Udaipur, September 17, 2026: Hindustan Zinc Limited, the world’s largest integrated zinc producer and among the top 10 silver producers globally, added 32 million tonnes of gross ore resources and reserves in FY 2025-26, strengthening its exploration programme.

The company completed more than 464 kilometres of drilling during the year, with mineralisation found in over 88% of the drill holes.

The achievement came alongside record production. Hindustan Zinc’s mined metal production reached an all-time high of 1.114 million tonnes in FY 2025-26.

Ore Reserves Rise Nearly 16%

Along with record production, the company’s ore reserves increased by nearly 16% to 219.1 million tonnes, compared with 189.1 million tonnes in the previous year.

Its total resources and reserves reached a record 468.6 million tonnes. According to the company, this provides a strong raw material base for more than 25 years of mine life and supports its future expansion plans.

At the end of FY 2025-26, the company’s metal reserves stood at 13.9 million tonnes, the highest level since the adoption of underground mining.

Exploration in the mining industry is important not only to replace ore extracted during production but also to build additional reserves for future growth. The continued increase in resources and reserves alongside record production indicates the potential of the company’s existing mining assets for future development.

More Than 88% Drill Holes Show Mineralisation

Hindustan Zinc’s exploration programme combines advanced geophysical and geochemical techniques, three-dimensional geological modelling and data-based analysis with extensive drilling.

During FY 2025-26, mineralisation was found in 88.08% of the drilled holes, reflecting the company’s exploration approach, according to the company.

The programme focuses on identifying extensions of existing mineralised zones and exploring the potential for new resources.

As part of its long-term growth strategy, the company is focusing on faster exploration, converting resources into reserves and deeper exploration activities to increase its metal reserves and strengthen the resource base required for future expansion.

Focus on Becoming a Multi-Metal Company

Beyond zinc, lead and silver, Hindustan Zinc is also evaluating the potential of other minerals present in its ore reserves.

The company aims to expand beyond being a zinc-lead-silver producer and develop as a multi-metal company. The strategy is also expected to contribute to increasing the domestic availability of critical metals for India’s manufacturing, infrastructure and energy transition sectors.

Hindustan Zinc CEO Amarendu Prakash said a strong resource base is critical for the long-term success of any mining company.

He said the company is moving towards ‘Hindustan Zinc 2.0’ and is using exploration to increase mined volumes and reserves while strengthening the future potential of its assets. Adding 32 million tonnes of resources and reserves in a year of record production, he said, demonstrates the quality and long-term potential of the company’s mining assets.

Prakash added that the company will continue investing in technology-driven exploration and build a strong resource base for Hindustan Zinc’s next phase of growth.

With one of the world’s largest zinc-lead resource bases, Hindustan Zinc’s exploration programme has become an important foundation for its future growth and capacity expansion.

Through its subsidiary Hindmetal Exploration Services, the company is also expanding exploration activities beyond its existing zinc-lead-silver operations into new mineral areas, with the aim of building a stronger and more diversified multi-metal portfolio.