Udaipur, 14th April 2025:
The only integrated zinc producer in India and the largest in the world, Surface (Mill), has made history by allowing women to work the night shift in underground mining. The women have been assigned to Rampura Agucha, which is in Bhilwara, Rajasthan, and is the location of the biggest underground zinc mining operations in the world. An all-female team will work full night shifts from 10 PM to 6 AM in mining operations throughout the mill control room as a result of this progressive move. Women have been effectively employed by Hindustan Zinc to work night shifts in smelting operations at the Chanderiya Smelting Complex in Chittorgarh (Rajasthan) and the Pantnagar Metal Plant in Uttarakhand. Additionally, women have been effectively employed to work night shifts in the Control Room for mining operations at the company’s Kayad mine in Ajmer, Rajasthan. Previously, women were only allowed to work the day shift due to regulatory requirements. Women now have equal access to career opportunities as men thanks to this development.
- The company has integrated women in night shifts in surface operations
- Hindustan Zinc has achieved a gender diversity ratio of 25%, one of the highest in metals, mining and heavy engineering industries
- The company has integrated women employees in night shift and back shift across majority of its smelter sites
This momentous action marks yet another turning point in Hindustan Zinc’s efforts to revolutionize the historically male-dominated fields of heavy engineering, mining, and metals. In the past, the organization has spearheaded industry-first projects by hiring India’s first female underground mine managers and creating the country’s first all-female underground mine rescue team At important sites like the Dariba Smelting Complex, Zawar Mines, and Sindesar Khurd Mine, where operational shifts last until 10 PM, women are also actively participating in back shifts (10 PM to 6 AM). As a result of its persistent efforts, Hindustan Zinc has one of the highest gender diversity ratios in India’s mining, heavy engineering, and metals industries, at over 25%. “Hindustan Zinc and the mining industry in India are both proud of this moment. We’re not only shattering stereotypes but also establishing new standards for inclusion on the ground by allowing women to work night shifts at our underground mines,” stated Priya Agarwal Hebbar, Chairperson of Hindustan Zinc Limited. It reflects our conviction that real progress can only be made when each person is given the freedom to lead with courage, participate completely, and prosper on an equal basis. We’re still genuinely dedicated to creating an environment where diversity fosters creativity and expansion,” she continued. Hindustan Zinc is transforming operations, doing away with manual intervention, and dispelling antiquated notions that the industry is physically taxing by utilizing cutting-edge technologies like Industry 4.0, digitalization, robotics, and automation. With features like real-time analytics and tele-remote underground mining, which allows underground mining equipment to be operated remotely from the surface, the company’s digital mines offer everyone exciting and inclusive career pathways. As a result, Hindustan Zinc is now the top choice for women in metals, with over 33% of women joining the company through campus recruitment drives in FY25. Women are now able to work on mine property, including underground operations, thanks to Hindustan Zinc’s enforcement of the Directorate General of Mines Safety’s (DGMS) regulations. Strong procedures and employee-focused policies at Hindustan Zinc support women employees, guaranteeing their empowerment throughout their careers. Gender is never a barrier to career advancement thanks to progressive workplace policies like spouse hiring, physical and mental health leaves, year-long sabbaticals for childcare, flexible working hours, and monthly no-questions-asked leaves for women. The company’s ability to offer its employees rich job content across high-growth businesses is what makes it genuinely unique. Workers benefit from the stability of a multinational corporation combined with the flexibility of a start-up.
Yashika Ramnani, Graduate Trainee-Mill Operations at Rampura Agucha, expressed her feelings about this milestone by saying, “I’m proud to be one of the first women to be deployed in night shift.” I feel empowered to push boundaries and achieve in ways I never thought possible because of Hindustan Zinc’s inclusive culture, excellent mentorship, and opportunities. Furthermore, Subhasmita Parida, Associate Manager of Mill Operations at Rampura Agucha, stated: “The abundance of opportunities at Hindustan Zinc have allowed me to develop and broaden my knowledge.” Being among the first female members of this team will enable me to acquire useful skills that will increase my self-assurance and independence. This project will help me grow both personally and professionally. The Vedanta Group company Hindustan Zinc is the third-largest producer of silver and the largest integrated zinc producer in the world. The company’s market share in India’s primary zinc market is approximately 75%. Hindustan Zinc’s operational excellence, innovation, and leading ESG practices have earned it recognition as the world’s most sustainable company in the metals and mining category for the second year in a row by the S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment 2024. Additionally, Hindustan Zinc holds a 2.41-times Water-Positive certification. Hindustan Zinc, a global leader in the mining and metals sector, plays a crucial role in supplying vital metals needed for the world’s energy transition to a sustainable future.
About Hindustan Zinc
The Vedanta Group company Hindustan Zinc Limited (BSE: 500188 and NSE: HINDZINC) is the third-largest producer of silver and the largest integrated zinc producer in the world. The company has a 75% market share in India’s primary zinc market and supplies to over 40 countries. Hindustan Zinc’s operational excellence, innovation, and leading ESG practices have earned it recognition as the world’s most sustainable company in the metals and mining category for the second year in a row by the S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment 2024. It also introduced Asia’s first low-carbon ‘green’ zinc brand, EcoZen. EcoZen, which is produced with renewable energy, has a carbon footprint that is roughly 75% lower than the global average, with less than 1 tonne of carbon equivalent per tonne of zinc produced. In addition to being a 2.41 times Water-Positive certified company, Hindustan Zinc is dedicated to reaching Net Zero emissions by 2050 or earlier. Hindustan Zinc is one of the Top 10 CSR companies in India, changing the lives of 1.9 million people with its targeted social welfare programs. Hindustan Zinc, an energy transition metals company, plays a key role in supplying vital metals needed for a sustainable future.
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