Mines Secretary Announces Govt's Rejection Of Hindustan Zinc Split Plan

In response to inquiries regarding the reason behind the rejection of the proposal, the Secretary elaborated, stating, "Whatever report we have in front of us, we are not convinced as a shareholder"

The mines ministry has declined a proposal put forth by Hindustan Zinc Ltd, a firm under the Vedanta group, to divide the company into distinct entities, as confirmed by a senior official on Friday, according to a news agency PTI report. With the government holding a significant stake of 29.54 per cent in Hindustan Zinc, it plays a pivotal role as the largest minority shareholder within the company.

Speaking to reporters during a function, Mines Secretary V L Kantha Rao stated, "We have not agreed to the proposal." This decision comes amidst Hindustan Zinc's earlier announcement outlining its intentions to segregate its operations into separate entities, including divisions for zinc and silver, with the aim of enhancing its market capitalisation.

In response to inquiries regarding the reason behind the rejection of the proposal, the Secretary elaborated, stating, "Whatever report we have in front of us, we are not convinced as a shareholder." This indicates a thorough evaluation of the proposal's merits and potential impacts by the mines ministry.

Prior to this decision, Hindustan Zinc had communicated its engagement with a prominent advisory firm to conduct an in-depth examination of its strategy to separate its business segments. This suggests the company's proactive approach towards exploring avenues for potential restructuring and expansion.

As per a regulatory filing, the initiative seeks to establish distinct legal entities for zinc, lead, silver, and recycling operations. The company's board has delineated strategic objectives driving this endeavour, which encompass unlocking value for all stakeholders and forming enterprises poised to leverage their unique market positions for sustained growth over the long term.

Furthermore, the endeavour seeks to establish suitable capital structures and allocation policies tailored to the specific dynamics of each business unit. This aims to enhance the company's focus on core competencies and facilitate the strategic realignment of its resources.