Udaipur, 11th Feb: On the occasion of the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, Hindustan Zinc, the world’s largest integrated zinc producer and one of the top five silver producers globally, kickstarted “She Knows the Ground She Stands On”, an immersive, on-ground initiative designed to give young women first-hand exposure to mining and metals operations. Over the next 25–30 days, select bright young women from India’s premier science colleges will step into Hindustan Zinc’s mining and metals operations as part of a social experiment aimed at amplifying how women perceive and are perceived within the metals sector.
The first cohort of students recently visited the operations, with participants from premier institutions including IIT (ISM) Dhanbad, MNIT Jaipur, Banasthali Vidyapith, CTAE Udaipur, MLSU Udaipur, and MBM Jodhpur. The group represented diverse academic backgrounds across electrical engineering, mining, geology, and metallurgy, and gained first-hand exposure to large-scale industrial operations, advanced technologies, and evolving career opportunities in core STEM roles.
The initiative is designed to offer structured, first-hand exposure to the scale, complexity, and technological advancement of the metals and mining sector. Through curated site immersions across underground mines, smelters, and laboratories, students gain a deeper understanding of modern mining practices, digital and automated operations, safety systems, and the wide spectrum of career pathways available in core STEM roles. The experience also enables direct interactions with engineers and technical leaders, helping bridge the gap between academic learning and real-world industry application while building confidence among young women to consider long-term careers in the sector. Sharing her experience, Ankita Gour, Mechanical Engineering student from MBM University, Jodhpur, said,
“I am very excited to finally see the concepts I have read about in my mechanical engineering books come alive in real life during my visit to the mining operations.”
Highlighting the broader intent behind the initiative and its focus on building future pathways for women in STEM, Mr. Arun Misra, CEO, Hindustan Zinc, said, “The future of the metals and mining sector will be defined by how we nurture diverse talent, accelerate innovation, and build a future-ready workforce. At Hindustan Zinc, we see inclusion as a strategic strength that drives performance and long-term value creation. ‘She Knows the Ground She Stands On’ is a meaningful step towards creating early exposure and encouraging more young women to explore and lead careers in science, technology, and mining. By opening our operations to young minds, we aim to inspire confidence, shift perceptions, and create a stronger, more representative talent pipeline for the sector.”
Students across institutions shared similar reflections on experiencing industrial operations up close for the first time. Adding to this, Shruti Kumari, Mining Engineering student from IIT (ISM) Dhanbad, shared,
“I am excited about the big machines and high-energy environment we’ll experience. It’s inspiring to see like-minded women who are just as efficient and capable in any role. I look forward to meeting women employees leading from the surface to the shop floor.”
Hindustan Zinc has long pioneered inclusion in the metals and mining sector, with one of the highest proportions of women professionals in core operations compared to peers. Today, over a quarter of its workforce comprises women, including leaders across critical fields from engineering to geology and lab sciences. Hindustan Zinc’s young and dynamic workforce, with nearly 62% employees under the age of 35, further reflects the company’s future-ready culture and its strong appeal as a workplace for emerging talent. The company is on track to achieve at least 30% women representation by 2030, reinforcing its commitment to gender diversity and positioning metals and mining as a compelling and inclusive career choice for women scientists and technologists.
Beyond this campaign, Hindustan Zinc continues to strengthen its ecosystem for women’s success across the organisation and community. The company’s progressive people policies include flexible working arrangements, spouse-hiring, mental and physical wellness leave, extended parental sabbaticals, and expanded participation in all operational shifts, including night shift roles now open to women, ensuring equitable career pathways. Hindustan Zinc’s digital transformation including tele-remote mining, robotics, automation, and real-time analytics reduces the need for manual labour and makes technical roles more accessible, further reinforcing its mission to make mining a lucrative, future-ready career choice for women in science.