Udaipur, April 12, 2025 | Business News — In a groundbreaking move that’s redefining the future of the mining industry in India, Hindustan Zinc Limited has become the first metals and mining company in the country to integrate women into night shift roles in underground surface mining operations. This milestone reflects the company’s bold commitment to gender inclusion, safety, and progressive workplace reforms.
Women Break New Ground at World’s Largest Zinc Mine
Women employees have now officially joined night shifts (10 PM to 6 AM) at the Rampura Agucha mine in Bhilwara, Rajasthan – the world’s largest underground zinc operation. An all-women team will manage the mill control room operations, marking a historic first for India’s mining sector.
Women have already been successfully deployed in night shifts at Pantnagar Metal Plant (Uttarakhand) and Chanderiya Smelting Complex (Rajasthan). Now, with the integration at Kayad mine in Ajmer and other smelter sites, Hindustan Zinc is setting a new benchmark for inclusion in industrial operations.
“By integrating women in night shifts at our underground mines, we’re not just breaking barriers — we’re setting new benchmarks for inclusion,” said Priya Agarwal Hebbar, Chairperson – Hindustan Zinc Limited.
Driving Gender Diversity and Safety with Technology
With this move, Hindustan Zinc has achieved a gender diversity ratio of over 25%, among the highest in India’s metals, mining, and heavy engineering sectors. Over 33% of its FY25 campus recruits were women, highlighting its growing appeal as an inclusive employer.
To make this possible, the company leverages cutting-edge technologies such as Industry 4.0, robotics, digital mines, and tele-remote mining, eliminating manual intervention and making operations more accessible and safe for all.
All deployments follow stringent DGMS (Directorate General of Mines Safety) norms and are backed by robust protocols and inclusive HR policies, including:
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Spouse hiring policy
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Flexible working hours
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Sabbaticals for childcare
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Monthly wellness leaves for women
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Comprehensive health and safety measures
Empowering Voices from the Frontline
Yashika Ramnani, Graduate Trainee – Mill Operations at Rampura Agucha, shared her excitement:
“I’m proud to be one of the first women to be deployed in a night shift. The strong mentorship and opportunities here have given me the confidence to push boundaries.”
Subhasmita Parida, Associate Manager – Mill Operations, added:
“Being part of this pioneering team will help me grow both professionally and personally. It’s a proud moment.”
Industry Leadership and Global Recognition
A Vedanta Group company, Hindustan Zinc holds a 75% share in India’s primary zinc market and is the third-largest silver producer globally. It has been recognized as the world’s most sustainable metals and mining company for two consecutive years by the S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment (2024) and is a 2.41x water-positive certified company.
This latest milestone reflects Hindustan Zinc’s bold vision for the future — where inclusion drives innovation and every employee, regardless of gender, has equal access to leadership and growth in India’s industrial transformation.
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.