Udaipur, March 21, 2025 – In a landmark achievement ahead of World Water Day, Hindustan Zinc Limited (NSE: HINDZINC), India’s largest and the world’s second-largest integrated zinc producer, announced it has recycled over 18 billion litres of water in FY24—equivalent to the annual water usage of 1 lakh households in Rajasthan. Operating in one of India’s most water-stressed regions, the company has emerged as a 2.41 times water-positive and zero liquid discharge (ZLD) enterprise, showcasing its unwavering commitment to sustainable water management.
Scaling New Heights in Water Conservation
Through advanced recycling and reuse systems, Hindustan Zinc continues to operate with a zero liquid discharge policy, ensuring that all process water and effluents are treated and reused, dramatically reducing its dependence on freshwater. The company’s ZLD plants span across multiple locations including Zinc Smelter Debari, Dariba Smelting Complex, Chanderiya Lead Zinc Smelter, and Zawar Group of Mines.
Adding to its sustainability efforts, the company is set to inaugurate a new 4,000 KLD ZLD plant at Rampura Agucha, the world’s largest underground zinc mine, further reinforcing its mission of responsible water stewardship.
Empowering Communities Through Water Projects
Beyond operations, Hindustan Zinc is also driving community-level water conservation initiatives:
- In Bhilwara, pond renovation work across Agucha panchayat is revitalizing biodiversity and benefiting 25,000 people.
- In Rajsamand, pond deepening for four villages has boosted water storage by 55 million litres, impacting 10,000 residents, with plans to expand further.
- A lift irrigation project in Chanderiya supports 100 farmers across 50 acres, enabling efficient water use for crop cultivation.
In Bhilwara district, a large-scale groundwater recharge project across four blocks has created 8,700 million litres of groundwater potential through pond desilting, embankment reinforcement, and 358 recharge shafts.
Clean Water Access and Women Empowerment
Hindustan Zinc has set up Udaipur’s first sewage treatment plant (STP) under a PPP model, processing 60 million litres daily. The treated water is delivered to operations via a dedicated pipeline, preserving the purity of Udaipur’s lakes and reducing freshwater consumption.
To further improve rural access to drinking water:
- Nearly 4 million litres of potable water were provided via RO plants and water ATMs.
- Over 15 million litres were supplied to 20+ water-scarce villages via tankers in FY24.
The company also launched Jal Sakhi, a pioneering women-led enterprise in Rajsamand that has provided clean water to 50,000 people, empowering women through entrepreneurship while tackling water scarcity.
Sustainability at the Core of Operations
Priya Agarwal Hebbar, Chairperson of Hindustan Zinc, emphasized:
“Water is the foundation of a sustainable future. Our water stewardship extends beyond operational efficiency to ensure long-term security for both industries and communities. As a 2.41 times water-positive company, we embed sustainability at the core of our growth strategy.”
Hindustan Zinc, a Vedanta Group company, holds a 75% share in India’s primary zinc market and operates in over 40 countries. It was recently recognized as the world’s most sustainable metals and mining company for the second year in a row by the S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment 2024. Its innovations also include EcoZen, Asia’s first low-carbon ‘green’ zinc, which has a 75% lower carbon footprint than the global average.
With this latest milestone, Hindustan Zinc solidifies its role as a global sustainability leader, ensuring water security and supporting the environmental and economic well-being of future generations.
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.
