Hindustan Zinc Limited (HZL) said it has deployed multiple advanced technologies, including remote-controlled mining systems and AI-driven automation, to improve operational efficiency and safety across its facilities.
The company stated it has become the first Indian metals firm to implement tele-remote operations in underground mining. “This system allows surface operators to control underground loaders during shift changes,” HZL said in a statement.
The company claims this innovation has increased shaft hoisting capacity at its Rampura Agucha mine from 6,500 to 8,000 tonnes per day.
According to HZL, it has also implemented automated drilling technology that enables continuous operations during shift transitions. The company said this technology has added approximately 22,000 tonnes of annual metal output over the past three years at its Rajasthan mines.
HZL said it partnered with startup Infinite Uptime to install an AI-based predictive maintenance system. “The network of over 1,000 sensors has helped reduce unplanned downtime by about 500 hours across our operations,” the company stated.
The firm also reported deploying an AI tool to optimise raw material consumption. “The system uses machine learning models trained on historical data to maintain product quality while improving efficiency,” HZL said.
“Technology is core to our value chain,” said Hindustan Zinc CEO Arun Misra. “We are increasingly becoming a technology company, as tech is now integral to our metal production. By rapidly adopting AI/ML, robotics, automation we are propelling the industry and nation forward.”
The company said it has implemented additional technological solutions, including an AI-powered surveillance system that reportedly reduced manual monitoring by 50%, robotic automation in high-temperature smelting processes, and plans to introduce LiDAR-equipped drones for underground mine mapping.
HZL stated it is currently collaborating with more than 40 startups through Vedanta’s accelerator program on technology projects involving AI, IoT and drone applications. The company also mentioned its launch of EcoZen, what it claims is Asia’s first low-carbon zinc brand produced using renewable energy.
The firm holds a dominant position in India’s zinc market, claiming a 77% share of primary zinc production.
