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) – a pivotal milestone that places India firmly on the global map of responsible mining.
A company statement said ICMM is a leadership body of 25 of the world’s leading mining and metals companies committed to advancing sustainable development, transparency, and ethical practices across the mining value chain.
Hindustan Zinc’s membership comes following a rigorous independent assessment and endorsement by ICMM’s Council, comprising the CEOs of member companies, based on recommendations from the Independent Expert Review Panel (IERP). This marks the council’s first new member since 2021 and reaffirms ICMM’s deepening engagement in South Asia.
Committed to performance expectations
Priya Agarwal Hebbar, Chairperson, Hindustan Zinc Limited, said: “HZL is the first company from India to join this council. This is our moment to lead from the front, power the global energy transition and set new benchmarks for the industry.”
With this milestone, Hindustan Zinc commits to ICMM’s 40 performance expectations that span Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) practices. These include third-party validation and apply across all company assets.
“It is both an honour and a big responsibility for Hindustan Zinc to become the first Indian company to join ICMM,” said Arun Misra, CEO & Whole-time Director, Hindustan Zinc.
This milestone marks a new chapter in HZL’s Sustainability 2.0 journey, grounded in transparency, innovation and global best practices. “…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,” he said.
Significant milestone
“Hindustan Zinc Limited’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 ICMM – our first new member since Boliden joined in 2021 and a key step in deepening our engagement in the region,” said Rohitesh Dhawan, President and CEO, ICMM.
Headquartered in Udaipur, Hindustan Zinc’s operations include silver-lead-zinc underground mines, smelters (metal production plant) and allied infrastructure across northwest India. As a publicly listed entity, the company maintains independent governance, sustainability reporting and disclosure practices.
In 2024, Hindustan Zinc was ranked the world’s most sustainable company in the sector by the S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment for the second consecutive year. Further, the company has adopted ambitious 2030 Sustainable Goals that target climate action, biodiversity, water stewardship, circularity and inclusive growth, the statement said.
Published on August 12, 2025