Hindustan Zinc Limited has announced key board changes involving the resignation of an Independent Director and the appointment of a new Independent Director, both effective from April 30, 2026. The changes were communicated to stock exchanges under Regulation 30 of SEBI Listing Regulations through official filing HZL/2026-27/SECY/19.

Director Resignation Details

Ms. Pallavi Joshi Bakhru (DIN: 01526618), Independent Director of the company, tendered her resignation through a letter dated April 29, 2026, received via email at 12:49 PM IST. Her resignation became effective from the close of business hours on April 30, 2026.

The resignation stems from her association as a Designated Partner at Grant Thornton Bharat LLP and the proposed appointment of Walker Chandiok & Co LLP, member firms of Grant Thornton International, as statutory auditors for certain Vedanta Group companies. This step ensures compliance with applicable independence and governance requirements.

Current Directorships of Resigning Director

As per the regulatory filing, Ms. Pallavi Joshi Bakhru holds directorships in other listed entities with significant committee responsibilities:

New Director Appointment

On the recommendation of the Nomination and Remuneration Committee, the Board of Directors approved the appointment of Dr Aruna Sharma (DIN: 06515361) as an Additional Director designated as Independent Director through a resolution passed by circulation on April 30, 2026, at 11:50 AM IST.

The appointment is subject to approval by shareholders at the ensuing Annual General Meeting. Dr Aruna Sharma has also been inducted as a Member of the Corporate Social Responsibility Committee effective May 01, 2026.

Professional Background of New Director

Dr Aruna Sharma brings extensive experience as a retired Indian Administrative Service officer from the 1982 Madhya Pradesh cadre, with over 35 years of experience in public administration, economic policy, and industrial development. She served as Secretary, Ministry of Steel, where she played a key role in shaping policy for the steel sector, driving capacity expansion, raw material linkages, and industry competitiveness.

Throughout her career, she held several senior positions across the Government of India and state government, including roles in finance, IT, rural development, and infrastructure, contributing to policy formulation, governance reforms, and large-scale program execution. She has also served as a board member on various public sector undertakings and government-linked institutions in her official capacity, particularly in sectors such as metals, mining, and infrastructure.

Post-retirement, she has been engaged in advisory roles and served as a board member of JSPL, bringing expertise in industrial policy, governance, and digital transformation.

Compliance and Independence Confirmation

The company confirmed that Dr Aruna Sharma satisfies the criteria of independence prescribed under the Companies Act, 2013 and SEBI Listing Regulations. She is not debarred from holding the office of Director by virtue of any order passed by SEBI or any other authority. Additionally, Dr Aruna Sharma is not related to any of the existing Directors of the company.

Ms. Pallavi Joshi Bakhru confirmed that there are no material reasons for her resignation other than those mentioned in her resignation letter. The company acknowledged her valuable contributions during her tenure and extended best wishes for her future endeavors.

Hindustan Zinc Limited has achieved a significant milestone with its Chanderiya Lead Zinc Smelter becoming India's first site to receive Zinc Mark validation under the Copper Mark Assurance Process. The world's largest integrated zinc producer and among the top ten global silver producers announced this achievement through an official regulatory filing under Regulation 30 of SEBI regulations on April 29, 2026.

Official Regulatory Announcement

The company filed the announcement with BSE Limited and National Stock Exchange of India Limited, confirming that the Chanderiya Lead Zinc Smelter achieved Zinc Mark validation. The disclosure was made in compliance with SEBI (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations, 2015, and was signed by Company Secretary & Compliance Officer Aashhima V Khanna.

Zinc Mark Validation Achievement

The Chanderiya Lead Zinc Smelter achieved this recognition following a comprehensive review of its Independent Assessment Report by The Copper Mark. The validation confirms that the assessment process and findings were conducted in line with the Copper Mark Assurance Process and Criteria Guide, demonstrating the smelter's strong performance against rigorous environmental, social, and governance standards.

ESG Performance Standards

The Zinc Mark, governed by The Copper Mark, represents an internationally recognized assurance framework that independently assesses site-level performance against robust ESG criteria. The comprehensive evaluation covers multiple critical areas including emissions, energy and water efficiency, waste management, biodiversity management, worker safety, human rights, stakeholder engagements, and ethical business practices.

Leadership Perspective

Mr. Arun Misra, CEO of Hindustan Zinc, emphasized the significance of this achievement: "Achieving Zinc Mark conformance at our Chanderiya Lead Zinc Smelter marks more than a milestone, it reflects the direction of the future we are building. Assured under the Copper Mark framework, this recognition reinforces our commitment to redefining metal production through transparency, accountability, and globally benchmarked ESG excellence."

Sustainability Leadership

The achievement aligns with Hindustan Zinc's broader sustainability commitment and global recognition. The company has been named the world's most sustainable metals and mining company for the third consecutive year in the S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment 2025. As India's first mining company to join the International Council on Mining & Metals, Hindustan Zinc continues implementing globally benchmarked best practices.