Vedanta HZL CSR Udaipur

The award was presented to Hindustan Zinc for ‘Outstanding Accomplishmentin Corporate Excellence and Dariba smelter recognized for Excellencein Environment Management ‘
The shortlisted companies are evaluated using around 250 indicators that cover 15 distinct elements of sustainability.
Udaipur : The nation’s largest producer of zinc, lead, and silver, Hindustan Zinc was presented with the prestigious CII-ITC Sustainability Award on Monday. The company received the award for ‘Outstanding Accomplishment in Corporate Excellenceand Dariba smelter received the award for excellence in Environment management’. The company was presented the award in a virtual event in the presence of the Chief Guest, Shri Rao Inderjit Singh, MP, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge); Minister of Statistics and Programme Implementation

The CII-ITC Sustainability Awards aim to recognise and reward excellence in companies that are working towards making their operations more sustainable and inclusive. The awards, which are based on the EFQM Excellence Framework, are for companies that seamlessly aim to make sustainability their business. The evaluation is based on around 250 indicators that encompass 15 different elements of sustainability. The examination has been expanded to encompass elements such as Business Ethics, Employee Development, Human Rights, and Biodiversity. This is one of the country’s most coveted awards in the field of corporate sustainable development.
Speaking on the recognition, Mr Arun Misra, CEO of Hindustan Zinc, said, “It is a great honour for Hindustan Zinc to get these accolades. To establish a sustainable future in a zero-harm environment, we are committed to adopt the internationally acclaimed approach of the triple bottom line in integrating People, Planet, and Prosperity. We’ve set ‘Sustainability Goals’ for FY2025 to reinforce our natural capital and promote sustainable performance. We are striving to reduce GHG emissions, become 5 times water positive, enhance inclusivity & diversity, and enable inclusive growth of the communities in which we operate with these clearly stated objectives.”
This award is a recognition of Hindustan Zinc’s continued efforts towards integrating sustainability as business agenda and for its outstanding achievements and commitment to shaping a future that is more sustainable and inclusive.For the third year in a row, Hindustan Zinc has been ranked first in the Asia-Pacific region in the metal and mining sector, and fifth globally in the metal and mining sector, according to the Dow Jones Sustainability Index.
The company’s unwavering focus on the 3S – Safety, Sustainability, and Smart Mining – enabled it to achieve unparalleled results in terms of volume and profitability. The companyhas embarked on an ambitious sustainability journey, led by its Sustainability Goals 2025, driven by its vision of ‘ZERO HARM, ZERO DISCHARGE, ZERO WASTE.’ These Sustainability Goals were developed by the company as an action agenda for accomplishing its overarching long-term goal of creating positive impacts across the value chain.

Mr. Arun Misra is the first Indian and Asian to serve as acting Chairman of the IZA The International Zinc Association (IZA) is a non-profit association that represents the global zinc industry
Udaipur : Arun Misra, the CEO of Hindustan Zinc Limited, has been elected as the new acting Chairman of the International Zinc Association (IZA). Mr. Misra is the first Indian and Asian to hold a position of acting Chairman of the IZA. Hindustan Zinc is India’s largest and the world’s second largest zinc-lead miner. Hindustan Zinc is an industry leader with over five decades of mining and smelting expertise. The company is a fully integrated player that emphasizes providing holistic value to its stakeholders. Because of its keen strategic approach of constant evolution in an ever-changing business environment, the company has a powerful advantage that drives its growth and expansion.

In response to his appointment as IZA acting Chairman, Mr. Arun Misra, stated, “It is a privilege for me to take on the role of IZA Chair and continue the tradition of excellence of those who came before me. The IZA has an exceptional team of professionals and I look forward to working together to grow global demand for zinc and promoting its essentiality to human health, crop nutrition, sustainable development, and modern life”.
The International Zinc Association (IZA) is a non-profit organisation that represents the global zinc industry. Its mission is to advance zinc products and markets via research, development, technology transfer, and communication of the unique attributes that make zinc sustainable and essential component for life. IZA members produce 60% of global zinc and 80% in the Western Hemisphere. IZA has offices across China, Europe, Latin America, North America, India, and Southern Africa, with its headquarters in Durham, North Carolina (USA).
Speaking on the appointment, Dr. Rahul Sharma, Director-India, International Zinc Association said, ‘’We at IZA-India are extremely happy with Mr. Misra being appointed as the Chairman. Being the Industry leader, Mr. Misra has a deep understanding of the industry and will accelerate IZA’s efforts towards increasing consumption of Zinc globally and making India a self-reliant market for Commodities, specifically Zinc. He, along with other members will strive towards addressing the concerns of the Industry and underline the significance of Zinc in crop nutrition, infrastructure, and human health.”
Hindustan Zinc, a Vedanta group company governs 78% market share in India. The companydistinguishes itself as a company committed to business excellence, as well as social and environmental responsibility, and value creation for all stakeholders. The headquarters of the company are in Udaipur, Rajasthan, a mineral-rich region. The company is committed to the circular economy model and aims to implement low-carbon and low-emission technologies, grow renewable energy capacity, and minimise GHG emissions. It also intends to expand and strengthen its local sourcing network in order to benefit the local economy and community.

The company conducted a number of competitions, including elocution, dancing, and poster design, A HB check-up was also arranged for the girls, and anaemic girls were provided appropriate medicine and counselling.
Udaipur : Every year on January 24, India celebrates National Girl Child Day to raise awareness of the inequalities that girls suffer and to emphasise the importance of a girl child’s education, health, and nutrition.Hindustan Zinc Limited, India’s largest zinc, lead, and silver producer, is committed to empowering and educating girls. This year, the company conducted a variety of initiatives at government schools in Zawar and Agucha in collaboration with Deepak Foundation and Hindustan Zinc’s SwasthyaSeva project Mobile Health Units in Udaipur and Bhilwara districts. A total of 150 girls attended the event, with 60 participating in various activities.

Several educational activities, as well as competitions such as elocution, dance, and poster making, were organised in the Zawar and Agucha government schools. The young girls were assigned to create posters for National Girl Child Day and discuss their artwork in terms of what they learned and what message they wanted to express on this day. All attendees were given stationary kits to commend them for their efforts and to support education among girls. Apart from these activities, the company held an HB check-up for adolescent girls to improve their focus on their health and nutrition. The necessary medicine and counselling were given to the anaemic girls.
Hindustan Zinc has always believed in the potential that every girl child possesses, and that when girls are educated, societies are strengthened. The company operates initiatives such as Sakhi, Khushi, NandGhar, and Siksha Sambal, which educate girls and women from all walks of life about their rights and provide educational, skill-development, as well as quality health-care services. Hundreds of girl children and women have benefited from these initiatives, which have helped them complete their education, build leadership abilities, and find skill-based jobs and career opportunities.

In its operational units in Debari, Dariba, Chittorgarh, Ajmer, Bhilwara, and Pantnagar, the company hosted a variety of events and activities for the youth, The company understands the importance of growing unemployment amongst the youth and has been striving to solve the problem through its Skilling Project
Udaipur : Hindustan Zinc, India’s largest producer of Zinc, Lead, and Silver, celebrated “National Youth Day” with great zeal and enthusiasm, under their skilling project, to honour the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda, one of India’s greatest leaders and believers in the potential of youth.Various activities such as quiz competition, skit, poster making contest, portrait making contest, career file making contest, alumni meet, motivational session with poet Mrs. Chanda Prashar, and others were held both online and offline while adhering to all COVID guidelines. The events were attended by youths living in the vicinity of the company’s operational locations in Debari, Dariba, Chittorgarh, Ajmer, Bhilwara and Pantnagar.The celebration welcomed over 280 trainees and provided them with crucial and motivating career guidance.

Individuals participated in many innovative and creative competitions during the fun and entertaining sessions for the youth. A virtual alumni meet was held where all of the participants recounted their training experiences and insights learned, as well as their employment experiences in various organisations and how the skills they learned at the Hindustan Zinc Skill Development Centre have helped them improve their performance. Mr. Suresh Kumar, Project Coordinator of the Dual VET Project, gave a virtual guest lecture to the trainees on the theme of Freedom from Fear and encouraged them to make small but meaningful efforts toward their goals.
A small group of trainees from the Skill Development Center-Dariba presented a tableau on Swami Vivekananda’s teachings, as well as distributed masks and pens in the community, following the COVID-19 guidelines. A career file-making competition was also held for the trainees in order to spark their ideas and creativity. The competition’s concept was to exhibit their aims and plans in the file with creativity. The young learners demonstrated their artistic abilities through a range of posters, newspaper cuttings, and other materials in the file. A virtual youth meeting was also held to allow youth to connect and discuss their role in the development of the village and nation.
Unemployment is one of the primary difficulties confronting young people living in rural regions. Individuals lack opportunities for growth and development, and as a result, they miss out on the chance to shape their future. Hindustan Zinc recognizes the magnitude of the problem and has been working to address it through its core CSR initiatives, such as the Skilling Project.The project supports both male and female candidates in becoming self-reliant and independent by acquiring and developing industry-relevant skills and securing employment in their respective sectors. The program’s target age range is 18-35 years old and includes school dropouts, unemployed youth, and those who are already employed but want to improve their skills and expertise.

The company’s skilling center offers enrolled trainees with a highly enriched experience in terms of technical understanding of their respective sectors, as well as English, Computers, and Lifeskills training. Trainees participate in activities such as corporate visits, on-the-job training, guest lectures, and projects during their training. Aside from that, the company is committed to promoting gender equality through these centres, by assuring the enrollment of female applicants in the various skills provided at the skilling center.
The various trades and skills offered as part of Hindustan Zinc’s skilling effort include Entrepreneurship Development Programme, General Duty Assistant, Microfinance Executive, Assistant Electrician, Unarmed Security Guard, Retail Sales Executive, Data Entry Operator, Customer Relationship Management, Food and Beverages Services, Front Office Associate, BFSI-Business Development Executive, Auto Sales Consultant, Auto Service Technician (Commercial and Passenger vehicles) and Automotive Service (Two-Wheeler and Three-Wheeler). Based on market demand, the firm intends to expand the project to include numerous different trades, and the target for youth development will be extended to reach about 10,000 individuals over the next five years.In addition, the company aims to prioritize innovation and digitization.
The company partnered with Ambuja Cement Foundation and Tata Strive, which are at theforefront of skill development in rural areas. The organizations undertook a need assessment study to determine the types of career opportunities available for local youth along with their areas of interest. Based on this analysis, the Hindustan Zinc Skill and Entrepreneurship Development Institute was established in Dariba and Agucha in 2019-20 with the goal of providing short-term intensive training. Currently, Ambuja Cement Foundation has started four additional centres in Kayad and Debari, while Tata Strive is in charge of implementing the initiative in Chanderiya and Pantnagar.Since its establishment, around 2500 trainees have been trained in various crafts, with a 35% female participation rate, and more than 1900 of them have been placed in various organizations in their relevant fields or have been self-entrepreneurs.

Classes were conductedduring winter break by volunteers from renowned colleges of DU during camps under Shiksha Sambal Program, The students attended were provided with model papers/decks to practice for board exams
Hindustan Zinc believes in providing quality education and empowering the rural students. The companyorganized a weeklong Winter Campswhere over 1700 students participated for board exam preparations as part of the Shiksha Sambal program. The camps covered which covered all the schools in their areas of operations – Ajmer, Bhilwara, Chittorgarh, Rajsamand and Udaipur. These classes were taught by 44 volunteers from renowned colleges of Delhi University along with 56 project teachers, with a team of 10 resource persons regularly monitoring the lessons.

Over the course of a week, students studied Science, Maths and English for the board examination. The work was carried out in small groups, in which they learned from each other and received the full support of their teachers. All 1700 students were also provided with model papers/decks of Science, Math, and English.
Over the last few years, the company has been continuously contributing towards improving the standard of education in the state of Rajasthan. And, to make sure that the studies and education of the students is not hampered even in trying time, Hindustan Zinc in association with Vidya Bhawan society to teach subjects like Science, English and Mathematics (SEM) efficiently and build strong conceptual foundation among the students using innovative and engaging techniques with activities such as group learning,worksheets etc.
At the end of the program, Devendra Kumar Yadav, Sarpanch of TD Gram Panchayat in Zawar said, “Students are being given additional opportunities through the education program.” Bhagwan Lal Sukhwal, Acting Principal of Mehnduria School in Dariba Location added, “In difficult times like Corona, the opportunity of students to read and write was hindered, but the Shiksha Sambal program kept the students engaged in reading and writing. This program is important for all students and it should be carried forward.”
Maya Meghwal, a student of Mehnduria School, while sharing her classroom experience said, “We were taught in small groups in Science, Mathematics and English subjects, due to which we all asked our questions and it was explained well by the teachers. It was great to be together.” The students from the Girls School also talked about running such classes for more days. In addition, addressing the closing ceremony at the Agucha location, CSR team memberVaibhavi emphasised its importance and said, “These classes were organized to clear the doubts of the subject so that you can understand the paper thoroughly and solve it in the board exam.”
Since 2012, Hindustan Zinc has successfully conducted the Shiksha Sambal program to help students understand better and improve their results in board exams and has benefited approximately 7000 students each year.
The closing ceremony of the program was attended by the principal, parents, local sarpanches, members of the SMC, and members of the CSR team as well as personnel from Vidya Bhavan Education Reference Centre, which also increased the enthusiasm of the students.