Hindustan Zinc Limited (HZL) is an Indian integrated mining and resources company engaged in the exploration, mining, smelting and refining of zinc, lead, silver and cadmium. Headquartered in Udaipur, Rajasthan, it operates some of the largest zinc-lead reserves in the world and is among the leading producers of refined zinc and silver globally. The company is a subsidiary of Vedanta Limited, part of the Vedanta Resources group, while the Government of India retains a significant minority stake.
| Name | Hindustan Zinc Limited |
|---|---|
| Type | Public limited company |
| Industry | Mining and metals |
| Products | Zinc, lead, silver, cadmium |
| Headquarters | Udaipur, Rajasthan, India |
| Parent | Vedanta Limited |
| Predecessor | Metal Corporation of India |
| Listings | BSE, NSE |
Zinc and lead mining in the Aravalli belt of Rajasthan has a long history, with ancient workings documented at Zawar dating back several centuries. Modern operations in the region were initiated by the Metal Corporation of India before being nationalised. Hindustan Zinc Limited was incorporated in 1966 as a public sector undertaking by taking over the assets of the Metal Corporation of India, with the objective of developing India's zinc-lead reserves and reducing import dependence.
For more than three decades the company functioned as a Government of India enterprise. As part of the central government's disinvestment programme of the early 2000s, a controlling stake was sold to Sterlite Opportunities and Ventures Limited, a Sterlite/Vedanta group company, in 2002. The Government of India retained a residual minority shareholding which continues to be the subject of policy discussion regarding eventual full divestment.
Hindustan Zinc's operations are concentrated in Rajasthan and include underground mines, smelters, refineries and captive power plants. Principal facilities include:
Silver, recovered as a by-product of lead smelting, has become a major revenue stream, placing the company among the largest silver producers in the world.
Hindustan Zinc is the largest integrated producer of zinc in India and meets a substantial share of domestic demand for galvanising-grade zinc, which is critical for the steel, construction, automotive and infrastructure sectors. It is also a strategic source of refined silver and lead. The company's mining operations in Rajasthan are among the country's most significant non-ferrous metal industrial clusters and contribute notably to state revenues, employment and ancillary industry in the Mewar region.
The company is listed on the Bombay Stock Exchange and the National Stock Exchange of India. Vedanta Limited is the majority shareholder, while the President of India, through the Ministry of Mines, holds a minority stake. The board comprises representatives of the parent company, government nominees and independent directors.