Hindustan Zinc, the zinc producer, has reached an impressive milestone of women making up 25 per cent of its workforce. Upholding the company’s commitment to gender diversity in an industry that is otherwise dominated by men, Hindustan Zinc is determined to take this figure to 30 per cent by 2030, in line with its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
While the metals, mining and heavy engineering industry rarely attracts women, Hindustan Zinc employs India’s first women underground mine managers and has established the country’s first and second all-women underground mine rescue teams.
Priya Agarwal Hebbar, chairperson, Hindustan Zinc, believes, “For any business to thrive, equal representation is not just important – it’s essential. 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.”
According to Agarwal, the company wishes to “achieve 30 per cent diversity within the next five years. The growing number of women choosing careers in mining and metallurgy is a testament to this shift, which is fueled by our industry-first, people-centric policies and a wealth of opportunities designed for holistic professional growth.”
With “diversity, equity, and inclusion embedded in Hindustan Zinc’s DNA” the company is “committed to building a workplace where every individual—regardless of gender – has a voice, access to opportunities, and the support to excel.”
The company is keen to foster an inclusive workplace so that women are empowered at every stage of their careers. The employees are ensured the best of both worlds – the stability of a global conglomerate with the agility of a start-up. Talent mobility across functions allows them to explore diverse roles and seamlessly transition across different domains. Progressive workplace policies, such as spouse-hiring policy, physical and mental health leaves, year-long sabbaticals for childcare, flexible working hours, monthly no-questions-asked leaves for women only enhance opportunities, ensuring that gender ceases to be a barrier to career advancement.
The company is also integrating women in backshifts (up to 10 PM) across mines and plants beyond the general shift timings, ensuring women have access to all the career growth opportunities available to their male counterparts.
By leveraging cutting-edge technologies such as Industry 4.0, digitalisation, robotics and automation, Hindustan Zinc is revolutionising operations, eliminating manual intervention, and dismantling outdated perceptions of the sector being physically demanding. The company’s digital mines, featuring tele-remote underground mining (where underground mining equipment is operated remotely from the surface) and real-time analytics, provide exciting and inclusive career pathways for all. This has resulted in more than 34 per cent women joining Hindustan Zinc through campus recruitment drives in FY24, making Hindustan Zinc the top choice for women in metals.
In the words of Kavita Bhardwaj, head of exploration, Hindustan Zinc, “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, shared how “Women are no longer just participants in change” but are actually “leading it”. At Hindustan Zinc, women “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.”
The Vedanta Group company’s social-impact initiatives are driving economic independence for women in rural communities. Through the Zinc Kaushal Kendra, over 500 women have been trained in science-based vocational courses such as nursing and electrical work, enhancing their employability and financial independence. Additionally, the company’s Sakhi initiative nurtures women-led micro-enterprises, empowering women entrepreneurs in rural Rajasthan by facilitating e-commerce sales for their products.
Hindustan Zinc’s world-class townships, located near its plants, provide modern amenities such as schools, hospitals, daycare centres, creches, places of worship, and sports and recreational facilities, fostering a vibrant social life for employees and their families.
