Waste Management and Circular Economy
Our Approach Towards Circular Economy
Our Environmental Policy drives responsible waste management through a circular economy approach, anchored in the 4R principles of reduce, reuse, recycle, and reclaim, across our operations. The efforts are directed at minimising waste generation, reducing waste intensity, improving resource efficiency, and maximising the recovery and utilisation of waste through innovative technologies & sustainable practices. Residual waste is managed through environmentally responsible disposal methods.
The policy promotes continuous monitoring, risk assessment, and integration of circularity considerations into business decisions. We also engage employees, partners, and stakeholders to enhance awareness, build capabilities, and drive collective action towards minimising environmental impact and achieving our ambition of zero waste to landfill. For further information, refer Sustainability | Waste Management.
Key Circular Economy Outcomes
- Reduced 101 kt of Jarosite through optimisation of the fumer operations
- Enabled large-scale waste utilisation by repurposing 654 kt of Jarosite and Jarofix for use in the cement, road, and railway sectors
- Recycled input material in alliance with Runaya Green Tech Private Limited with waste recovery of 43,448 MT and recovery of other minerals in the form of copper dross, copper sulphate, etc.
- Developed an innovative process to recover iron and cadmium from Jarosite where iron is getting converted into hematite (Fe2O3)
Key Initiatives and Partnerships
- Board approved India's first zinc tailings reprocessing plant at Rampura Agucha with an investment of ₹ 3,823 crore and a 10 Mtpa feed capacity, strengthening secondary resource use
- Entered into an MoU with Virginia Tech to advance research on improving silver recovery from lead-zinc concentrators through enhanced flotation techniques and optimised reagent usage, strengthening concentrate quality and plant performance
- Advanced in-house technology development for recovery of hematite and other valuable metals from Jarosite, with a 5 MT pilot plant planned for commissioning in March 2027, supported by ongoing technical validation
Advancing Waste Innovation Through Research & Development
This year, we intensified our R&D agenda by strengthening our scientific capabilities and expanding state-of-the-art research infrastructure to drive next-generation waste reduction technologies. The focus remains firmly on reducing waste to landfill dependency, placing Waste to Wealth Community at the core. Through this integrated approach, we are advancing towards a future where every manufacturing by-product is converted into value, creating a waste-free ecosystem.
Reducing Waste to Landfill Dependency
- Continuous experimentation
- Material recovery innovations
- Process optimisation
Waste to Wealth Community
- Leads cross-functional research initiatives
- Identifies and scales emerging waste utilisation innovations
- Converts manufacturing by-products into valuable resources
Transforming smelting residues into sustainable material values
Pioneering Value from Smelting Residue
We have ramped up our R&D efforts by investing in skilled scientists and state-of-the-art technical facilities. Strategic partnerships with world-class universities, research institutes, and technology providers are integral to driving innovation. Our R&D focus is squarely on achieving zero waste by 2030, with an emphasis on eliminating the need for waste disposal in secure landfills (SLFs).
Zinc Fumer Plant: A Game-Changer in Metal Recovery
Commissioning of the fumer plant at Chanderiya is one of the landmark achievements for the Company. This cutting-edge facility has enhanced metal recovery, particularly silver, from zinc waste residues. The plant transforms Jarosite into clean slag, enabling waste recycling and creating both economic and environmental benefits.
Iron Recovery from Jarosite: Unlocking New Potential
Our R&D team has developed an innovative process to recover iron from Jarosite, converting it into hematite (Fe2O3). This new process is being further validated at the bench scale and we are excited to explore the product's market potential, expanding the range of materials that can be sustainably sourced from waste.
Innovative Recycling in Effluent Treatment
In line with our sustainability goals, we continue to develop innovative methods to recover zinc metal losses and reduce solid waste in effluent treatment plants (ETPs). These efforts are part of our broader strategy to minimise waste generation across all stages of the production process.