Hindustan Zinc , a leading integrated producer of zinc, lead, and silver, has announced a significant investment of ₹3,823 crore to establish India's first 10 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) tailings reprocessing plant. This strategic move aligns with the company's ambitious growth objectives and reinforces its commitment to sustainability in the mining sector.

Pioneering Sustainability in Mining

The Board of Directors of Hindustan Zinc approved the establishment of this groundbreaking facility during a meeting held on August 18. This innovative plant is set to be a game-changer in the Indian mining industry, as it will be the first of its kind in the country.

Environmental and Operational Benefits

The tailings reprocessing plant is designed to recover valuable metals from tailing dumps, which are the residues left after the initial ore processing. This initiative is expected to yield multiple benefits:

1. Environmental Footprint Reduction: The plant aims to minimize the environmental impact associated with traditional wet tailings disposal methods.
2. Enhanced Mineral Recovery: By reprocessing tailings, Hindustan Zinc expects to improve its overall mineral recovery rates, potentially boosting production efficiency.
3. Sustainability Improvement: The project is aligned with the company's sustainability goals, showcasing its commitment to responsible mining practices.

Part of a Larger Growth Strategy

This significant investment is part of Hindustan Zinc's broader '2X growth plan'. As stated in the company's disclosure, this plan aims to double the company's production capacity, positioning Hindustan Zinc for substantial future growth in the metals sector.

Financial Commitment and Project Scale

The approved capital expenditure of ₹3,823.00 crore underscores the scale and importance of this project to Hindustan Zinc. This investment demonstrates the company's confidence in the long-term benefits of tailings reprocessing technology.

Industry Impact

As the first 10 MTPA tailings reprocessing plant in India, this project could set a new standard for the mining industry in the country. It may pave the way for similar initiatives by other mining companies, potentially transforming waste management practices across the sector.

The announcement of this innovative project reflects Hindustan Zinc's proactive approach to addressing environmental concerns while pursuing operational excellence. As the project develops, it will be interesting to observe its impact on the company's production capabilities and its role in shaping more sustainable mining practices in India.

Hindustan Zinc , India's largest integrated zinc producer, has achieved a significant milestone by becoming the first Indian company to join the prestigious International Council on Mining and Metals (ICMM). This landmark achievement not only puts Hindustan Zinc on the global stage but also marks a new chapter for India in the realm of responsible and sustainable mining practices.

A Prestigious Membership

The ICMM is an elite group of 25 of the world's leading mining and metals companies committed to advancing sustainable development, transparency, and ethical practices across the mining value chain. Hindustan Zinc's membership comes after a rigorous independent assessment and endorsement by ICMM's Council, comprising the CEOs of member companies, based on recommendations from the Independent Expert Review Panel (IERP).

Setting New Benchmarks

By joining the ICMM, Hindustan Zinc commits to adhering to 40 performance expectations that span Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) practices. These commitments include third-party validation and apply across all company assets, setting a new standard for the Indian mining industry.

Priya Agarwal Hebbar, Chairperson of Hindustan Zinc Limited, expressed pride in this achievement, stating, "Hindustan Zinc's induction into the International Council on Mining and Metals (ICMM) marks a proud milestone - not just for our company, but for India. It reaffirms our commitment to sustainability, innovation, and responsible resource development, while creating new opportunities to collaborate with some of the world's most respected leaders in mining."

A Leader in Sustainability

Hindustan Zinc has been recognized for its leadership in various areas, including:

• Tailings management
• Decarbonisation efforts
• Circular economy initiatives
• Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) practices

The company's commitment to sustainability is further evidenced by its ranking as the world's most sustainable company in the metals and mining sector by the S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment for two consecutive years.

Ambitious Goals for the Future

As part of its commitment to responsible mining, Hindustan Zinc has set ambitious 2030 Sustainable Goals targeting:

• Climate action
• Biodiversity preservation
• Water stewardship
• Circularity
• Inclusive growth

The company aims to become net-zero by 2050 or sooner and has already made significant progress in reducing its environmental impact. Hindustan Zinc has reduced greenhouse gas emissions intensity by 15% in FY25 compared to the 2020 baseline while increasing production.

Innovation in Green Production

Hindustan Zinc is pioneering low-carbon metal production in Asia. The company recently introduced EcoZen, Asia's first low-carbon 'green' zinc brand. Produced using renewable energy, EcoZen has a carbon footprint of less than 1 tonne of carbon equivalent per tonne of zinc produced, which is approximately 75% lower than the global average.

Global Impact and Future Prospects

Rohitesh Dhawan, President and CEO of ICMM, welcomed Hindustan Zinc's membership, saying, "This is a significant milestone for ICMM - our first new member since Boliden joined in 2021 and a key step in deepening our engagement in the region. The growing interest from companies in joining ICMM reflects the positive momentum we're seeing in our mission to influence the broader mining industry."

As the world transitions towards clean energy, Hindustan Zinc is uniquely positioned to lead with purpose, balancing growth with environmental stewardship and social progress. Its ICMM membership cements its role as a global benchmark for responsible mining and amplifies India's voice in shaping the future of ethical resource development.

This historic membership not only elevates Hindustan Zinc's status in the global mining community but also sets a new standard for sustainable and responsible mining practices in India and beyond.