Udaipur, March 12, 2026 (Daily Kiran): In a significant step for India’s metals and mining industry, Hindustan Zinc Limited, the world’s largest integrated zinc producer and among the top five silver producers globally, has launched the women-led ‘Tejaswini’ all-women shift at its Chanderiya Smelting Complex for operations across all shifts.
The Chanderiya Smelting Complex is one of the world’s largest and most technologically advanced zinc smelting facilities. The initiative marks an important step towards building an inclusive workforce and creating leadership opportunities for women in key operational roles within the heavy industry sector.
Working at the Chanderiya Smelting Complex places women engineers and operators at the centre of large-scale metallurgical operations that play a vital role in zinc production used in infrastructure, manufacturing, and energy transition applications. Through the Tejaswini initiative, Hindustan Zinc aims to empower women to lead critical processes within one of the most advanced smelting ecosystems in the global metals industry.
At a time when women’s participation in mining and metals has historically been limited, Hindustan Zinc is redefining industry norms by increasing women’s representation in essential operational roles. Women now constitute 26.3 percent of the company’s workforce, the highest in the sector, setting new benchmarks for gender diversity in an industry traditionally dominated by men.
A dedicated team of 30 women professionals will manage core process operations, maintenance, and safety responsibilities in these units, marking a major step toward expanding women’s participation in core manufacturing roles. The initiative has introduced a fully women-led operational shift in the Leaching and Purification I and II units at the Chanderiya Smelting Complex. These units are a critical part of the company’s hydrometallurgy operations, directly influencing zinc production throughput and product quality.
The initiative is being led by Tanya Singh, Plant Manager – L&P I, Hydro, who will guide the team in strengthening operational excellence while maintaining Hindustan Zinc’s safety-first culture.
Over the past few years, the company has expanded opportunities for women across mining and metals operations, from underground mining and smelting to digital control rooms and leadership roles. These efforts align with the Vedanta Group’s vision of achieving 35 percent women representation in its workforce, with Hindustan Zinc playing a key role in advancing this goal within the sector.
Hindustan Zinc CEO and Whole-Time Director Arun Misra said, “We believe the future of mining will be driven by diverse talent, advanced technology, and an inclusive culture. The launch of Tejaswini reflects our commitment to creating strong opportunities for women in core operational roles that power industrial performance. By enabling women to lead critical processes in our smelting operations, we are strengthening our talent pipeline while demonstrating that leadership and capability go beyond traditional industry boundaries. As we progress towards our long-term growth goals, such initiatives will help build a more progressive and future-ready mining sector.”
As India accelerates its goals in infrastructure, clean energy, and industrial growth, Hindustan Zinc continues to demonstrate how inclusive workplaces can drive operational excellence and innovation. Through initiatives such as Tejaswini and continued investments in people-focused policies, the company is setting new benchmarks for the metals and mining industry.
The company has also launched India’s first underground all-women mine rescue team, enabled women engineers to lead night shifts, tele-remote mining operations and smelting control rooms, and strengthened workplace infrastructure through initiatives such as the V-Safe app integration, CCTV surveillance, biometric access systems, women security personnel, and night transportation facilities. These measures aim to ensure employees can work with confidence, safety, and leadership while building a more diverse and future-ready workforce.
My name is Ganpat Singh Choughan. I am an experienced content writer with 7 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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