Hindustan Zinc Limited has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Virginia Tech to undertake research aimed at improving silver recovery across its lead–zinc concentrator plants.
The collaboration will focus on strengthening the scientific understanding of flotation processes used to separate and concentrate metals such as lead, zinc and silver from mined ore. The initiative will evaluate ways to refine flotation methods and optimise the use of reagents—specialised chemicals added during processing—to improve concentrate quality and enhance operational efficiency at the company’s concentrator facilities.
Virginia Tech, a public research university based in Blacksburg, is globally recognised for its expertise in mining engineering, mineral processing and applied metallurgical research. Through this partnership, Hindustan Zinc will work with the university to leverage global research insights and technical expertise to strengthen process understanding and improve performance across its concentrator operations.
The research programme will examine key metallurgical factors that influence flotation selectivity and overall metal recovery in lead–zinc processing plants. A particular focus will be placed on studying reagent–mineral–water interactions, which play an important role in maintaining process stability and improving concentrate quality.
The project will also aim to identify optimised operating strategies and reagent regimes to support greater plant stability, better concentrate quality and more consistent operational outcomes. The study will include diagnostics, laboratory evaluations and technical assessments designed for practical implementation across the company’s processing facilities.
Another key component of the collaboration will involve knowledge transfer and technical capacity building for Hindustan Zinc’s teams. This will include structured workshops, training programmes and technical exchanges focused on plant optimisation, reagent strategy and process improvement.
The partnership reflects Hindustan Zinc’s broader strategy to strengthen its technology and innovation capabilities through global collaborations. The company has previously worked with several academic and research institutions including the Indian Institutes of Technology, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research laboratories and Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research on projects related to mineral processing, critical metals research, zinc-based battery technologies and process optimisation.