Hindustan Zinc increased its water recycling rate to 49% in FY26 while reducing freshwater withdrawal across operations.
Hindustan Zinc recycled nearly 23 billion litres of water during FY26, increasing its annual water recycling rate to 49 per cent while simultaneously reducing overall water withdrawal across its mining and smelting operations. The company also maintained its 3.32-times water-positive status, reflecting continued efforts to improve water-use efficiency and reduce dependence on freshwater resources.
The development comes as industrial sectors face growing pressure to strengthen water stewardship and improve resource efficiency, particularly in water-stressed regions. Hindustan Zinc said its progress has been driven by investments in advanced water recovery technologies, increased reuse of treated water and the integration of circular water management practices across operations.
Focus on circular water management
The company has deployed a range of water treatment and recovery technologies, including Zero Liquid Discharge systems, effluent treatment plants, reverse osmosis units, multi-effect evaporators and mechanical vapour recompression systems. These technologies are designed to maximise water recovery and minimise freshwater consumption across operational sites.
Hindustan Zinc has also expanded the use of filtered tailings technology, enabling the recovery of more than 80 per cent of water from tailings while reducing freshwater withdrawals. During FY26, the company commissioned a second filtered tailings plant at Rajpura Dariba in Rajasthan to further improve water recycling and operational efficiency.
Another key component of the company’s water strategy is its 60 MLD sewage treatment plant in Udaipur, developed through a public-private partnership with the Government of Rajasthan. The facility converts municipal wastewater into industrial-grade water, helping meet operational requirements while supporting urban wastewater management.
Community initiatives expand water security
Beyond its industrial operations, Hindustan Zinc has continued to invest in community water conservation programmes. Over the past five years, the company has implemented more than 280 water conservation interventions across water-stressed regions. These include rainwater harvesting systems, pond rejuvenation projects, check dams and groundwater recharge initiatives.
According to the company, these initiatives have created a community water storage potential of 62.3 million cubic metres, helping strengthen long-term water resilience and improve water availability in surrounding areas.
The latest results highlight the growing role of circular water management in the mining sector as companies seek to balance production growth with environmental responsibility and resource conservation.
Source: https://tinyurl.com/ms674r26
