World Environment Day: Hindustan Zinc turns 3.32 times Water Positive Company
• The company also
announced its ambitious 2030 Sustainability Goals on World Environment Day
• The company has committed
to reducing its freshwater consumption by 50% by 2030
On World Environment Day,
Hindustan Zinc Limited, 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.