Hindustan Zinc secures licence to explore and mine tungsten in Andhra Pradesh

Hindustan Zinc Ltd. has received a composite licence from the Andhra Pradesh government to explore and mine a tungsten block in the state.

The announcement marks a key development for the Vedanta Group company as it seeks to broaden its operations beyond zinc, lead, and silver and enter the space of critical, high-value minerals needed for advanced manufacturing.

In its statement, the company said, "Hindustan Zinc has been officially announced as the successful bidder for a tungsten and associated mineral block in Andhra Pradesh, following the receipt of the formal composite licence from the state government."

A composite licence allows a company to both explore a mineral block and mine it later if deposits are confirmed.

Earlier this year, the Centre had declared Hindustan Zinc the preferred bidder, following a competitive auction process. This latest approval formalises the company’s rights over the block.

The company’s CEO, Arun Misra, called the development an important step. "This milestone marks another step forward in Hindustan Zinc's journey of expanding its mineral footprint and contributing to the nation's self-reliance in critical and strategic minerals," he said.

Hindustan Zinc is currently the world’s largest integrated zinc producer and one of the top five silver producers globally. It supplies to over 40 countries and holds around 77% of India’s primary zinc market.