has set a goal of achieving 30% female representation by 2030, supported by policies that enhance professional growth, inclusivity, and workplace safety for women.