Hindustan Zinc Recycles 71 Bn Litres of Water Over Last 10 Years

Udaipur, Sept 5, 2025 - Hindustan Zinc Limited, India’s only and the world’s largest integrated zinc producer, has achieved a significant sustainability milestone by recycling 71 billion litres (71 million cubic metres) of treated sewage water between FY 2016 and FY 2025. This has led to a 28% reduction in the company’s reliance on freshwater. This amount is equivalent to the water requirement of the city of Udaipur for 500 days. Operating in Rajasthan — a State often plagued by water scarcity — this initiative by the company strengthens the goal of industrial development while conserving natural resources.

As a 3.32x water-positive company, Hindustan Zinc treats, recycles and reuses all process water, thus reducing its dependence on freshwater and safeguarding local ecosystems. The company is also furthering its commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6, which focuses on clean water and sanitation.

In collaboration with the Government of Rajasthan, Hindustan Zinc established Udaipur’s first Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) under a PPP (Public-Private Partnership) model in 2014. Over the last decade, the STP’s capacity has increased to 60 million litres per day (60 MLD). This state-of-the-art facility, the first of its kind in Rajasthan, plays a vital role in preventing the inflow of untreated sewage and pollution in Udaipur — the famous City of Lakes. This large-scale water reuse initiative not only ensures more availability of clean drinking water for local communities but also serves as a successful example of a public-private partnership addressing both urban sanitation and industrial water security.

Commenting on this achievement, Hindustan Zinc Limited’s CEO Arun Misra said, “Water is a shared heritage, and we have embraced water management that transforms challenges into opportunities. As a 3.32x water-positive company with zero effluent discharge, we are using cutting-edge technology to secure clean water for communities and setting new benchmarks in sustainable manufacturing. We are committed to reducing our freshwater usage by 50% and achieving 100% reuse of low-quality water in smelting operations by 2030.”

Hindustan Zinc has implemented water sustainability initiatives across all its operations. The company maintains advanced effluent treatment facilities at all major plants to ensure no effluent is discharged into the environment. Earlier this year, Hindustan Zinc inaugurated a new water treatment plant with a capacity of 4,000 kilolitres per day at the world’s largest underground zinc mine — the Rampura Agucha Mine — further enhancing its on-site water recycling capacity.

Recently, Hindustan Zinc became the first Indian company to join the International Council on Mining and Metals (ICMM). Additionally, for the second consecutive year, Hindustan Zinc was ranked the world’s most sustainable mining and metal company by the S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment 2024. These accolades highlight the company's role as an industry benchmark-setter. This achievement clearly demonstrates that resource-intensive industries can innovate to reduce environmental impact without compromising on growth. By investing in advanced water recycling technologies, fostering community partnerships, and aligning its strategies with international sustainability frameworks, Hindustan Zinc is driving a model shift in water-intensive industrial operations — both in India and globally.

#HindustanZinc #WaterRecycling #SustainableMining #FreshwaterReduction #ZeroDischarge #UdaipurSTP #GreenManufacturing #WaterPositive #ESGLeadership #CleanWaterGoals #MiningInnovation #IndiaSustainability