Robust TSF Governance Framework

Hindustan Zinc maintains a comprehensive tailings storage facility (TSF) governance structure aligned with GISTM principles, featuring Board and CEO oversight, an Independent Technical Review Board (ITRB), and Tailings Community of Practice (CoP) meetings. The Accountable Executive (Chief Operating Officer) enforces compliance with our Tailings Management Policy, internal standards, and GISTM requirements across the full TSF lifecycle, from design and operations, through closure and post-closure. His responsibilities are delegated through the IBU CEOs. This multi-layered approach targets zero harm to people and the environment by proactively addressing short- and long-term risks, including catastrophic failure prevention.

Managing Tailing Storage Facilities (TSF) With Leading Global Standards

Our TSF designs, operation, and closure practices will align with leading international standards, including GISTM, ICMM guidance, and applicable national regulations.

• Robust Tailings Management Policy with firm organisational commitment to safe practices
• Dedicated TSF Committee of internal experts, driving GISTM compliance
• Engagement of leading engineering firms for TSF design and oversight
• Regular TSF risk assessments with targeted mitigation measures
• Tailings reuse via paste-fill and hydro-fill backfilling applications
• Transition from wet to filtered tailings disposal systems
• Recovery and recycling of supernatant water for operational use
• Garland drains around TSFs maintaining zero liquid discharge
• Deployment of satellite-based interferometric synthetic aperture radar (InSAR) monitoring technique to provide early warning of surface ground movements

At Hindustan Zinc, we are committed to implementation of GISTM and to managing our TSFs in a safe and environmentally responsible way, without compromising on the health and well-being of our employees as well as communities. The Tailings Management Framework is an essential prerequisite for sound tailings governance and provides the strategy for implementing the Tailings Policy and GISTM, as most failures of tailing storage facilities around the world result from inadequate governance and management. Effective implementation of the Tailings Management Framework not only results in safer TSFs but will frequently reduce overall costs associated with operation and closure of the facility. The main focus of management of tailings facilities is to prevent potential flow failures. Each facility requires careful monitoring and maintenance to manage risks and ensure they operate within safety guidelines.

For further information on TSF governance, tailings monitoring and surveillance, tailings dam management, and tailings dam inventory, kindly refer Tailings Management Framework.

Advanced Geotechnical Monitoring

It is intended to enhance monitoring by adding state-of-the-art monitoring technologies to safeguard tailings dam stability, including:

• Total station surveys tracking slope movements
• Vibrating Wire Piezometers (VWP) monitoring pore water pressures
• InSAR satellite monitoring to measure long-term surface deformations
• Real-time water monitoring supported by satellite imagery
• Seepage flow monitoring
• Inclinometers detecting subsurface deformations
• CCTV systems for continuous security and visual inspections

Commitment to Leading the Way in Tailings Safety and Transparency

Hindustan Zinc is dedicated to enhancing the safety and transparency of its tailings facilities through a range of initiatives, including the adoption of international standards such as the Global Industry Standard on Tailings Management (GISTM) and the Tailings Management Guidelines set by the International Council on Mining and Metals (ICMM).

Strengthening Biodiversity Stewardship Across the Mine Lifecycle

We are committed to protecting and enhancing biodiversity across the full lifecycle of our operations. Aligned with the ICMM Mining Principle 7 and Nature Position Statement, we work closely with recognised expert organisations to minimise impacts and strengthen ecosystem resilience. Our approach is grounded in science-based planning, continuous assessment of biodiversity risks and dependencies, and proactive conservation actions, in line with our Biodiversity Management Policy.

For further information please refer to HZL's approach on Biodiversity Management.

Strengthening Transparency Through TNFD Leadership

Hindustan Zinc is an early adopter of the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD) framework. As active TNFD member, we contribute to the evolution of the framework through ongoing feedback. Our participation in the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD) strengthens integration of nature-related risks, dependencies, and opportunities into core business and financial decision-making. This approach enables us to systematically evaluate how ecosystem changes may affect our operations while ensuring greater transparency and accountability in our nature-related reporting.

Site-Specific BMPs in Collaboration with IUCN

We updated biodiversity management plans (BMPs) for all operational sites, achieving a major milestone in our three year collaborative programme with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). These IUCN-guided plans provide a science based roadmap to achieve no net loss (NNL) of biodiversity by closure, aligned with global best practices.

The collaborative exercise includes:

• Revising our biodiversity policy, technical standards, and guidance framework to align with international benchmarks and support our NNL ambition
• Evaluating and updating existing BMPs, integrating global best practices and developing site-specific protocols for biodiversity and ecosystem services management
• Creating annual action plans with clear activities, budgets, and timelines that align with the updated BMPs and corporate biodiversity commitments
• Building internal capability through training programmes that enhance employee understanding of biodiversity and ecosystem services management
• Establishing a year-on-year pathway to achieve no net loss, supported by targeted interventions at each site
• Assessed ecosystem-related risks and opportunities by evaluating the impacts and dependencies of our operations on local ecosystems, supported by the development of detailed, site-specific BMPs for all Rajasthan units