Hindustan Zinc Limited emerges as water positive company

Hindustan Zinc Limited (HZL), part of the Vedanta group, has emerged as a water positive company. HZL, the largest integrated domestic zinc producer said it has become 2.41 times water positive with respect to the water consumed, making it one of the top water conserving companies globally, in a statement issued on Friday, on the occasion of World Environment Day. HZL is already ranked 1st in sustainability in Asia Pacific by the Dow Jones Sustainability Index.

Speaking on the occasion, Sunil Duggal, Group CEO, Vedanta said: “We have a long-term approach to water management that aims to improve our performance, recognize the significance of water and contribute to sustainable water management. We will continue our journey by continuously improving this score.” While there is abundance of water, only 4% is suitable for human consumption and that makes conservation of water so crucial.

Focusing on sustainability pillars of zero harm, zero waste, zero discharge, Vedanta has generated 1,653 units of renewable energy, while solar power projects are being commissioned to produce 22 MW of power, the statement added. Around 92% of the high-volume, low effect wastes such as fly ash, slag and jarosite are being recycled.

Electrosteels Steel (ESL), the group's recent acquisition is also managing sustainability and has improved the company's environmental performance. From reutilising only 10% of the generated fly-ash, ESL has been able to utilize 100% of the generated volumes by establishing sales agreement for fly-ash with cement companies, where the by-product is used in several blended-cement applications. In FY20, ESL transferred around 108,000 MT of fly-ash to cement companies. ESL has also increased reutilization levels of blast furnace slag from 30% to 100% of the generated waste.

At Sesa Iron Ore Business, the reclamation of the Sanquelim mine has led to complete restoration of mining pits into pisciculture with numerous species of flora & fauna along with development of aquatic ecosystem.