Vedanta, Gujarat sign pact to set up zinc smelter

VEDANTA Group firm Hindustan Zinc Ltd (HZL) on Wednesday said it has signed a pact with Gujarat government to set up a greenfield zinc smelter in the state.

Spread over 415 acres, the facility will entail an investment of $682 million$1.36bn in phases, creating more than 5,000 direct and indirect jobs and will be operational by 2022, HZL said in a statement.

‘HZL...signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Government of Gujarat to set up 300 KTPA (kilo tonnes per annum) greenfield zinc smelter at Doswada, Gujarat Industrial Development Corporation (GIDC),’ the statement said.

The new facility - the first for Hindustan Zinc in Gujarat - will be set up with zero discharge technology and will be among the lowest cost smelters in the world.

Located in proximity to port and key markets of consumption, the new facility will produce zinc and other minor metals.

‘We will extend all support to ensure that the plant is commissioned in stipulated time. The plant will substantially increase employment and thereby boost the economy in the region,’ Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani said.

The new facility will be a model plant - incorporating the latest technology, automation and highest standards of environment and health safety compliance.

‘Given the reputation of Gujarat as an industrial hub of the country, it is our pleasure to build our dream project in zinc here. With this facility, we will together take India to the map of most efficient producers of zinc in the world,’ Anil Agarwal, Non-Executive Chairman and Founder, Vedanta Group said.

‘We have set out on a path towards Prime Minister Modi’s vision of an Aatmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India).’

The new facility will be in close proximity to the downstream user industries. Besides, it will aid in development of industrial clusters as well as ancillary industries in the future.