March 25, 2025 | Sustainability News | Rajasthan: In a groundbreaking step towards sustainable mining and responsible water management, Hindustan Zinc Limited (HZL) has inaugurated a 40 lakh litres per day (4 MLD) Water Treatment Plant at its Rampura Agucha underground mine, marking a first-of-its-kind initiative in India’s mining sector. The facility was launched by Hindustan Zinc CEO Arun Misra, reinforcing the company’s commitment to operational excellence and environmental stewardship.
A Global First for Underground Mines
The water treatment plant, which is the world’s first of its kind designed specifically for underground mining operations, aims to:
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Enhance process efficiency
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Reduce tailing dam water storage
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Improve structural stability
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Optimize froth flotation for higher metal recovery
With this plant, the Rampura Agucha mine’s water positivity index has increased from 3.2x to 5.5x, and freshwater usage has dropped by 40%, resulting in an annual water savings of over 12.5 billion litres.
Speaking at the inauguration, CEO Arun Misra said,
“This underground mine-based water treatment plant is a global first. It reflects Vedanta Hindustan Zinc’s top priority — water conservation. Especially in southern Rajasthan’s arid region, we focus on reusing, recycling, and minimizing freshwater usage. We’ve now extended our Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) systems even to our underground operations.”
He further added that the treated water quality is comparable or superior to potable water standards, crediting the success to the project and mining teams at Rampura Agucha.
Driving Sustainability in Mining
The new plant is a cornerstone in HZL’s broader strategy to reduce freshwater dependency and improve tailing dam stability, setting new standards in green mining practices.
Beyond operational gains, Hindustan Zinc is actively contributing to community water access and groundwater recharge. Some notable initiatives include:
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Desilting and restoration of village ponds in Agucha Panchayat, positively impacting 25,000+ residents and enhancing local biodiversity.
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A large-scale artificial groundwater recharge program in four blocks of Bhilwara district. Through:
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84 ponds cleaned
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358 recharge shafts constructed
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A groundwater recharge capacity of 87 million cubic meters (8.7 billion litres) has been created.
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Hindustan Zinc’s Water Management Achievements
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Recycled 180 billion litres of water in FY 2023-24 – equivalent to the annual water use of 1 lakh households in Rajasthan.
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Recognised as a 2.41x Water Positive company
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Maintains a Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) status, treating and reusing all process and waste water.
Operating in one of India’s most water-stressed states, Hindustan Zinc continues to lead by example in sustainable water management, contributing significantly to India’s environmental and ESG goals.
Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Udaipur Kiran, his insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.