Vedanta's Hindustan Zinc Ranks No. 1 in S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment 2023

• HZL & Vedanta become the only Indian companies in global top 10 in metal and mining sector
• Parent company Vedanta Ltd. secures 3^rd position globally in the sector, moves up 3 ranks

NEW DELHI, Jan. 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Vedanta's Hindustan Zinc (HZL), the world's largest zinc, lead, and silver producer, has secured the coveted first position in the S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment 2023 in the metals and mining sector. With an impressive score of 85, Hindustan Zinc stands out as the top-ranked company among the 238 global peers in the sector. Vedanta Limited, the parent company secured the third position globally, moving up three ranks with a notable score of 80.

The accomplishment reflects the company's commitment to sustainable business practices and responsible corporate citizenship. The score also makes Vedanta eligible for inclusion in The Dow Jones Sustainability World Index, one of the world's most trusted environmental, social, and governance (ESG) indices, The Dow Jones Sustainability Emerging Markets Index, and the S&P Global LargeMidCap ESG Index.

Speaking on this achievement, Ms. Priya Agarwal Hebbar, Chairperson, Hindustan Zinc Limited and Non-Executive Director, Vedanta Limited said, "We are proud of Hindustan Zinc's and Vedanta's remarkable performance in the S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment. Our improved ranking in the prestigious global assessment is a testament to our commitment towards building a sustainable future. We continue to march on this transformative journey, creating global benchmarks in our industry. Our gratitude to our colleagues, supply partners and investors who are all part of the unique support system that's made this achievement possible."

The Group's continuous efforts to enhance Environmental, Social, and Governance practices, have resulted in a significant improvement from the previous year's score of 76, where Vedanta was ranked 6th. With these rankings, the company joins the ranks of global companies like Newmont Corp, Anglo American plc and Teck Resources Limited.

This remarkable achievement can be attributed to enhanced ESG strategies, disclosure practices, and implementation efforts at Vedanta. These improvements have led to the company achieving top scores in categories such as Transparency & Reporting, Biodiversity Management, Resource Efficiency & Circularity, and Waste Management within the industry.

With more than two decades of experience in ESG rating, S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment (erstwhile DJSI) is one of the oldest, trusted and referred ratings. It assessed 238 global metal and mining companies across Environment, Social and Governance performance parameters.

About Hindustan Zinc Limited:

Hindustan Zinc, a Vedanta Group company in Zinc-Lead and Silver business is world's 2nd largest integrated Zinc producer and 5th largest Silver producer. The company governs about ~75% of the growing Zinc market in India with its headquarters at Udaipur along with Zinc-Lead mines and smelting complexes spread across the state of Rajasthan. Hindustan Zinc is self-sufficient in power with captive thermal power plants and has ventured into green energy by setting-up wind power plants. The company has secured the highest CSA score of 85 in the S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment in 2023 amongst Metals & Mining companies. Hindustan Zinc is a certified Water Positive company and is the only Indian company to be recognized at the S&P Global Platts Metal Award 2022 winning two prestigious awards for 'Industry Leadership Award – Base, Precious & Specialty Metals' Award and 'Corporate Social Responsibility' Award. The company takes pride in having some of the best-in-class people practices and employee-centric initiatives, which have certified Hindustan Zinc as – 'Great Place to Work 2023', 'Company with Great Managers 2022' by People Business and the 'People-first HR Excellence Award'. As a socially responsible corporate, Hindustan Zinc has been relentlessly working towards transforming lives of 1.7 million people in 237 villages in the states of Rajasthan and Uttarakhand. The company is amongst the Top 10 CSR Spenders in India.

About Vedanta Limited

Vedanta Limited ("Vedanta"), a subsidiary of Vedanta Resources Limited, is one of the world's leading natural resources companies spanning across India, South Africa, Namibia, Liberia, UAE, Korea, Taiwan and Japan with significant operations in Oil & Gas, Zinc, Lead, Silver, Copper, Iron Ore, Steel, Nickel, Aluminium, Power & Glass Substrate and foraying into semiconductors and display glass. For two decades, Vedanta has been contributing significantly to nation building. Governance and sustainable development are at the core of Vedanta's strategy, with a strong focus on health, safety, and environment. Vedanta has put in place a comprehensive framework to be the ESG leader in the natural resources sector, is committed to reducing carbon emissions to net zero by 2050 or sooner and aims to spend $5 billion over the next 10 years to accelerate this transition. Giving back is in the DNA of Vedanta, which is focused on enhancing the lives of local communities. Anil Agarwal Foundation, the umbrella entity for Vedanta's social initiatives, has pledged Rs 5000 crore over the next five years on various social impact programs and its flagship project, Nand Ghar is setting up model anganwadis across India. Vedanta Ltd. has been listed in Dow Jones Sustainability World Index, conferred Golden Peacock Award for excellence in Corporate Governance 2022 and certified as a Great Place to Work 2023. Vedanta Limited is listed on the Bombay Stock Exchange and the National Stock Exchange. 

For more information, please visit www.vedantalimited.com.

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