Hindustan Zinc Limited (BSE: 500188 and NSE: HINDZINC), the world’s largest integrated zinc producer and among the top 10 global silver producers, added 32 million tonnes (Mnt) of gross ore Resources & Reserves (R&R) during FY26, strengthening its resource base and supporting its long-term growth plans. The company completed 464.32 kilometres of exploration drilling during the year, with 88.08% of drill holes intersecting mineralisation.
The exploration performance was achieved alongside record mining operations. Hindustan Zinc reported its highest-ever mined metal production of 1.114 million tonnes in FY26, while ore reserves increased nearly 16% year-on-year to 219.1 Mnt from 189.1 Mnt in FY25. Total Resources & Reserves also reached a record 468.6 Mnt, providing visibility for more than 25 years of mine life.
The company’s metal reserves stood at 13.9 Mnt at the end of FY26, the highest level since its transition to underground mining. The addition of resources during a year of record mined metal production supports the company’s focus on replenishing ore extracted through mining while building inventory for future expansion.
“A strong resource base is fundamental to building a mining business for the long term. As we scale towards HZL2.0, exploration is enabling us to simultaneously replenish what we mine, expand our reserve inventory and build greater confidence in the future potential of our assets. Adding 32 million tonnes of ore Resources & Reserves in a year of record mined metal production reinforces the quality and longevity of our asset base. We will continue to invest in technology-led exploration as we build the resource foundation for Hindustan Zinc’s next phase of growth and evolution into a multi-metal company,” said Amarendu Prakash, CEO, Hindustan Zinc Limited.
Hindustan Zinc’s exploration programme combines drilling with advanced geophysical and geochemical techniques, three-dimensional geological modelling and data-led targeting. These capabilities are being used to identify extensions of known mineralisation and assess additional resource potential across the company’s mining portfolio.
The 88.08% exploration success rate during FY26 reflects the results of the company’s targeting approach. Continued exploration, deeper drilling and resource-to-reserve conversion remain key elements of Hindustan Zinc’s growth roadmap as the company seeks to expand its metal reserve inventory and strengthen its long-term raw material security.
The company is also evaluating mineral potential beyond its existing zinc, lead and silver operations. Its exploration and resource development strategy forms part of its ambition to develop a diversified multi-metal portfolio and contribute to the domestic availability of metals required for manufacturing, infrastructure and the energy transition.
Hindustan Zinc is further expanding its exploration footprint through its subsidiary, Hindmetal Exploration Services. The initiative complements exploration across its established mining operations and supports the company’s broader resource development strategy.
With a large zinc-lead resource base and continued exploration activity, Hindustan Zinc is seeking to create additional resource potential from its existing mineral systems while building the foundation for future capacity expansion and its HZL 2.0 growth ambition.
Hindustan Zinc Limited (BSE: 500188 and NSE: HINDZINC), a Vedanta Group company, is the world’s largest integrated zinc producer and among the top 10 silver producers globally. The company supplies customers in more than 35 countries and has around 74% share of India’s primary zinc market.
Hindustan Zinc was recognized as the world’s most sustainable company in the metals and mining category for the third consecutive year by the S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment 2025. The company became the first Indian company to join the International Council on Mining & Metals (ICMM) in 2025 and has launched EcoZen, Asia’s first low-carbon green zinc brand produced using renewable energy. It is also a certified 3.32 times water-positive company and has committed to achieving Net Zero emissions by 2050 or sooner.
