Aggeneys, 13 March 2025

Vedanta Zinc International (VZI) is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Vijay Kumar as VZI Deputy CEO, effective 13 February 2025, as replacement of Mr. Jacques van Tonder.

Mr. Kumar will take over the role with the key focus on leading VZI’s business growth strategy and providing stewardship toward delivering volumes, cost, growth projects, reserves, and early monetisation targets, whilst maintaining best-in-class levels of Safety, Sustainability, and Governance standards. He will drive expansion through innovation, technology adoption and operational improvements. In addition, he will heed strategic planning, operational efficiency, and stakeholder engagement for VZI.

As Deputy CEO, Mr. Kumar will prioritise VZI’s robust community programmes to serve 100% of its host communities, create the best workplace for its employees and develop a full green energy solution to become water-positive and carbon-neutral. He will proactively incorporate sustainability in all VZI’s practices to ensure long-term industry viability, foster a zero-harm culture, ensure regulatory compliance,anchor VZI’s contribution to the regional and national economy and maintain a positive social license to operate.

Under his leadership, VZI looks forward to shape industry success by balancing profitability, sustainability, and stakeholder interests, ensuring long-term benefits for Transforming the Workplace, Communities and the Planet.

Mr. Kumar is an acknowledged global leader who brings three decades of rich experience in the global mining industry. He has held key leadership roles at Tata Steel, Anglo American, including Head of Supply Chain for Anglo American, South Africa, and COO of Kumba Iron Ore. Mr. Kumar has adeptly managed extensive mining operations and initiatives, instilling a zero-harm ethos, revamping underperforming assets, navigating intricate supply chains and enhancing organisational performance across various commodities and geographical areas.