At the recent World Economic Forum in Davos, Priya Agarwal Hebbar, Chairperson of Hindustan Zinc Limited, addressed pressing issues related to the global energy transition. She highlighted the role of critical minerals, the future of climate strategies, integrating sustainability throughout the supply chain, supporting women’s health, and transforming India’s workforce. As one of the few Indian female entrepreneurs representing Vedanta and Hindustan Zinc, she participated in discussions with global leaders, industry experts, and academics focused on improving the state of the world.
During her speech, Agarwal Hebbar emphasized the urgent need for $1.7 trillion in mining investments to facilitate the energy transition, as outlined by the World Bank. She pointed out that India is well-positioned to capitalize on this opportunity, with less than 15% of its natural resource reserves currently tapped. This, she noted, offers India a unique chance to advance its mining sector with the right technologies and innovations, reducing environmental impact while supporting the shift to clean energy.
She praised the Indian government for its proactive measures to rejuvenate the mining sector, such as launching the Critical Minerals Mission and auctioning critical mineral blocks. These initiatives have created new pathways for sustainable development, with Vedanta and Hindustan Zinc emerging as key players in securing mineral blocks.
Agarwal Hebbar also highlighted the commitment of Vedanta and Hindustan Zinc to sustainable mining practices, including the adoption of advanced technologies to minimize environmental impact. She confirmed that Hindustan Zinc is on track to meet its net-zero emissions target by 2050 and praised the company for being ranked the world’s most sustainable metals and mining company for the second consecutive year.
In her remarks, she discussed Hindustan Zinc’s efforts in developing zinc-based batteries as a greener and more affordable alternative to lithium. The company is collaborating with institutions like IITs to advance this technology, which could revolutionize the energy storage market with environmentally safe and cost-effective solutions.
Looking to the future, she shared Hindustan Zinc’s plans to expand significantly, aiming to double zinc production, increase silver output, and continue driving innovation and sustainability across its operations. “Hindustan Zinc is committed to turning aspirations into actionable outcomes, ensuring we remain a leader in the global metals and sustainability space,” she stated.
Hindustan Zinc, a Vedanta Group company, is the world’s second-largest integrated zinc producer and the third-largest silver producer, with a market share of approximately 75% of the primary zinc market in India. The company is also recognized for its leadership in sustainability and has been named the most sustainable company in the metals and mining sector for two consecutive years by the S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment.
