Udaipur, 18 August (Kiran News): Vedanta Group company and the world’s largest integrated zinc producer, Hindustan Zinc Limited, has received Board approval for establishing India’s first zinc tailings reprocessing plant at Rampura Agucha in Bhilwara district, Rajasthan. This significant step aligns with the company’s plan to double its production capacity. The new facility, with a capacity of 10 million tonnes per annum, will be developed with an investment of ₹3,823 crores and is targeted for completion within the next 28 months. The plant will extract metals such as zinc and silver from previously processed tailings—finely ground remnants after mineral extraction that were once considered waste—transforming them into valuable resources.
By reprocessing tailings at the Rampura Agucha mine, Hindustan Zinc aims to reduce the impact associated with traditional wet tailings disposal. This initiative will promote better sustainability and make a significant contribution to the circular economy.
Commenting on this initiative, Hindustan Zinc’s Chief Executive Officer, Arun Misra, said, “We are proud to launch India’s first tailings reprocessing plant at Rampura Agucha, developed in partnership with global experts. This facility enables us to reprocess historical waste and store it responsibly in line with high environmental standards. It strengthens our unique value proposition and supports our broader sustainable commitments while aiding our ambitious plan for double growth. Modern tailing operations also bring opportunities for innovation and recovery of a broader range of metals, which are crucial for technological progress and the energy transition.”
Headquartered in Udaipur, Hindustan Zinc operates zinc, lead, and silver underground mines and smelters in Rajasthan and Uttarakhand. Earlier this year, the Board approved the first phase of investments aimed at doubling the company’s production capacity, including expanding refined metal capacity by 250 kilotonnes per annum and upgrading mines and milling infrastructure at multiple locations, with an investment of nearly ₹12,000 crores. These expansions are aligned with the projected doubling of zinc demand in India over the next five to ten years, driven by major investments in infrastructure and the steel sector.
As a listed company, Hindustan Zinc promotes independent governance and transparent sustainable reporting. The International Environmental Responsibility Program has recognised the company’s leadership in tailings management, decarbonisation, circular economy initiatives, and diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Strengthening its position as a leader in sustainable operations, Hindustan Zinc was ranked the world’s most sustainable metals and mining company by the S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment for the second consecutive year in 2024. The company has achieved a 15% reduction in greenhouse gas emission intensity in FY25 compared to a 2020 baseline, along with increased production. In 2024, Hindustan Zinc launched Asia’s first low-carbon ‘green’ zinc, EcoZen, produced using renewable energy, and introduced an Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) verified zinc portfolio to underline its commitment to transparency.
Hindustan Zinc recently became India’s first member of the International Council on Mining and Metals (ICMM), aligning with 40 rigorous Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) performance expectations and setting new benchmarks for responsible mining, reinforcing India’s leading role in sustainable and ethical resource development.
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