Long before Europe discovered zinc, India was already exporting it. Long before the word ‘metallurgy’ was coined, Zawar in Udaipur district, Rajasthan was perfecting it. Nestled within the mineral-rich folds of the Aravalli hills lies Zawar — the world’s oldest known site of zinc mining and smelting, a living testament to India’s ancient technological prowess.
Archaeological discoveries trace large-scale zinc production in Zawar to as early as 750 BCE (Before Common Era), with some evidence suggesting metallurgical activity began nearly 2,750 BCE. While Europe was still experimenting with zinc production in the 18th century, Zawar’s Bhil community had already mastered it using techniques that shaped global metallurgy. In ancient India, Zawar was exporting zinc globally to produce brass and coins. This extraordinary legacy finds its modern custodian in Hindustan Zinc, a Vedanta Group company, which today is the world’s largest integrated zinc producer — meeting 77% of India’s zinc demand and supplying to more than 40 countries worldwide. Zinc is a critical metal, primarily used in the steel industry to protect steel from corrosion. India loses approximately 5% of its GDP each year due to corrosion — a loss that can be significantly mitigated through the application of zinc.
Despite the presence of zinc ore in the USA, Australia, Canada, Poland and Iran, it wasn’t until 1743 CE (Common Era) that Europe finally managed to smelt zinc, a milestone made possible through the transfer of knowledge from India. By then, Zawar’s furnaces had been refining zinc for over two millennia. The brilliance lay in the unique reverse distillation technique developed by Zawar’s metallurgists, a process involving precise temperature control, water-cooled chambers and intricately crafted brinjal-shaped clay retorts coated with turmeric for durability. These inverted pots enabled the collection of pure zinc vapour and the production of high-quality zinc. Today, scattered remnants of these ancient retorts can be found all around Zawar, narrating a phenomenal story of ancient scientific innovation.
Zawar’s true achievement was producing at an industrial scale. A typical furnace in Zawar would house a batch of 36 retorts, carefully arranged on perforated clay plates, creating vapour pathways that connected to condensing chambers. This ingenious system allowed for the efficient distillation of zinc, centuries before such processes were documented elsewhere.
The name Zawar, often referred to as Jawar, is believed to have originated from ‘jewar’, meaning jewellery, a nod to its flourishing silver trade that was found alongside zinc. Yet, it was zinc that truly defined Zawar’s global legacy. Although zinc ore existed in other parts of the world, no other civilization cracked the code of producing it. Zawar did.
Zawar is more than just an ancient mining site — it is a geological time capsule. According to Somdeb Dutta Mal, Geologist at Hindustan Zinc, “Zawar is a site of immense geological and historical significance — set within a billion-year-old meta-sedimentary basin, its narrow vein-type ore bodies in dolomite present unique challenges, making every discovery here a deep dive into Earth’s ancient history.”
Mining activity in Zawar briefly paused in 1812 due to the challenges posed by deeper ore bodies and prevailing socio-political unrest. However, its revival came in 1966, when Hindustan Zinc reignited the site’s legacy. Today, Zawar thrives as a hub of innovation-led mining, where age-old wisdom and rich ore body meet cutting-edge technology. Today, Hindustan Zinc produces more than 2 lakh tonnes of zinc metal in concentrate (fine powder produced from ore).
Hindustan Zinc uses the world’s top technology such as drone based underground exploration, borehole electromagnetics (exclusively deployed by Hindustan Zinc in India), geophysical surveys and AI-driven 3D modelling to identify new reserves and execute sustainable mining. From ancient methods to advanced exploration technology, every advancement has improved precision and enhanced ore production. Zawar reflects the perfect synthesis of India’s ancient mining knowledge with modern technological progress.
A defining chapter in Zawar’s modern era was scripted in 2002, when Vedanta Group acquired equity stake in Hindustan Zinc. This landmark move is regarded as one of the most successful disinvestments by the Indian government. Under Vedanta’s leadership, Hindustan Zinc underwent strategic capital infusion, embraced global best practices and fostered a culture of technological innovation. Mining efficiencies reimagined, smelting processes were modernized and technological integration became the cornerstone of operations. Interestingly, Zawar has witnessed a phenomenal 4-times growth since disinvestment. In 2016, the Geological Society of India declared Zawar a National Geological Heritage Site in recognition of its legacy.
Yojitha Kattekola, Mining Engineer and a member of India’s first women underground mine rescue team at Hindustan Zinc, reflects on her journey: “Joining Hindustan Zinc straight out of college and contributing to the legacy of the iconic Zawar mines has been an incredibly rewarding journey. To work at a location that pioneered zinc production centuries ago and now stands as a global benchmark in modern underground mining is a source of immense pride. Zawar’s evolution — from manual-intensive methods to digitalized operations — is a powerful reflection of how technology and operational excellence go hand in hand.”
In today’s world, where the transition to clean energy has become a global imperative, zinc has emerged as a critical enabler — powering batteries, strengthening infrastructure and driving automotive innovation. From an ancient tribal innovation to a globally significant industrial operation, Zawar’s journey stands as a testament to the enduring supremacy of India’s metallurgical excellence. This mine, along with the company’s other four mines, has made Hindustan Zinc the world’s largest integrated zinc producer and India’s only zinc & silver producer. The company not only preserving this civilizational legacy but also propelling innovation for a sustainable future. Zawar’s zinc is far more than an industrial resource, it is India’s ancient gift to its future progress.
About Hindustan Zinc Limited
Hindustan Zinc Limited (BSE: 500188 and NSE: HINDZINC), a Vedanta Group company, is the world’s largest integrated zinc producer and is amongst the top 5 silver producers globally. The company supplies to more than 40 countries and holds a market share of about 77% of the primary zinc market in India. Hindustan Zinc has been recognized as the world’s most sustainable company in the metals and mining category for the second consecutive year by the S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment 2024, reflecting its operational excellence, innovation, and leading ESG practices. The company also launched EcoZen, Asia's first low carbon 'green' zinc brand. Produced using renewable energy, EcoZen has a carbon footprint of less than 1 tonne of carbon equivalent per tonne of zinc produced, about 75% lower than the global average. Hindustan Zinc is also a certified 3.32 times Water-Positive company and is committed to achieving Net Zero emissions by 2050 or sooner. Transforming the lives of 2.3 million people through its focused social welfare initiatives, Hindustan Zinc is among the Top 10 CSR companies in India. As an energy transition metals company, Hindustan Zinc is pivotal in providing critical metals essential for a sustainable future.
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Hindustan Zinc Ltd
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