THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU
NEW DELHI, JULY 25, 2026
Hindustan Zinc on Friday appointed former Steel Authority of
India Limited (SAIL) Chairman and Managing Director Amarendu Prakash as its
Chief Executive Officer-designate while reporting a more than twofold jump in
its consolidated net profit for the first quarter of FY27, driven by a sharp
rally in zinc and silver prices and strong operating performance.
Prakash will assume charge as Chief Executive Officer on
August 1, succeeding Arun Misra, whose tenure concludes on July 31. A veteran
of India's steel industry with more than three decades of experience, Prakash
led SAIL from 2023 to 2026, spearheading initiatives focused on operational
excellence, capacity expansion, digital transformation and organisational
performance. His appointment comes at a time when Hindustan Zinc is looking to
strengthen its leadership as it capitalises on favourable global commodity
market conditions.
The company has also strengthened its leadership team with
the appointment of Amit Gupta as Chief Financial Officer, effective June 1,
2026. A qualified Chartered Accountant, Gupta brings over 20 years of
experience in strategic finance, capital allocation, business transformation,
cost optimisation and corporate governance across various Vedanta Group
companies.
Hindustan Zinc reported a consolidated net profit of ₹5,469
crore for the quarter ended June
30, more than double the ₹2,234 crore posted in the corresponding period
last year. The company's net profit margin expanded significantly to 40 per
cent from 29 per cent a year earlier, reflecting stronger metal price
realisations and improved
operational efficiency.
Revenue from operations surged 77 per cent year-on-year to ₹13,747
crore, primarily driven by higher international prices of zinc and silver.
Although total expenses rose 33.2 per cent to ₹6,749 crore during the quarter,
the increase was substantially lower than the
growth in revenue, enabling the company to deliver a sharp expansion in
profitability.
The strong quarterly performance was underpinned by a sustained rally in both base and precious metals. Zinc prices strengthened during the quarter amid global supply concerns, while silver prices witnessed a sharp surge as investors sought safe-haven assets during the ongoing geopolitical conflict involving Iran. According to a Jefferies research note, spot zinc prices climbed 31 per cent during the period, while spot silver prices more than doubled, providing a significant boost to Hindustan Zinc's earnings.
Operationally, India's largest integrated zinc producer, which accounts for nearly three-fourths of the domestic zinc market, also registered steady production growth. Mined metal production increased 1 per cent year-on-year to 268 kilotonnes during the quarter, while refined metal output rose 4 per cent to 260 kilotonnes, reinforcing the company's strong production base alongside favourable market conditions.
