UDAIPUR (India CSR): On World Environment Day, Hindustan Zinc Limited (BSE: 500188 & NSE: HINDZINC), India’s only and the world’s largest integrated zinc producer, announced that it has turned 3.32 times water positive. This leap from the previously certified index of 2.41 demonstrates the company’s continued commitment to responsible water stewardship. The milestone has been independently verified by DNV Business Assurance India Pvt. Ltd., following a comprehensive on-site and data-based audit.
Operating in Rajasthan, one of the India’s most water stressed regions, Hindustan Zinc reinforces its position as a water positive and zero liquid discharge (ZLD) company. Aligning with the UN SDG 6 (Sustainability Development Goals) of clean water and sanitation, the company has maintained a zero liquid discharge approach that ensures process water & effluent is treated, recycled, and reused, significantly reducing its reliance on freshwater while eliminating liquid discharge.
On World Environment Day, Hindustan Zinc also announced its ambitious 2030 Sustainability Goals. The goals cover ambitious targets spanning various thematic areas such as climate action, water stewardship, biodiversity conservation, safety & wellbeing at workplace, responsible sourcing, circular economy, workforce diversity and social performance. The company has committed to reducing its freshwater consumption by 50% by 2030 across its operations from the 2020 baseline, thereby contributing to increased freshwater availability for communities within the shared watershed. Additionally, the company has also committed to secure 100% low-quality water for its smelting operations.
Speaking on the occasion, Priya Agarwal Hebbar, Chairperson – Hindustan Zinc Limited, said, “As the world’s most sustainable metals & mining company, we believe that water is not just a resource – it is a shared legacy and a critical enabler of sustainable development. Today, as a 3.32 times water-positive company, we are proud to go above & beyond – actively replenishing water sources, restoring ecosystems, and building long-term resilience for the communities around us. By integrating responsible water management across every facet of our operations, we are not only safeguarding this vital resource but also setting a benchmark for sustainable metal production. With our Sustainability Goals 2030, we are reinforcing our pledge to create long-term value through sustainable business practices that shape a resilient future for all.”
Earlier this year, the company inaugurated a 4,000 kilolitres per day (KLD) Zero Liquid Discharge plant at Rampura Agucha (Rajasthan), home to the world’s largest underground zinc mining operations.
Commemorating World Environment Day, Hindustan Zinc kicked off a mass plantation drive and pledged to plant over 1.5 lakh saplings across its business units in year 2025, reinforcing its commitment to fostering environmental stewardship across its operations and beyond. The company organized a week-long series of engaging activities such as environment quizzes, sapling distribution and competitions like waste to wealth, resources revival challenge, ecofriendly cricket tournaments, aimed to foster environmental awareness and climate action among its stakeholders.
Notably, Hindustan Zinc was the first Indian company in the metals & mining sector to secure validated Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi) targets, aligning with the ambitious 1.5°C global warming threshold. Further establishing its strong commitment to sustainability, the company’s extensive product portfolio is Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) verified thus providing comparable data on the product’s environmental footprint. The company has also received the prestigious Leadership Band (A-) designation from the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) for its exemplary efforts in water security and climate change in FY23.
