Hindustan Zinc Limited, India’s leading integrated zinc producer, has marked World Nature Conservation Day with a major milestone—restoring 13 hectares of Jarofix-laden land at its Chanderiya Lead Zinc Smelter in Rajasthan. The transformation, carried out in partnership with The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), includes 7 hectares completed under Phase 2 of the project launched in August 2024, following the earlier restoration of 6 hectares under Phase 1. The greenbelt creation uses Mycorrhiza technology, enabling plant growth in harsh, metal-rich soils.
Jarofix, a metal-extraction byproduct rich in iron, once dominated this industrial wasteland. Today, native flora is thriving thanks to the symbiotic relationship established between plant roots and beneficial fungi. More than 26,000 indigenous saplings have been planted across both phases, creating a dense and resilient green cover. The initiative underlines Hindustan Zinc’s effort to rehabilitate legacy waste areas while enhancing biodiversity.
The company’s broader ecological restoration program includes hydroseeding across multiple sites in Rajasthan using a mix of native seeds such as Dalbergia sissoo, Acacia nilotica, Pongamia pinnata, and local grasses. Smaller shrubs like Withania somnifera also contribute to increasing ground cover and biodiversity.
CEO Arun Misra emphasized the company’s commitment to rethinking mining with environmental responsibility at the forefront. “Transforming legacy land into green spaces reflects our vision for mining that supports regeneration. Through scientifically guided afforestation and restoration, we’re actively contributing to India’s ecological goals and global climate efforts.”
Hindustan Zinc is also applying the Miyawaki method—an accelerated forest restoration technique—at several locations. This method, known for producing dense forests in a short time, has already led to the planting of 32,500 saplings from 65+ species across 2.4 hectares in Debari, Dariba, and Chanderiya. A recent 1,000 sq. m. Miyawaki forest was added at the Kayad mine.
In parallel, the company is aligning its conservation actions with international best practices through its partnership with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). It has developed Biodiversity Management Plans (BMPs) tailored to each operational site, supporting responsible mine closure and ecosystem restoration.
Strengthening its community-focused efforts, Hindustan Zinc signed an MoU with the Forest Department in Udaipur to rejuvenate the 400-hectare Baghdarrah crocodile conservation reserve. The project, backed by INR 5 crores, aims to restore marsh crocodile habitats through public-private collaboration.
These efforts reflect Hindustan Zinc’s Environmental, Social & Governance (ESG) strategy, with a focus on biodiversity, responsible land use, water conservation, and sustainable mining. The company also launched India’s first TNFD-aligned nature-related disclosure in the mining sector and committed to planting 1.5 lakh saplings across business units in 2025.
With validated Science Based Targets (SBTi) aligned to the 1.5°C climate goal, a 3.32x water-positive status, and an EPD-certified product portfolio, Hindustan Zinc leads the industry in environmental performance. Its low-carbon zinc brand, EcoZen—produced with renewable energy—has a carbon footprint 75% below the global average, furthering the company’s mission to drive the green transition through responsible resource production.
