Hindustan Zinc Secures Licence to Mine Tungsten in AP, Marks Expansion Into Critical Minerals
Hindustan Zinc secures licence to explore tungsten in Andhra Pradesh.
Hindustan Zinc Ltd., a Vedanta Group company and the world’s largest integrated zinc producer, announced that it has received a composite licence from the Andhra Pradesh government to explore and mine a tungsten block in the state. The development represents a significant step in the company’s strategic expansion beyond its core zinc, lead, and silver operations into critical and high-value minerals vital for next-generation industries such as electronics, defense, and clean energy.
According to the company’s statement, Hindustan Zinc was officially declared the successful bidder for the tungsten and associated mineral block following a competitive auction process organized by the central government earlier this year. The formal composite licence now grants the company both exploration and future mining rights for the mineral, should exploration results prove commercially viable.
A composite licence serves as a two-stage mining concession that allows the holder to seamlessly transition from initial geological exploration to extraction upon obtaining regulatory approvals. This streamlines the otherwise lengthy process of acquiring separate licences for exploration and commercial mining, thereby accelerating project timelines and mineral output potential.
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Commenting on the achievement, Arun Misra, CEO of Hindustan Zinc, said, “This milestone marks another step forward in Hindustan Zinc’s journey of expanding its mineral footprint and contributing to India’s self-reliance in critical and strategic minerals.” He added that the company’s aim is to align with the government’s larger vision of mineral security to support advanced manufacturing sectors in the country.
Hindustan Zinc currently commands about 77 percent of India’s primary zinc market and stands among the top five silver producers globally. The company exports to over 40 countries and continues to broaden its raw material portfolio as part of Vedanta Group’s sustainability-led growth strategy. With tungsten playing a key role in aerospace, energy, and industrial applications, this project reinforces Hindustan Zinc’s ambition to become a major player in India’s emerging critical minerals ecosystem.
