It is a 64.92% subsidiary of Vedanta Group's Sterlite Industries and is India's largest and world's second largest integrated producer of zinc and lead, with a global market share of 6% in zinc. Being one of the lowest cost producers in the world, the company has 4 mines in Rajasthan, 4 smelting operations (3 in Rajasthan, 1 in Andhra Pradesh) and captive power plant. Its product portfolio includes refined zinc metal, refined lead metal, silver, cadmium and sulphuric acid. This Vedanta group company has done well for Q4FY13, beating most of the estimates. Net sales was up 24% (YoY) at Rs.3850 crore, led mainly by silver, which showed a 49% rise in revenue, followed by zinc, up 25%. Lead showed a growth of 7%.

EBITDA at Rs.2127 crore was up 29% but it ended the quarter with a much higher jump in net profit at Rs.2166 crore, up 53%.  The Zinc metal cost, without royalty, during the quarter was Rs. 44,900 per MT ($829), 8% higher in INR and flat in USD terms from a year ago. The cost for FY 2013 was higher by 14% in INR and flat in USD term at Rs. 45,500 per MT ($835), compared with the previous year. The increase was due to higher strip ratio at Rampura Agucha and lower acid credits, partially offset by lower power costs.

In line with the mined metal production trend during the year, integrated production of refined Zinc was up 8% sequentially to 181kt in Q4. However, integrated production of refined Zinc was down 4% in Q4 and 12% in FY13 from a year ago. The YoY decline in Zinc metal production was mainly on account of lower MIC production in the first half in comparison to that in second half. The surplus MIC was sold during the quarter. Integrated production of refined Lead was 32kt in Q4 and 107kt in the full year, up 2% and 20% respectively from corresponding prior periods. Integrated refined Silver production was 100 tonnes in Q4 and 322 tonnes in the full year, up 20% and 36% respectively, driven by higher contribution from SK mine and Dariba Lead smelter.

Besides being debt-free, company as at 31st March 2013, had cash and cash equivalents of Rs. 21,479 crore, out of which Rs. 12,276 crore was invested in debt mutual funds, Rs.2,151 crore in bonds, Rs 6,893 crore were in fixed deposits with Banks and Rs.159 crore in others. over Rs.6942 crore of cash and cash equivalents at end of FY13 and reserves is at Rs.31,431 crore. Looking ahead, it expects overall mined metal production for the entire year to be higher than the previous year. Mined metal production in FY 2014 is projected to increase by 15% to 1.0 mtpa. Integrated saleable. Silver production from is projected to be about 360 tonnes in FY 2014. Its expansion at its underground mines at Rampura Agucha and Kayar which can give zinc, lead and silver, are expected to on stream by FY14 and that will become a big earning booster. The company has declared a dividend of 155% for the year, the highest ever.