World Nature Conservation Day: Hindustan Zinc Doubles Up Ecological Reclamation with TERI to 13 hectares

Udaipur,Hindustan Zinc Limited (NSE: HINDZINC), India’s only and the world’s largest integrated zinc producer, has marked a key milestone in its sustainability journey with the successful completion of 7 hectares of transformation under Phase 2 of its restoration project, launched in collaboration with The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI). The company started the Phase 2 of Jarofix yard restoration in August 2024. Recognized as the world’s most sustainable metals & mining company as per S&P Global CSA 2024, Hindustan Zinc has now transformed a total of 13 hectares – 6 hectares under Phase 1 and 7 hectares under Phase 2 of Jarofix-laden industrial wasteland at the world’s largest single location zinc-lead smelter, Chanderiya Lead Zinc Smelter in Rajasthan into a dense greenbelt using advanced Mycorrhiza technology. ,

The wasteland, which contains Jarofix (a residual waste generated during metal extraction) rich in iron, has begun undergoing a green transformation at Chanderiya. Leveraging Mycorrhiza technology, which fosters a symbiotic relationship between plant roots and fungi, Hindustan Zinc has enabled vegetation to thrive on this difficult terrain. After successfully transforming 6.25 hectares in the first phase, where over 11,000 native plants were planted, the company has now added 7 more hectares with an additional 15,000 native plant saplings, creating a high-density, self-sustaining ecosystem.

As part of its broader restoration strategy, the company carried out hydroseeding at multiple operational locations in Rajasthan using a rich mix of native tree and shrub seeds, including Dalbergia sissoo, Dalbergia latifolia, Acacia nilotica, Acacia catechu, and Pongamia pinnata, along with local varieties of grasses such as perennial rye and Bermuda. Small shrub seeds like Andrographis paniculata and Withania somnifera were also used to increase biodiversity and ground cover resilience.

On the occasion, Arun Misra, CEO – Hindustan Zinc commented “At Hindustan Zinc, we believe that industrial leadership must go hand in hand with environmental responsibility. The transformation of legacy industrial land into thriving green ecosystems reflects our commitment to reimagining mining for the future - one that regenerates, not just extracts. Through science-backed restoration, native afforestation and strategic biodiversity planning, we are not only building ecological resilience around our operations but also contributing meaningfully to India’s environmental goals and global benchmarks like the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.”

Complementing this large-scale greenbelt effort, Hindustan Zinc has also adopted the Miyawaki afforestation method across its operations. Known for its ability to accelerate ecosystem restoration, this method enables plant growth that is 10 times faster and results in plantations that are 30 times denser than conventional methods. It involves planting dozens of native species in proximity, creating a self-sustaining forest within just three years. These forests significantly boost carbon sequestration and support local biodiversity.

Through the implementation of the Miyawaki method, Hindustan Zinc has already transformed 2.4 hectares across its Debari, Dariba, and Chanderiya units, planting 32,500 saplings from over 65 native species. The most recent addition includes a 1000 square meters Miyawaki forest at the Kayad mine in Rajasthan, further strengthening the company’s ecological restoration efforts.

In parallel, Hindustan Zinc continues to integrate nature-positive strategies into its core business planning. As part of its three-year engagement with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the company has successfully developed site-specific Biodiversity Management Plans (BMPs) for all its operational units. These plans guide biodiversity conservation, ecosystem restoration, and mine closure planning aligned with global best practices.

Hindustan Zinc has also recently signed an MoU (memorandum of understanding) with Department of Forest, Udaipur to rejuvenate Baghdarrah crocodile conservation reserve. With an investment of INR 5 crores, this initiative marks a significant step in public-private partnership for ecological restoration and aims to transform the nearly 400-hectare reserve into a thriving habitat for marsh crocodiles.

These initiatives align with Hindustan Zinc’s broader ESG (Environmental, Social & Governance) agenda, which includes a sharp focus on land restoration, water stewardship, responsible mining and biodiversity protection. The company also leads Indian industry in nature risk disclosure, having become the first in the sector to launch a Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD) report. Earlier this year, 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. 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.

About Hindustan Zinc

Hindustan Zinc Limited (BSE: 500188 and NSE: HINDZINC), a Vedanta Group company, is the world’s largest integrated zinc producer and is amongst the top 5 silver producers globally. The company supplies to more than 40 countries and holds a market share of about 77% of the primary zinc market in India. Hindustan Zinc has been recognized as the world’s most sustainable company in the metals and mining category for the second consecutive year by the S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment 2024, reflecting its operational excellence, innovation, and leading ESG practices. The company also launched EcoZen, Asia's first low carbon 'green' zinc brand. Produced using renewable energy, EcoZen has a carbon footprint of less than 1 tonne of carbon equivalent per tonne of zinc produced, about 75% lower than the global average. Hindustan Zinc is also a certified 3.32 times Water-Positive company and is committed to achieving Net Zero emissions by 2050 or sooner. Transforming the lives of 2.3 million people through its focused social welfare initiatives, Hindustan Zinc is among the Top 10 CSR companies in India. As an energy transition metals company, Hindustan Zinc is pivotal in providing critical metals essential for a sustainable future.