We’re not new to coexisting with the natural world. Water is essential to maintaining biodiversity, humanity, and economic development at a time when protecting what is valuable to human survival is becoming increasingly difficult. The value of water is even more crucial when operating in a place with limited water resources like Rajasthan.
Hindustan Zinc is a responsible company that recognizes the value of water. As such, they are committed to decreasing their water waste and actively rebuilding local water supplies in the areas where they operate. Their efforts have benefited both society and the environment as a whole.
The company has made a great effort to conserve water, focusing on projects that minimise, reuse, and recycle water. In the previous five years, the company has cut its freshwater consumption by about 30%. The company is now 2.41 times water positive and is on course to be 5 times water positive by 2025 as a result of this.
Using integrated water management systems, Hindustan Zinc upholds the zero-discharge principle. One such technology is the RO-ZLD plants located throughout smelters, which maximise water recycling while lowering reliance on freshwater. This represents a dedication to the goal of Changing the World. The RO-ZLD facility makes use of the wastewater, enhancing the commitment to zero discharge.
In addition, the business concentrates on taking steps to conserve, reuse, and recycle water and lessening its water footprint. One such project is the construction of the 60MLD (million litres per day) Sewage Treatment Plant in Udaipur, where the business processes the city’s wastewater. In an effort to maintain the City of Lakes’ cleanliness, Hindustan Zinc established the STP under the Public-Private-Partnership model, which has significantly decreased the pollution load of the city’s lakes and is one of the key initiatives towards the “Swachh Bharat Mission.” The company uses the treated water in its operations, which has drastically reduced the amount of freshwater it consumes.
Additionally, Hindustan Zinc collaborates with regional groups to enhance water management. A recent effort to collect rainwater close to the Rampura Agucha mine has produced an estimated 8.7 million cubic metres of annual recharge potential. This is anticipated to increase the amount of groundwater in the region, resulting in water availability for a variety of uses as well as for the villagers’ secure life. According to estimates, the project will help 70,000–75,000 residents of this area. The project will improve crop patterns and yields as a result.
The only options to increase the availability of water are through conservation, efficient treatment, and optimal use. In order to achieve its goal of becoming 5 times water positive by 2025, Hindustan Zinc has implemented programmes like dry tailing dams, water harvesting structures, and water ATMS for communities. These initiatives aim to increase the social benefits of Hindustan Zinc’s operations, support efforts to utilise water wisely, and work with local people to jointly manage water resources.
