Hindustan Zinc Limited, a Vedanta Group enterprise and the world’s largest integrated zinc producer, has announced Board approval for India’s first zinc tailings reprocessing plant. The facility will be set up at Rampura Agucha in Rajasthan’s Bhilwara district.
Tailings, the fine residues left after ore processing, still contain extractable quantities of metals like zinc and silver. The new facility will recover these valuable resources, converting industrial by-products into usable metals. This initiative is a major step toward strengthening the company’s sustainability framework while supporting resource efficiency.
The reprocessing plant will have a capacity of 10 million tonnes per annum (Mtpa) and will be developed with a planned investment of up to ₹3,823 crore. Completion is targeted within 28 months from the project start date. Located at the Rampura Agucha mine — one of the largest underground zinc mining operations globally — the facility is aligned with the company’s strategy to double its production capacity and utilize previously processed material to generate long-term value.
Arun Misra, CEO of Hindustan Zinc, remarked “This marks a major leap forward for the industry and for sustainable mining in India. The tailings reprocessing plant is not just a technological advancement—it’s a commitment to minimizing environmental impact while extracting more value from existing resources. The project supports our long-term growth plans and reinforces our dedication to environmental stewardship.”
The plant will be developed in collaboration with global experts and is designed to meet stringent environmental standards. By reprocessing historic waste, the company aims to lower its environmental footprint, reduce the volume of tailings stored, and further support India’s clean energy transition through recovery of critical metals.
This announcement follows the Board’s earlier approval of a large-scale investment strategy aimed at doubling refined metal output. Plans include expanding capacity by 250 kilotonnes per annum (KTPA) and upgrading mining and milling infrastructure across multiple sites, backed by nearly ₹12,000 crore in capital expenditure.
Driven by the expected rise in zinc demand—spurred by infrastructure development and the steel sector—Hindustan Zinc is positioning itself to meet both domestic and global requirements with expanded production and advanced sustainability practices. Hindustan Zinc has earned recognition for responsible operations, recently being named the most sustainable metals and mining company worldwide for the second consecutive year by the S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment (2024). The company was also the first in India’s metals and mining sector to have 1.5°C-aligned emissions targets approved by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). In FY25, it achieved a 15% reduction in emissions intensity from its 2020 baseline while increasing output.
In 2024, the company introduced EcoZen, Asia’s first low-carbon zinc, produced entirely using renewable energy. Hindustan Zinc has also implemented an Environmental Product Declaration (EPD)-certified zinc portfolio to promote transparency in climate disclosures.
In another key development, Hindustan Zinc became the first Indian company to join the International Council on Mining and Metals (ICMM) in 2025. This membership reflects its alignment with global standards in Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) practices, covering 40 performance expectations.
Hindustan Zinc Limited, part of the Vedanta Group, is the world’s largest fully integrated zinc producer and ranks among the top five silver producers globally. With a 77% share in India’s primary zinc market, the company serves customers in over 40 countries. Recognized for its innovation, sustainable practices, and ESG leadership, Hindustan Zinc has become a benchmark for responsible mining.
The company launched EcoZen, a green zinc brand with a carbon footprint nearly 75% lower than the global average. Hindustan Zinc is a certified 3.32x water-positive company and has pledged to achieve net zero emissions by 2050 or earlier. Through its social impact programs, it has reached 2.3 million people and is consistently ranked among India’s top 10 CSR contributors. Focused on critical metals essential for the global energy transition, Hindustan Zinc continues to play a pivotal role in advancing sustainable development both within India and internationally.
