Vedanta Ltd Chairman Anil Agarwal recently reflected on the 23-year journey since Hindustan Zinc was privatized in 2002. Under Vedanta’s leadership, the company has grown fourfold and become the world’s largest fully integrated zinc producer.
Celebrating the milestone, Mr Agarwal took to social media to highlight the transformation and its significance for India’s industrial and resource landscape. He emphasized how the company’s performance—especially in zinc, lead, and silver—has consistently pushed India up the global production ranks, with annual output surpassing one million tonnes for the past three years.
“In 2002, the government made a bold decision. Within a year of the takeover, we doubled profits without letting go of a single employee,” he wrote. “Today, Hindustan Zinc stands at the top of the global zinc industry.”
What began as a bold reform move has turned into one of the country’s most successful privatization stories. Since Vedanta acquired a majority stake, Hindustan Zinc has dominated the domestic market with over 75% share in primary zinc and has significantly expanded silver output—now 15 times what it was at the time of acquisition.
The company’s footprint in Rajasthan has spurred large-scale development. Over the years, it has supported the rise of more than 1,000 ancillary industries and created lakhs of jobs. Its total economic contribution to state and national revenues has exceeded ₹1.7 lakh crore. Environmental efforts and clean production practices have also helped improve the local ecosystem. “Rajasthan has emerged stronger, both economically and environmentally,” Mr Agarwal said. “The progress here reflects the spirit of transformation that this journey represents.”
Hindustan Zinc has set benchmarks in mining technology and operational integration. Leveraging cutting-edge digital tools, it has improved efficiency and output while advancing its commitment to sustainable practices. As zinc and silver become essential components in renewable energy and green tech, the company is actively exploring new applications to support the global shift toward clean energy.
A part of the Vedanta Group, Hindustan Zinc Limited (BSE: 500188, NSE: HINDZINC) is the world’s largest fully integrated producer of zinc and the third-largest silver producer globally. Serving clients in over 40 countries, it commands roughly 75% of India’s primary zinc market.
For the second year running, the company has been named the most sustainable metals and mining firm globally by the S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment. Its innovative product, EcoZen—Asia’s first low-carbon zinc—is produced using renewable energy and emits 75% less carbon than the global average.
Certified as 2.41 times Water-Positive, Hindustan Zinc aims to achieve Net Zero emissions well before 2050. Its community programs have positively impacted over 2 million people, placing it among India’s top 10 corporate contributors to social development. With a strong focus on innovation, sustainability, and inclusive growth, Hindustan Zinc continues to play a key role in securing essential metals for a cleaner and more resilient future.
