The world’s largest and India’s only integrated zinc producer Hindustan Zinc has joined mining and metals advocacy group ICMM as its twenty-fifth company member. 

In line with the ICMM’s member admission process, Hindustan Zinc underwent a rigorous independent assessment of its performance against ICMM’s mining principles.

Based on the recommendation of ICMM’s independent expert review panel (IERP), the ICMM’s council, represented by the CEOs of each company member, endorsed Hindustan Zinc’s admission, making it the ICMM’s first ever Indian member.  

Hindustan Zinc’s operations comprise lead/zinc mines, smelters and ancillary infrastructure in north-west India. It is headquartered in Udaipur and independently listed on the National Stock Exchange (NSE) and Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) with its own board, sustainability report and policies.

The IERP recognised Hindustan Zinc’s leadership on several aspects of the ICMM’s member commitments, including tailings management, diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI), circular economy and decarbonisation.

“We are delighted to welcome Hindustan Zinc as the ICMM’s first Indian member. Hindustan Zinc’s membership will not only strengthen our collective efforts but also reinforce its own leadership within India’s mining industry.

“This is a significant milestone for the ICMM, our first new member since 2021 and a key step in deepening our engagement in the region. The growing interest from companies in joining the ICMM reflects the positive momentum we’re seeing in our mission to influence the broader mining industry,” ICMM president and CEO Rohitesh Dhawan said on August 12.

“It is both an honour and a deep responsibility for Hindustan Zinc to become the first Indian company to join the ICMM. This milestone marks a new chapter in our Sustainability 2.0 journey, grounded in transparency, innovation and global best practices.

“For us, sustainability and good business go hand in hand, and it is a strategic imperative to create lasting positive impact on our environment, our communities and the industry at large.

“As we integrate the ICMM’s principles across every facet of our operations, we look forward to sharing our insights and gaining perspectives from global peers, contributing to a safer, more responsible future for mining worldwide and the planet,” Hindustan Zinc CEO and director Arun Misra said.

By becoming a member, Hindustan Zinc commits to the ICMM’s mining principles, which define good practice environmental, social and governance requirements for the mining industry through a comprehensive set of 40 performance expectations.

They apply at asset level and include third-party assurance and validation. Applicable to all ICMM company members, they apply to about 650 sites in 50 countries.