Hindustan Zinc Limited (HZL), a Vedanta Group company and one of the world’s largest integrated zinc producers, has awarded contracts to CIMIC Group companies Sedgman and Leighton Asia for developing India’s first zinc tailings recycling facility at its flagship Rampura Agucha Mines (RAM) in Rajasthan.
Tailings are finely ground remnants left after mineral extraction. While traditionally classified as waste, tailings often contain residual quantities of valuable metals that were not recoverable through earlier processing technologies.
The one-of-its-kind facility at Rampura Agucha will deploy advanced processing techniques to recover metals such as zinc and silver from previously processed tailings, transforming legacy waste into valuable resources and reinforcing a circular approach to mining, according to a company statement.
Strategic milestone
The company said that the project is a strategic national milestone, aligned with India’s focus on resource efficiency, circular economy practices, and strengthening domestic critical minerals supply. The initiative forms a key pillar of Hindustan Zinc’s broader strategy to build a future-ready, multi-metal portfolio whilestrengthening India’s critical minerals ecosystem.
The facility will unlock value from legacy tailings, reduce environmental footprint, improve land utilisation, and enhance long-term resource security for the country.
Arun Misra, CEO – Hindustan Zinc Limited, said, “By establishing India’s first zinc tailings recycling facility at a global scale, Hindustan Zinc is creating a blueprint for how legacy resources can be re-engineered into future supply, strengthening the nation’s critical minerals security. Our collaboration with Sedgman’s global minerals processing expertise and Leighton Asia’s on-ground infrastructure execution brings together the best of technology and delivery to set new benchmarks for responsible mining.”
HZL plans to double its production capacity. Earlier in August, the Board of Hindustan Zinc approved an investment of up to ₹3,823 crore to develop a 10 million tonnes per annum (mtpa) zinc tailings recycling facility at Rampura Agucha. This will be completed within 28 months from the day work for the plant begins. CIMIC Group of companies have been engaged for engineering, procurement and construction activities.
New opportunities
Sedgman, a global leader in minerals processing, will deliver detailed engineering and offshore equipment procurement, while Leighton Asia, a long-standing infrastructure delivery partner with a strong presence in India, will manage onshore procurement and construction.
Juan Santamaría, ACS Group and HOCHTIEF Chief Executive Officer and CIMIC Group Executive Chairman, said, “Modern tailings reprocessing unlocks new opportunities to recover essential minerals that power clean energy technologies and digital infrastructure.”
Grant Fraser, Managing Director, Sedgman, said, “Our end-to-end technical and delivery expertise enables more sustainable minerals extraction while supporting the clean energy transition.”
Udaipur-based Hindustan Zinc operates zinc, lead and silver underground mines, smelters in Rajasthan and Uttarakhand. Earlier this year, HZL board approved the first phase of investments aimed at doubling the company’s production capacity. These plans include expanding refined metal capacity by 250 kilotonnes per annum (KTPA) and upgrading mines and milling infrastructure across multiple locations, with an investment of nearly ₹12,000 crore.
Published on January 24, 2026
