Prime Highlights
- Hindustan Zinc celebrated International Women in Mining Day by recognising more than 740 women working across its mining and smelting operations.
- Women now account for 26.4% of the company’s workforce, making it one of Asia’s largest employers of women in mining.
Key Facts
- Women at Hindustan Zinc work in underground mines, digital control rooms, remote operations, rescue teams and smelters.
- The company aims to increase gender diversity to 30% by 2030 through initiatives such as its Zinclusion programme.
Background
Hindustan Zinc Limited, the world’s largest integrated zinc producer and one of the top 10 silver producers globally, marked International Women in Mining Day by honouring more than 740 women professionals across its mining and smelting operations nationwide.
Women now make up 26.4 per cent of the company’s workforce, placing Hindustan Zinc Limited among Asia’s largest groups of women in mining.
These women professionals work across underground mines, digital control rooms, remote operations, mine rescue teams, smelters and night shifts.
The company said advancements such as automation, modern safety technologies, remote operations and real-time monitoring have helped create a safer and more accessible working environment for women in mining.
Sandhya Rasakatla, the company’s first woman underground mine manager, said Hindustan Zinc Limited had made mining more accessible through safer, technology led workplaces. She added that the company had given her the confidence to enter a field she once found challenging.
Women at the company contribute to remote blasting, tele remote equipment handling, operational intelligence platforms and digital control rooms. Hindustan Zinc Limited also runs India’s first all women underground mine rescue team and employs the country’s first woman underground mining professional.
Arun Misra, Chief Executive Officer of Hindustan Zinc Limited, said the future of mining would depend on both technology and the diversity of people shaping the industry. He said the company aimed to reach 30 per cent gender diversity by 2030.
Nehal Solanki, a Mining Engineer at the company, said she had experienced firsthand how the organisation gave women the trust and support to grow as professionals, regardless of gender.
Hindustan Zinc’s journey toward greater workforce diversity has been strengthened by its Zinclusion programme, which provides dedicated support, inclusive policies and professional development opportunities for women and LGBTQ+ employees.
