Udaipur, February 11, 2026 (Daily Kiran): On the occasion of International Day of Women in Science, Hindustan Zinc, the world’s largest integrated zinc producer and among the top five silver producers globally, has launched a special on-ground initiative titled ‘She Knows the Ground She Stands On’. The initiative is designed to provide young women with first-hand exposure to mining, smelting and core STEM careers.
Over the next 25 to 30 days, selected talented young women from leading science colleges across India will visit Hindustan Zinc’s mining and metals operations. The programme is part of a social experiment aimed at understanding how women view the metals sector and how they are perceived within it.
The first group of students recently visited the operations and included participants from IIT ISM Dhanbad, MNIT Jaipur, Banasthali Vidyapith, CTAE Udaipur, MLSU Udaipur and MBM Jodhpur. The group represented diverse academic backgrounds such as electrical engineering, mining, geology and metallurgy. During the visit, students gained direct exposure to large-scale industrial operations, advanced technologies and emerging career opportunities in core STEM roles.
The initiative has been structured to provide first-hand and systematic exposure to the scale, complexity and technological advancement of the metals and mining sector. Through curated site immersions at underground mines, smelters and laboratories, students were introduced to modern mining practices, digital and automated operations, safety systems and a wide range of career pathways available in core STEM roles. The experience also enabled direct interaction with engineers and technical leaders, helping bridge the gap between academic learning and real-world industrial application, while building confidence among young women to consider long-term careers in the sector.
Sharing her experience, Ankita Gaur, a mechanical engineering student from MBM University, Jodhpur, said she was excited to see the concepts she studied in textbooks being applied in real mining operations during the visit.
Speaking about the intent behind the initiative and its focus on creating future pathways for women in STEM, Hindustan Zinc CEO Arun Misra said the future of the metals and mining sector will depend on how diverse talent is nurtured, innovation is accelerated and a future-ready workforce is built. He said the company views inclusion as a strategic strength that drives performance and long-term value creation. He added that the initiative is a step towards providing early exposure and encouraging more young women to build and lead careers in science, technology and mining.
Expressing her views after witnessing industrial operations up close for the first time, mining engineering student Shruti Kumari from Dhanbad said she was excited about experiencing the large machines and high-energy environment, and found it inspiring to see women performing confidently and competently across roles, from the ground level to BUSINESS leadership.
Hindustan Zinc has consistently promoted inclusion in the metals and mining sector and has one of the highest representations of women professionals in core operations among its peers. Today, more than a quarter of its workforce comprises women, including leaders across engineering, geology and laboratory sciences. With a young and dynamic workforce, around 62 per cent of employees are under the age of 35, reflecting the company’s future-ready culture. Hindustan Zinc is working towards achieving at least 30 per cent women representation by 2030, reinforcing its commitment to gender diversity and positioning metals and mining as an inclusive and attractive career option for women scientists and technologists.
Beyond this campaign, Hindustan Zinc continues to strengthen its ecosystem to support women’s success across the organisation and the community. Its people policies include flexible working arrangements, spouse hiring, mental and physical wellness leave, extended parental sabbaticals and expanded participation across operational shifts, including night shift roles for women. The company’s digital transformation, including tele-remote mining, robotics, automation and real-time analytics, has reduced dependence on manual labour and made technical roles more accessible, further supporting its mission to make mining a future-ready and appealing career choice for women in science.
My name is Bhupendra Singh Chundawat. I am an experienced content writer with several years of expertise in the field. Currently, I contribute to Daily Kiran, creating engaging and informative content across a variety of categories including technology, health, travel, education, and automobiles. My goal is to deliver accurate, insightful, and captivating information through my words to help readers stay informed and empowered.
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