The Vedanta Group firm Hindustan Zinc (HZL) has signed a pact with the Gujarat Government to set up a greenfield zinc smelter in the State. The plant will be spread over 415 acre of land. The facility will entail an investment of Rs 5,000-10,000 crore in phases, creating more than 5,000 direct and indirect jobs and will be operational by 2022. The zinc smelter plant will have a capacity of 300 kilo tpa to be set up at Doswada, Gujarat Industrial Development Corporation (GIDC). The new facility – the first for Hindustan Zinc in Gujarat — will be set up with zero discharge technology and among the lowest-cost smelters in the world. This is one of the largest MoUs signed by the State under the State’s new industrial policy which gives extra benefits to companies investing in backward tribal districts. Located in proximity to the two ports and key markets of consumption, the new facility will produce zinc and other minor metals. Doswada GIDC is located in Tapi district and offers proximity to the existing Hazira port (110 km) and the upcoming Magdalla port (90 km).