Vedanta Strengthens Gender Diversity with Women in Core Operational Roles

On International Day for Women in Mining, Vedanta Group reaffirmed its commitment to building a more inclusive and future-ready workforce, with women increasingly taking on operational, technical, and leadership roles across its businesses. Today, women account for 23 percent of Vedanta’s workforce, significantly higher than the mining industry’s average of 6 percent, with 13 percent deployed across mines, plants, smelters, refineries, and control centers — areas traditionally considered among the most challenging and underrepresented segments of the industry.

This progress has been enabled by the transformation by Vedanta, where technology, digitalization, and automation have made operations more standardized, efficient, and safer for all men and women alike. Vedanta’s mining and metals operations are increasingly technology-led, with engineers managing complex processes through digital platforms, advanced analytics, and real-time monitoring systems, while mechanization and advanced equipment support physically intensive tasks.

As technology, automation, and digitalization continue to transform the natural resources sector, Vedanta is expanding opportunities for women across mining, manufacturing, engineering, and operational functions. The company remains committed to achieving 35 percent women representation across its workforce.

The company’s focus on building a strong talent pipeline is reflected in its hiring outcomes, with women accounting for 50 percent of overall campus hires in FY26 and 30 percent of STEM recruits. These efforts are helping expand women’s participation across technical and engineering disciplines that are shaping the future of the sector.

Commenting on the milestone, Priya Agarwal Hebbar, Non-Executive Director, Vedanta Ltd and Chairperson, Hindustan Zinc Ltd, said, “Technology does not distinguish by gender. Innovation does not distinguish by gender. As industries evolve, opportunity should not either. Across our operations, we are seeing women take on frontline technical, operational, and leadership roles across our businesses, helping shape a mining and natural resources sector that is more modern, productive, and future-ready. As India builds the industries that will power its next phase of growth, expanding opportunities for women in core sectors is both a business imperative and a national priority. Diverse teams bring fresh perspectives, accelerate innovation, and strengthen organizational resilience. At Vedanta and Hindustan Zinc, we are committed to creating pathways for women to build meaningful careers, lead with confidence, and play a defining role in shaping India’s industrial future.”

This transformation is increasingly visible across Vedanta’s businesses. At Vedanta Aluminium, women geologists are playing a critical role in exploration, geological modeling, mine planning, and coal quality management, while an all-women potline (aluminum production line) team at Jharsuguda manages complex aluminum production operations at one of the world’s largest aluminum smelters.

At Hindustan Zinc, women engineers are contributing to underground mining operations, supported by India’s first all-women underground mine rescue teams that are setting new benchmarks in safety and emergency preparedness. In a landmark move, Hindustan Zinc became the first Indian mining company to deploy women engineers underground after the Government of India opened up underground mining roles for women in 2019.

Women are also taking on roles in night shifts across Hindustan Zinc, Vedanta Aluminium, and Vedanta Oil & Gas, supported by strengthened safety systems and secure transport facilities. At Vedanta Oil & Gas, women have been operating night shifts at the Mangala Processing Terminal since 2019, managing complex hydrocarbon processing systems around the clock. Across power generation operations, women are also leading specialized technical roles, including locomotive and safety operations supporting critical plant functions.

Supporting Women Across Life Stages

Beyond recruitment, Vedanta focuses on long-term retention and growth through:

●      Structured returnship programs post maternity

●      Flexible work arrangements and inclusive shift structures

●      Spouse hiring policies in remote locations

●      Leadership acceleration tracks for high-potential women

●      Access to world-class integrated townships offering quality housing, healthcare, education, childcare, sports infrastructure, and vibrant community life

As the industry undergoes rapid transformation, women are playing an increasingly important role in managing large-scale operations, driving digital and automation initiatives, advancing sustainability goals, and contributing to the next phase of growth across Vedanta’s businesses.

For more information: www.vedanta.co.in