Hindustan Zinc Signs MoU to Explore Green Hydrogen for Underground Mining Operations
The collaboration aims to evaluate innovative technologies that can support the transition to low-carbon and future-ready mining. Through the partnership, Hindustan Zinc plans to pioneer the use of hydrogen fuel in underground mining applications, potentially becoming the first mining company to deploy the technology in such environments.
The initiative forms part of the company’s broader strategy to build technology-driven, sustainable mining operations and achieve its Net Zero emissions target by 2050 or earlier.
As mining remains one of the most challenging sectors to decarbonise, hydrogen-based solutions are emerging as a promising alternative for reducing emissions in high-capacity, energy-intensive and hard-to-electrify operations. Hindustan Zinc will assess the feasibility of integrating these technologies to improve operational efficiency while advancing its long-term decarbonisation roadmap.
Arun Misra, CEO, Hindustan Zinc Limited, said, “At Hindustan Zinc, we are focused on pioneering solutions that can redefine the future of sustainable mining. Hydrogen has the potential to support cleaner mobility, reduce emissions from heavy-duty equipment and create new pathways for decarbonising hard-to-abate industrial operations. This collaboration is a forward-looking step in evaluating hydrogen-based technologies, including their potential application in underground mining, as we continue to build a future-ready metals business aligned with global sustainability benchmarks.”
The partnership will focus on conducting comprehensive feasibility assessments for hydrogen-based technologies, including green hydrogen generation, storage, dispensing infrastructure, and hydrogen-powered equipment. It will also evaluate the potential use of Hydrogen Internal Combustion Engine (H2-ICE) and fuel cell technologies across mining and industrial applications. A key area of exploration will be the use of hydrogen fuel solutions in underground mining environments, positioning Hindustan Zinc among the early movers in India’s mining sector to assess such applications.
The initiative will follow a phased approach, beginning with technical, operational, safety, environmental and financial feasibility studies. Based on the outcomes, the collaboration may be scaled further to enable broader deployment across mining equipment, heavy earth-moving machinery, underground and surface vehicles, generators and other operational assets. The partnership is expected to play a pivotal role in building internal capabilities for next-generation fuels and accelerating the adoption of sustainable energy solutions within the metals and mining sector.
The initiative is aligned with Hindustan Zinc’s broader Environment, Social & Governance (ESG) roadmap, which prioritises decarbonisation, energy transition, and responsible natural resource management. Aligned with its Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) validated goals and membership of the International Council on Mining and Metals (ICMM), Hindustan Zinc continues to advance its sustainability journey with a strong focus on decarbonisation and energy transition. The company has increased renewable energy to nearly 18% of its power mix while accelerating progress through cleaner technologies and operational efficiencies.
Hindustan Zinc, a Vedanta group company, has been recognised as the world’s most sustainable metals and mining company for the third consecutive year in the S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment 2025. Through this strategic collaboration, the company continues to reimagine industrial operations by integrating cutting-edge clean energy solutions, enabling a transition towards a low-carbon and future-ready metals industry.
Published on:
23 June 2026
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