Hindustan Zinc Limited announced plans to unlock nearly ₹2,000 crore in value through artificial intelligence (AI)-driven transformation across its mining, smelting, and manufacturing operations. The company unveiled the initiative during ‘Zinnovation 2026’, an industrial technology showcase organised in Udaipur in collaboration with V-Spark DeepTech Ventures.
Through the initiative, Hindustan Zinc aims to enhance productivity, improve asset reliability, increase energy efficiency, strengthen operational safety, and accelerate decision-making using advanced industrial AI applications. The identified value pool is expected to emerge from large-scale digital deployment across the company’s integrated operations.
Global technology firms participate in Zinnovation 2026
The event brought together leading global technology companies, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), and deep-tech startups to showcase scalable AI and automation solutions for industrial applications. Participating companies included Microsoft, Google, ABB, Siemens Limited, Sandvik, and XCMG. During the event, Hindustan Zinc signed memorandums of understanding (MoUs) with XCMG, Sandvik, STL Digital, and AVEVA to evaluate and deploy next-generation industrial technologies across its operations.
Focus on predictive maintenance and digital twins
The newly formed partnerships will primarily focus on pilot projects involving predictive maintenance, digital twins, connected operations, robotics, autonomous systems, and industrial data platforms. Additionally, the collaborations aim to evaluate technology feasibility, integration capabilities, and scalable deployment models for broader manufacturing adoption. V-Spark DeepTech Ventures also signed agreements with several emerging startups, including Beta Tanks Robotics, Symboticware AI, Kernely, Infinite Uptime, and Flutura.
HZL 2.0 strategy focuses on intelligent manufacturing
Priya Agarwal Hebbar, Chairperson of Hindustan Zinc, stated that the future of manufacturing will depend on the ability to scale operations intelligently using technology and data-driven systems. She added that the company’s HZL 2.0 strategy aims to build a globally benchmarked metals enterprise powered by advanced digital capabilities and industrial innovation. According to the company, manufacturing contributes nearly 17 per cent to India’s GDP. However, industrial sectors have traditionally lagged behind industries such as finance and consumer technology in adopting AI-driven solutions.
Expanding industrial AI across manufacturing sectors
V-Spark DeepTech Ventures said it plans to expand industrial AI applications beyond Hindustan Zinc into the wider manufacturing ecosystem. The platform is currently collaborating with more than 50 deep-tech startups across over 100 projects focused on production enhancement, operational efficiency, sustainability, and cost optimisation.
Digital mining and smart smelting technologies showcased
The event highlighted Hindustan Zinc’s ongoing digital transformation initiatives in mining and smelting operations. Visitors witnessed demonstrations of tele-remote mining operations, virtual industrial systems, and smart manufacturing technologies designed to improve operational control, safety, and efficiency across the metals value chain.
