Hindustan Zinc Joins ICMM, Leading Responsible Mining

Hindustan Zinc Limited, India’s only and the world’s largest integrated zinc producer, has become the first Indian company to join the International Council on Mining and Metals (ICMM), marking a significant milestone for India in the global mining sector.

ICMM is a leadership organisation comprising 25 of the world’s foremost mining and metals companies committed to sustainable development, transparency, and ethical practices across the mining value chain. Hindustan Zinc’s membership follows a rigorous independent assessment and endorsement by ICMM’s Council, made up of CEOs from member companies, based on recommendations from the Independent Expert Review Panel (IERP). This marks the council’s first new member since 2021 and highlights its increasing engagement in South Asia.

Priya Agarwal Hebbar, Chairperson of Hindustan Zinc, said, “Hindustan Zinc’s induction into ICMM marks a proud milestone—not just for our company, but for India. This reaffirms our commitment to sustainability, innovation, and responsible resource development while creating opportunities to collaborate with some of the world’s most respected leaders in mining. We are ready to lead from the front, power the global energy transition, and set new benchmarks for the industry.”

By joining ICMM, Hindustan Zinc commits to the council’s 40 performance expectations, which cover Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) practices with third-party validation applied across all company operations.

Arun Misra, CEO and Whole-time Director of Hindustan Zinc, added, “It is both an honour and a big responsibility to become ICMM’s first Indian member. This marks a new chapter in our Sustainability 2.0 journey, grounded in transparency, innovation, and global best practices. Sustainability and good business go hand in hand for us, and we are committed to creating lasting positive impacts on our environment, communities, and industry.”

Rohitesh Dhawan, President and CEO of ICMM, welcomed Hindustan Zinc, stating, “We are delighted to have Hindustan Zinc as our first Indian member. This membership will strengthen our collective efforts and reinforce Hindustan Zinc’s leadership in India’s mining industry. It is a significant milestone and a key step in expanding our engagement in the region.”

Headquartered in Udaipur, Hindustan Zinc operates silver-lead-zinc underground mines, smelters, and related infrastructure across northwest India. The company is publicly listed and upholds independent governance, sustainability reporting, and disclosure practices. The IERP praised Hindustan Zinc’s leadership in tailings management, decarbonisation, circular economy, and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI).

Widely recognised as a sustainability leader in metals and mining, Hindustan Zinc was ranked the world’s most sustainable company in the sector by the S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment in 2024 for the second consecutive year. The company has set ambitious 2030 sustainable goals focused on climate action, biodiversity, water stewardship, circularity, and inclusive growth. It aims to achieve net zero emissions by 2050 or sooner and was the first Indian metals and mining company to secure Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi) validation aligned with the 1.5°C global warming limit.

In FY25, Hindustan Zinc reduced greenhouse gas emissions intensity by 15% compared to 2020, even as production increased. The company also began using renewable power for Asia’s first low-carbon zinc product, EcoZen, and maintains an Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) verified portfolio to ensure product transparency.

As the global economy shifts towards clean energy, Hindustan Zinc’s ICMM membership positions it as a global benchmark for responsible mining, amplifying India’s role in ethical resource development and balancing growth with environmental stewardship and social progress.