Hindustan Zinc Earns 5-Star Rating for Green Mining

Highlights

• Hindustan Zinc gets 5 Star Rating from the Indian Bureau of Mines for Best Mining Practices.
• Rampura Agucha and Sindesar Khurd are the only mechanised underground mines to get this rating.
• Hindustan Zinc is working to reduce its carbon footprint by using renewable energy, electric vehicles and planting trees.
• Company’s community programmes benefit 2 million people in 3,600 villages.

Hindustan Zinc Limited, a Vedanta Group company and India's largest as well as the world's second-largest integrated zinc producer, has received a 5-star rating from the Indian Bureau of Mines.

This rating is given for the company’s performance in implementing Sustainable Development Framework during FY2022-23 as per Star Rating System.

The Indian Bureau of Mines evaluated over 1,200 mines during FY2022-23, and only 68 received 5 Star Rating. Out of these 68, Hindustan Zinc’s Rampura Agucha and Sindesar Khurd Mines are the only fully mechanised underground mines to get this rating.

The company has introduced technologies like Zero Liquid Discharge Plant, Dry Tailing Plant and Sewage Treatment Plant in Zinc City for environmental conservation. It has groundwater recharge structures and aims to meet more than 50% of its energy needs from green power to reduce 2.7 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent emissions. Also, battery electric vehicles and low carbon fuels are supporting its environmental goals.

Read more: India’s Mining Sector Sustainability Ambitions

As per its sustainability vision and Vedanta’s framework, Hindustan Zinc is working to reduce and offset its carbon footprint. The company has reported a 4% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions intensity over 4 years while increasing production. Efforts include increasing renewable energy and operational efficiency. Pantnagar Metal Plant is running on 100% green power, and a 450 MW renewable power agreement will reduce 2.7 million tonnes of CO2 emissions per annum.

The company has also adopted battery electric vehicles in its mines and is deploying LNG and electric trucks to reduce Scope-3 emissions by 25% by 2030. Hindustan Zinc is also committed to large scale afforestation initiatives to plant 1 million saplings by 2025 as part of the World Economic Forum’s 1 trillion trees movement.

Read more: What Gold Companies Are Doing To Become More ESG Compliant

Hindustan Zinc’s approach includes community development across 7 areas: education, sustainable livelihoods, women’s empowerment, community asset creation, health, water and sanitation, sports and culture preservation. These initiatives benefit 2 million people in 3,600 villages, showcasing the company’s commitment to community and environment.

The 5 Star Rating is a recognition of Hindustan Zinc’s best mining practices, environmental stewardship and social responsibility. S&P Global has declared Hindustan Zinc as the world’s most sustainable metals and mining company, and Hindustan Zinc’s commitment to sustainability and social impact is setting industry benchmarks.

The company is also working towards Net Zero by 2050 and has launched EcoZen, Asia’s first low carbon ‘green’ zinc brand produced with a 50% lower carbon footprint than the global average. As a leading zinc producer globally, Hindustan Zinc is playing a critical role in the journey to a sustainable future.

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Source: Vedanta