Hindustan Zinc has Women Take on Night Shifts in Mining Operations
COAL & MINING

Hindustan Zinc has Women Take on Night Shifts in Mining Operations

Hindustan Zinc Limited, India’s only and the world’s largest integrated zinc producer, has taken a historic step by integrating women in night shift at Surface (Mill) in underground mining. The women have been deployed at Rampura Agucha, home to the world’s largest underground zinc mining operations in Bhilwara (Rajasthan). This progressive move will see an all-women team working full night shifts from 10 PM to 6 AM in mining operations across the mill control room. At Hindustan Zinc, women have been successfully deployed in night shift in smelting operations at the company’s, Pantnagar Metal Plant in Uttarakhand and the Chanderiya Smelting Complex in Chittorgarh (Rajasthan). Also, the company’s Kayad mine in Ajmer (Rajasthan) has successfully deployed women in night shifts at the Control Room for mining operations. Earlier, per regulatory norms women were permitted to work only in the day shift. This development allows women to access the same career opportunities as their male counterparts. This historic move is yet another milestone in Hindustan Zinc’s journey to transform the traditionally male-dominated sectors of metals, mining, and heavy engineering. The company has previously led industry-first initiatives by appointing India’s first female underground mine managers and establishing the nation’s first all-women underground mine rescue team. Women are also actively contributing across back shifts (10 PM to 6 AM) at key locations, including the Dariba Smelting Complex, Zawar Mines, and Sindesar Khurd Mine, where operational shifts extend till 10 PM. Reflecting its sustained efforts, Hindustan Zinc has achieved a gender diversity ratio of over 25% - one of the highest in India’s metals, mining, and heavy engineering sectors. "This is a proud moment for Hindustan Zinc, and for India’s mining sector. By integrating women in night shifts at our underground mines, we’re not just breaking barriers, but we’re setting new benchmarks for inclusion on ground." said Priya Agarwal Hebbar, Chairperson, Hindustan Zinc Limited. “It reflects our belief that true progress lies in empowering every individual to participate fully, lead fearlessly, and thrive equally. We remain truly committed to building a workplace where diversity drives innovation and growth”, she further added. 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 33% women joining Hindustan Zinc through campus recruitment drives in FY25, making Hindustan Zinc the top choice for women in metals. Hindustan Zinc has ensured adherence with the Directorate General of Mines Safety (DGMS) guidelines, enabling women to work within mine premises, including underground operations. Women working in Hindustan Zinc are supported with robust protocols and employee-focused policies, ensuring that women are empowered at every stage of their careers. Progressive workplace policies, such as spouse hiring policy, physical & mental health leaves, year-long sabbaticals for childcare, flexible-working hours, monthly no-questions-asked leaves for women further enhance opportunities, ensuring that gender is never a barrier to career advancement. What is truly unique is the company’s ability to provide rich job content to its employees across high-growth businesses. Employees enjoy the best of both worlds - the stability of a global conglomerate with the agility of a start-up. Sharing her thoughts on this milestone, Yashika Ramnani, Graduate Trainee – Mill Operations, Rampura Agucha, said, “I’m proud to be one of the first women to be deployed in night shift. Hindustan Zinc’s inclusive culture, strong mentorship, and opportunities have given me the confidence to push boundaries and excel in ways I never imagined.” Adding to this, Subhasmita Parida - Associate Manager – Mill Operations, Rampura Agucha, said, “The wave of opportunities provided at Hindustan Zinc have helped me grow and expand my knowledge base. Being one of the first women to be a part of this team will help me gain valuable skills making me more independent and confident. This initiative will support my professional and personal growth”. Hindustan Zinc, a Vedanta Group company, is the world’s largest integrated zinc producer and the third-largest silver producer. The company holds a market share of about 75% of the primary zinc market in India. Hindustan Zinc has been recognized as the world’s most sustainable company in the metals and mining category for the second consecutive year by the S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment 2024, reflecting its operational excellence, innovation, and leading ESG practices. Hindustan Zinc is also a certified 2.41 times Water-Positive company. As a world leader in the metals and mining industry, Hindustan Zinc is pivotal in providing critical metals essential for the global energy transition for a sustainable future.

Hindustan Zinc Limited, India’s only and the world’s largest integrated zinc producer, has taken a historic step by integrating women in night shift at Surface (Mill) in underground mining. The women have been deployed at Rampura Agucha, home to the world’s largest underground zinc mining operations in Bhilwara (Rajasthan). This progressive move will see an all-women team working full night shifts from 10 PM to 6 AM in mining operations across the mill control room. At Hindustan Zinc, women have been successfully deployed in night shift in smelting operations at the company’s, Pantnagar Metal Plant in Uttarakhand and the Chanderiya Smelting Complex in Chittorgarh (Rajasthan). Also, the company’s Kayad mine in Ajmer (Rajasthan) has successfully deployed women in night shifts at the Control Room for mining operations. Earlier, per regulatory norms women were permitted to work only in the day shift. This development allows women to access the same career opportunities as their male counterparts. This historic move is yet another milestone in Hindustan Zinc’s journey to transform the traditionally male-dominated sectors of metals, mining, and heavy engineering. The company has previously led industry-first initiatives by appointing India’s first female underground mine managers and establishing the nation’s first all-women underground mine rescue team. Women are also actively contributing across back shifts (10 PM to 6 AM) at key locations, including the Dariba Smelting Complex, Zawar Mines, and Sindesar Khurd Mine, where operational shifts extend till 10 PM. Reflecting its sustained efforts, Hindustan Zinc has achieved a gender diversity ratio of over 25% - one of the highest in India’s metals, mining, and heavy engineering sectors. This is a proud moment for Hindustan Zinc, and for India’s mining sector. By integrating women in night shifts at our underground mines, we’re not just breaking barriers, but we’re setting new benchmarks for inclusion on ground. said Priya Agarwal Hebbar, Chairperson, Hindustan Zinc Limited. “It reflects our belief that true progress lies in empowering every individual to participate fully, lead fearlessly, and thrive equally. We remain truly committed to building a workplace where diversity drives innovation and growth”, she further added. 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 33% women joining Hindustan Zinc through campus recruitment drives in FY25, making Hindustan Zinc the top choice for women in metals. Hindustan Zinc has ensured adherence with the Directorate General of Mines Safety (DGMS) guidelines, enabling women to work within mine premises, including underground operations. Women working in Hindustan Zinc are supported with robust protocols and employee-focused policies, ensuring that women are empowered at every stage of their careers. Progressive workplace policies, such as spouse hiring policy, physical & mental health leaves, year-long sabbaticals for childcare, flexible-working hours, monthly no-questions-asked leaves for women further enhance opportunities, ensuring that gender is never a barrier to career advancement. What is truly unique is the company’s ability to provide rich job content to its employees across high-growth businesses. Employees enjoy the best of both worlds - the stability of a global conglomerate with the agility of a start-up. Sharing her thoughts on this milestone, Yashika Ramnani, Graduate Trainee – Mill Operations, Rampura Agucha, said, “I’m proud to be one of the first women to be deployed in night shift. Hindustan Zinc’s inclusive culture, strong mentorship, and opportunities have given me the confidence to push boundaries and excel in ways I never imagined.” Adding to this, Subhasmita Parida - Associate Manager – Mill Operations, Rampura Agucha, said, “The wave of opportunities provided at Hindustan Zinc have helped me grow and expand my knowledge base. Being one of the first women to be a part of this team will help me gain valuable skills making me more independent and confident. This initiative will support my professional and personal growth”. Hindustan Zinc, a Vedanta Group company, is the world’s largest integrated zinc producer and the third-largest silver producer. The company holds a market share of about 75% of the primary zinc market in India. Hindustan Zinc has been recognized as the world’s most sustainable company in the metals and mining category for the second consecutive year by the S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment 2024, reflecting its operational excellence, innovation, and leading ESG practices. Hindustan Zinc is also a certified 2.41 times Water-Positive company. As a world leader in the metals and mining industry, Hindustan Zinc is pivotal in providing critical metals essential for the global energy transition for a sustainable future.

Next Story
Infrastructure Transport

Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train Set to Launch by 2028

India’s first bullet train is set to revolutionize high-speed travel along the western corridor, with the Mumbai-Ahmedabad high-speed rail project aiming for a 2028 launch. This announcement marks a major milestone in India’s infrastructure goals, as it promises to reduce travel time between the two economic hubs from eight hours to just three.Spanning a planned 508-kilometre stretch, the corridor stands as a flagship example of Indo-Japanese collaboration in technology and engineering. Once operational, the train is expected to transform intercity mobility and place India among the select..

Next Story
Infrastructure Transport

Mumbai-Gandhinagar Train Service Enhances Passenger Capacity

The Mumbai Central–Gandhinagar Capital Vande Bharat Express has increased its passenger capacity by adding four additional AC chair car coaches to meet the growing commuter demand on one of India’s busiest business corridors. This upgrade, effective from 11 May, raised the train’s seating capacity from 1,128 to 1,440 passengers, allowing it to serve 936 more passengers daily in both directions. The increase was described as a practical measure to accommodate the surging demand on the busy Mumbai–Ahmedabad–Gandhinagar route, which regularly operates at over 150 percent seat occupancy...

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

Delhi Plans 12 Sewage Plants to Clean Najafgarh Drain Efficiently

Delhi’s ambitious plan to improve the water quality of the Yamuna River has gained significant momentum as the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) has begun work on 12 new sewage treatment plants (STPs) aimed at reducing the volume of untreated sewage being discharged from the Najafgarh Drain.This initiative forms part of the ongoing efforts to clean the Yamuna and restore the river’s health, which has long been a critical environmental issue for the national capital. Given the alarming pollution levels in the Yamuna, experts and officials consider this project a vital step toward addressing the persist..

Advertisement

Advertisement

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get daily newsletters around different themes from Construction world.

STAY CONNECTED

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Talk to us?