Hindustan Zinc Launches ‘Tejaswini’ All-Women Shift at Chanderiya Smelting Complex

Udaipur: In a significant step for India’s metals and mining industry, Hindustan Zinc Limited, one of the world’s largest integrated zinc producers and among the top five silver producers globally, has launched the ‘Tejaswini’ all-women operational shift at the Chanderiya Smelting Complex. The initiative enables women-led teams to work across all shifts at one of the world’s largest and most technologically advanced zinc smelting facilities.

The initiative marks an important milestone in the company’s commitment to building an inclusive workforce and providing women with leadership opportunities in core operational roles within the heavy industry sector.

Working at the Chanderiya Smelting Complex places women engineers and operators at the heart of large-scale metallurgical operations that play a crucial role in zinc production—an essential metal used in infrastructure, manufacturing, and energy transition applications. Through the Tejaswini initiative, Hindustan Zinc aims to empower women to lead critical processes in one of the most advanced smelting ecosystems in the global metals industry.

At a time when women’s participation in mining and metals has historically been limited, the company is redefining industry norms by encouraging women to take on key operational responsibilities. Women now constitute 26.3% of Hindustan Zinc’s workforce, the highest proportion in the sector, setting new benchmarks for gender diversity in a traditionally male-dominated industry.

A dedicated team of 30 women professionals will manage core process operations, maintenance, and safety activities within the units, marking a significant step toward increasing women’s participation in core manufacturing roles. The initiative has enabled fully women-led operational shifts in Leaching and Purification (L&P) Units 1 and 2 at the Chanderiya Smelting Complex. These units form an essential part of the company’s hydrometallurgy operations, directly influencing zinc production throughput and product quality.

The initiative is being led by Tanya Singh, Plant Manager of Hydro L&P-1, who will guide the team in maintaining Hindustan Zinc’s strong safety-first culture while ensuring operational excellence.

Over the past few years, Hindustan Zinc has expanded opportunities for women across mining and metals operations—from underground mining and smelting to digital control rooms and leadership roles. These efforts align with the vision of the Vedanta Group to achieve 35% women participation in its workforce, with Hindustan Zinc playing a key role in advancing this vision within the sector.

Commenting on the initiative, Arun Misra, CEO and Whole-Time Director of Hindustan Zinc, said:
“Our belief is that the future of mining will be driven by diverse talent, advanced technology, and an inclusive culture. The launch of Tejaswini reflects our commitment to providing meaningful opportunities for women in core operational roles that power industrial performance. By enabling women to lead critical processes in our smelting operations, we are strengthening our talent pipeline and demonstrating that leadership and capability extend far beyond traditional industry boundaries.”

As India accelerates its goals in infrastructure development, clean energy, and industrial growth, Hindustan Zinc continues to demonstrate how inclusive workplaces can drive operational excellence and innovation. Through initiatives like Tejaswini and continued investment in people-centric policies, the company is setting new benchmarks for the metals and mining industry.

Hindustan Zinc has also introduced several pioneering initiatives, including India’s first underground all-women mine rescue team, enabling women engineers to lead night shifts, tele-remote mining operations, and smelting control rooms. The company has further strengthened workplace infrastructure with safety measures such as V-Safe app integration, CCTV surveillance, biometric access systems, women security personnel, and night transportation facilities, ensuring that employees can work with confidence, safety, and leadership while building a diverse and future-ready workforce.