Udaipur, June 25: Hindustan Zinc Limited, the world’s largest integrated zinc producer and a leading silver producer, has launched India’s first 250 metric ton capacity electric crane at its zinc smelter in Debari, Rajasthan. This hybrid machine can operate on both diesel and electricity, marking a significant step towards the company’s low carbon operations.
This initiative is part of the company’s green roadmap, promoting clean technology in its operations. Over the past three years, Hindustan Zinc has adopted several green mobility solutions, including India’s first underground battery electric vehicles and an electric and LNG logistics fleet. In collaboration with Greenline Mobility, the company has developed Rajasthan’s largest EV bulk carrier fleet, consisting of 40 electric bulkers. Additionally, under a project for employees, two electric buses have been introduced as part of a fleet of 41 green buses. Previously, the company also launched four electric loaders at the Rampura Agucha mine.
Commenting on this achievement, Hindustan Zinc CEO Arun Mishra stated, “Sustainability is very important to us. Launching India’s first 250 metric ton electric crane is a significant step in this direction. We are committed to making the industry greener and stronger by adopting clean technology.”
The crane is expected to help reduce emissions on-site, estimated to cut approximately 250.8 tons of carbon emissions annually, as it replaces a diesel crane that previously consumed around 93,600 liters of diesel each year. Deepak Garg, Managing Director of Saini India, remarked, “Hindustan Zinc has always shown leadership in sustainable mining. We are proud to be a part of this project. This crane will help enhance energy efficiency and reduce emissions.”
In 2022-23, Hindustan Zinc became the first company in India to introduce underground battery-operated electric vehicles at the Sindesar Khurd mine. Currently, the company operates over 250 A&G trucks that transport materials from the mine to the smelter. The company aims to achieve net zero emissions by 2050 or earlier, increasing its use of renewable energy, which has now reached approximately 18 percent. It targets a 50 percent reduction in Scope 1 and 2 emissions and a 25 percent reduction in Scope 3 emissions compared to 2020 levels.
Hindustan Zinc has also launched Asia’s first low-carbon zinc Ecozen brand. The company has been recognized for the third consecutive time as the world’s most sustainable metal and mining company in the S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment 2025.