Hindustan Zinc encourages female workforce in manufacturing

Reaffirming its dedication to gender diversity and inclusion in the mining and metals business, Hindustan Zinc has achieved a 25 percent female worker milestone.

Ahead of International Women’s Day 2025, Hindustan Zinc Limited (NSE: HINDZINC), the biggest and second-largest integrated zinc producer in the world, achieved a historic milestone known as “25 on 25”: 25 percent of its workforce is female. In the historically male-dominated fields of heavy engineering, mining, and metals, this milestone reaffirms the company’s dedication to gender diversity. In addition, Hindustan Zinc is still on course to meet its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of having 30 percent of its workforce be women by 2030.

The gender diversity ratio of Hindustan Zinc exceeds industry standards, putting it ahead of a number of local and international competitors in the metals and mining sector. Notably, Hindustan Zinc has formed the first and second all-female underground mine rescue teams in India and is home to the first female underground mine supervisors.

Priya Agarwal Hebbar, Chairperson – Hindustan Zinc Limited, says, “For any business to thrive, equal representation is not just important – it’s essential. A truly successful organization values every voice and ensures that diverse perspectives shape its future. At Hindustan Zinc, we take pride in championing gender diversity in the traditional metals and mining sector. Today, over 700 talented women are driving our transition toward a low-carbon economy, breaking barriers and redefining industry norms. Our vision is ambitious yet clear – to significantly accelerate this momentum and achieve 30% diversity within the next five years. The growing number of women choosing careers in mining and metallurgy is a testament to this shift – one fueled by our industry-first, people-centric policies and a wealth of opportunities designed for holistic professional growth. Diversity, equity, and inclusion are embedded in Hindustan Zinc’s DNA. We are committed to building a workplace where every individual—regardless of gender – has a voice, access to opportunities, and the support to excel.”

Hindustan Zinc is dedicated to creating an inclusive workplace that enables women at every level of their careers, especially as the metals, mining, and manufacturing sector emerges as a major force behind India’s economic change. The company’s ability to offer its employees substantial 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. They can experiment with a variety of positions and move fluidly between domains thanks to talent mobility between functions. Gender is never a barrier to job progression due to progressive workplace policies including spouse hiring, physical and mental health leaves, year-long sabbaticals for childcare, flexible working hours, and monthly no-questions-asked leaves for women. To give women the same opportunity for career advancement as men, the firm is now incorporating women into backshifts (up to 10 PM) across mines and factories outside of regular shift timings.

Hindustan Zinc is transforming operations, doing away with manual intervention, and dispelling antiquated notions that the industry is physically taxing by utilising cutting-edge technology like Industry 4.0, digitalisation, robotics, and automation. With features like real-time analytics and tele-remote underground mining, which allows underground mining equipment to be managed remotely from the surface, the company’s digital mines offer everyone fascinating and inclusive career possibilities. As a result, Hindustan Zinc is now the #1 choice for women in metals, with more than 34 percent of women entering the company through university recruiting drives in FY24.

Dr. Kavita Bhardwaj, Head of Exploration – Hindustan Zinc Limited, shared her experience, stating, “At Hindustan Zinc, talent—not gender—defines success. The company’s inclusive culture, strong mentorship, and leadership opportunities have empowered me to take on diverse and challenging roles, giving me the confidence to push boundaries and excel in ways I never imagined.” 

Sakshi Gupta, member of India’s First All-Women Underground Mine Rescue Team & Assurance Manager, adds, “Women are no longer just participants in change we are leading it. Mining, once considered a male-dominated field, is now witnessing a revolution. At Hindustan Zinc we are not just given opportunities; we are encouraged to innovate, break barriers, and redefine the future of metals. The culture of support and empowerment has enabled us to challenge conventions and set new industry benchmarks.

Beyond the workplace, Hindustan Zinc is dedicated to inclusivity. A thriving social life is fostered for employees and their families by the company’s world-class townships, which are situated close to its factories and offer contemporary services including schools, hospitals, nursery schools, creches, places of worship and sports and recreational facilities.

In addition to providing direct employment, Hindustan Zinc’s social impact programs are helping women in rural areas become economically independent. More than 500 women have received training in science-based vocational programs like nursing and electrical work via Zinc Kaushal Kendra, improving their employability and financial security. Furthermore, by enabling e-commerce sales for their goods, the company’s Sakhi project supports women-led microbusinesses and empowers women entrepreneurs in rural Rajasthan.

The Vedanta Group company Hindustan Zinc is the third-largest producer of silver and the second-largest integrated zinc producer in the world. The company’s market share in India’s primary zinc market is approximately 75 percent. Hindustan Zinc’s operational performance, innovation, and leading ESG policies have earned it recognition as the world’s most sustainable company in the metals and mining sector 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.

For more details, visit: https://www.hzlindia.com/home/

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