Vedanta Group has reaffirmed its commitment to building a more inclusive and future-ready workforce on International Day for Women in Mining. Women now account for 23 per cent of Vedanta’s workforce, significantly higher than the mining industry average of 6 per cent.

The company said 13 per cent of women employees are deployed across mines, plants, smelters, refineries and control centres, which are traditionally among the most challenging and underrepresented areas of the sector. Vedanta has set a target of achieving 35 per cent women representation across its workforce.

The progress has been supported by technology-led transformation across Vedanta’s mining and metals operations. Digitalisation, automation, mechanisation, advanced analytics and real-time monitoring systems have made operations more standardised, efficient and safer for employees.

Vedanta said women accounted for 50 per cent of its overall campus hires in FY26 and 30 per cent of STEM recruits. These hiring outcomes are helping expand women’s participation in technical, engineering, operational and leadership roles across the natural resources sector.

Priya Agarwal Hebbar, Non-Executive Director, Vedanta Limited and Chairperson, Hindustan Zinc Limited, said technology and innovation do not distinguish by gender, and opportunities in evolving industries should not either. She said diverse teams bring fresh perspectives, accelerate innovation and strengthen organisational resilience.

Across Vedanta Aluminium, women geologists are contributing to exploration, geological modelling, mine planning and coal quality management. At Jharsuguda, an all-women potline team manages complex aluminium production operations at one of the world’s largest aluminium smelters.

At Hindustan Zinc, women engineers are contributing to underground mining operations. The company was the first Indian mining company to deploy women engineers underground after the Government of India opened underground mining roles for women in 2019. India’s first all-women underground mine rescue teams are also setting new benchmarks in safety and emergency preparedness.

Women are also working in night shifts across Hindustan Zinc, Vedanta Aluminium and Vedanta Oil & Gas, supported by strengthened safety systems and secure transport facilities. At Vedanta Oil & Gas, women have been managing night shift operations at the Mangala Processing Terminal since 2019.

Vedanta said it also supports long-term retention through returnship programmes after maternity, flexible work arrangements, inclusive shift structures, spouse hiring policies in remote locations, leadership acceleration tracks and integrated township facilities offering housing, healthcare, education, childcare and community infrastructure.

The company said women are playing an increasing role in managing large-scale operations, driving digital and automation initiatives, advancing sustainability goals and supporting the next phase of growth across its businesses.