Rating Rationale
January 08, 2020 | Mumbai
Hindustan Zinc Limited
Rated amount enhanced 
 
Rating Action
Total Bank Loan Facilities Rated Rs.2450 Crore
Long Term Rating CRISIL AAA/Stable (Reaffirmed)
Short Term Rating CRISIL A1+ (Reaffirmed)
 
Rs.7500 Crore Commercial Paper (Enhanced from Rs.5000 Crore) CRISIL A1+ (Reaffirmed)
1 crore = 10 million
Refer to annexure for Details of Instruments & Bank Facilities
Detailed Rationale

CRISIL has reaffirmed its 'CRISIL AAA/Stable/CRISIL A1+' ratings on bank facilities and commercial paper of Hindustan Zinc Limited (HZL). The ratings continue to reflect the company's dominant position in India's zinc industry, its efficient and integrated operations, and strong financial risk profile. These strengths are partially offset by susceptibility to cyclicality in the galvanised steel sector and concentration risk.

Key Rating Drivers & Detailed Description
Strengths
* Dominant market position in the domestic zinc market: HZL has a mined metal capacity of around 1 mn tonne per annum (tpa), and smelter capacities of 880,000 tpa for zinc, 205,000 tpa for lead, and 800 tpa for silver. It is the second largest zinc-lead miner and the fourth largest zinc-lead smelter globally. With a share of over 75% by volume, it enjoys a dominant position in the domestic zinc market. CRISIL expects metal capacity to ramp up to 1.2 mtpa by end of fiscal 2020, on completion of the ongoing capital expenditure plan (capex). Further, high entry barriers, such as capital-intensive operations and lack of zinc ore mines, lend a significant edge to the business risk profile. Presence in the global markets also enhances revenue diversity; in fiscal 2019, exports contributed about 21% of revenue.
 
* Integrated operations and high-grade reserves, leading to competitive cost position: HZL's cost of production ranks in the first quartile globally (zinc metal cost, excluding royalty, has been around USD 1057 per tonne for the six months ended September 2019). High operating efficiency is driven by significant backward integration and low-cost, high-grade zinc reserves. Operations are integrated across the entire value chain, from mining of zinc and lead ore, to conversion to concentrates, smelting these to refined zinc and lead, and production of power through captive power plants (captive power plant capacity of 474 MW). As on March 31, 2019, net reserves and resources were 403 mt, ensuring a long mine life of over 25 years. With access to bulk of lead-zinc deposits in Rajasthan through long-term agreements with the Government of India (GoI), the company should be able to sustain as a low-cost producer of zinc, over the medium term. Transition to underground mining from open-cast mining was completed by end of fiscal 2018.
 
Moderation in zinc prices (average LME of USD 2,549/t in the first six months of fiscal 2020 and USD 2743/t in fiscal 2019 vs USD 3,057/t in fiscal 2018), flat volume (936 kt in fiscal 2019 vs 947 kt in fiscal 2018) and higher cost for underground mining compared to open pit mining, have led to a slight decline in operating profit (EBITDA at Rs 10,749 crore fiscal 2019 versus Rs 12,459 crore in the previous fiscal), and the trend has continued into the first six months of fiscal 2020. However, ramp-up in volume from underground mines, along with better cost efficiency, aided by commission of shaft at Sindesar-Khurd (SK) mine and higher coal linkages, should ensure healthy cash accrual in the second half of fiscal 2020 and thereon.
 
* Strong financial risk profile, driven by robust liquidity and a conservative capital structure: Financial risk profile is marked by a large networth, strong liquid surplus, and absence of long-term debt. Cash and cash equivalents stood at Rs 19,655 crore as of September 30, 2019. However, dividends are generally high in order to support debt at Vedanta Resources Ltd (VRL, ultimate parent company of HZL), and include dividend distribution tax. Dividend of over Rs 14,000 crore each was declared in fiscals 2016 and 2017, and over Rs 10,000 crore in fiscal 2019. Despite the ongoing capital expenditure plan and high dividend pay-out, financial metrics should remain strong, backed by healthy profitability.
 
Weaknesses
* Exposure to cyclicality in the galvanised steel sector: Demand for zinc is closely linked to the galvanised steel industry, which consumes around 70% of the zinc produced in India. The steel industry depends on growth of end-user industries, such as automotive, consumer durables, batteries, home appliances, construction, and infrastructure. A downturn in any of these industries will reduce demand for galvanised steel. This was witnessed over the first six months of fiscal 2020, and prompted HZL to increase exports, which are less profitable. Zinc also faces competition from substitutes like aluminium and other alloys for galvanised steel. Further, exposure to LME zinc and lead prices can lead to volatility in EBITDA.
 
* Exposure to regulations and concentration risk: HZL faces high concentration risk in its business profile, as over 75% of revenue and profitability comes from the zinc-lead business. The company also faces regulatory risk as the entire business (all mines) is concentrated within Rajasthan. Royalty cost per tonne of mined metal has increased by more than 145% during the past six years (Rs 11,460/t in fiscal 2013, to Rs 28,077/t in fiscal 2019).
Liquidity Superior

Liquidity remains superior, as reflected in HZL's cash & liquid investment balances of over Rs 19,600 crore, against no outstanding debt as on September 30, 2019. Although expectation of continued assistance towards VRL's debt obligation would lead to significant dividend cash outflow, overall liquidity position will remain strong, given the robust cash accrual.

Outlook: Stable

CRISIL believes HZL will maintain its favourable capital structure and strong liquidity over the medium term, driven by its leadership position in the domestic market, high cash flows from the core business, and efficient and integrated operations.

Rating sensitivity factors
Downward factors
* Sustained negative free cash flow, leading to a net debt position.
* Significant increase in cost of production, including royalty pay-out, lowering profitability and adversely impacting the business profile.

About the Company

HZL was incorporated in 1966, as a public sector company. In fiscal 2003, GoI divested 26% of its equity in HZL to Sterlite Industries Ltd (Sterlite Industries), which later made an open offer for a further 20%. In fiscal 2004, Sterlite Industries acquired an additional 18.92% by exercising an option granted by GoI to increase the stake to 64.9%. After the restructuring of the Vedanta group in India, HZL became a 64.9% subsidiary of Vedanta Ltd (rated 'CRISIL AA/Stable/CRISIL A1+'). The Udaipur (Rajasthan)-based company has zinc and lead mines at Rampura Agucha, Sindesar Khurd, Rajpura Dariba, Zawar and Kayad; primary smelter operations at Chanderiya, Dariba and Debari, all in the state of Rajasthan; and finished product facilities in the state of Uttarakhand.

In first six months of fiscal 2020, HZL reported revenue of Rs 9,498 crore and net profit of Rs 3,846 crore as against Rs 10,087 crore and Rs 3,733 crore, respectively, reported for the corresponding period in the previous fiscal.

Key Financial Indicators
Particulars Unit 2019 2018
Revenue Rs Cr. 21,187 22,131
Profit After Tax (PAT) Rs Cr. 7,956 9,276
PAT Margin % 37.6% 41.9%
Adjusted Debt/Adjusted Networth Times 0.08 NA
Interest coverage Times 124.1 46.8

Any other information: Not applicable

Note on complexity levels of the rated instrument:
CRISIL complexity levels are assigned to various types of financial instruments. The CRISIL complexity levels are available on www.crisil.com/complexity-levels. Users are advised to refer to the CRISIL complexity levels for instruments that they consider for investment. Users may also call the Customer Service Helpdesk with queries on specific instruments.
Annexure - Details of Instrument(s)
ISIN Name of Instrument Date of Allotment Coupon Rate (%) Maturity Date Issue Size (Rs Crore) Rating Assigned with Outlook
NA Commercial Paper NA NA 7-365 days 7500 CRISIL A1+
NA Fund Based Facilities NA NA NA 450 CRISIL AAA/Stable
NA Letter of Credit NA NA NA 1000 CRISIL A1+
NA Bill Discounting NA NA NA 150 CRISIL AAA/Stable
NA Overdraft NA NA NA 650 CRISIL AAA/Stable
NA Proposed Working Capital Facility NA NA NA 200 CRISIL A1+
 
Annexure - Rating History for last 3 Years
  Current 2020 (History) 2019  2018  2017  Start of 2017
Instrument Type Outstanding Amount Rating Date Rating Date Rating Date Rating Date Rating Rating
Commercial Paper  ST  7500.00  CRISIL A1+      22-02-19  CRISIL A1+  24-10-18  CRISIL A1+  15-09-17  CRISIL A1+  CRISIL A1+ 
                23-03-18  CRISIL A1+  28-04-17  CRISIL A1+   
                12-03-18  CRISIL A1+  21-03-17  CRISIL A1+   
                    28-02-17  CRISIL A1+   
Short Term Debt  ST    --    --    --    --  15-09-17  Withdrawal  CRISIL A1+ 
                    28-04-17  CRISIL A1+   
                    21-03-17  CRISIL A1+   
                    28-02-17  CRISIL A1+   
Fund-based Bank Facilities  LT/ST  1450.00  CRISIL AAA/Stable/ CRISIL A1+      22-02-19  CRISIL AAA/Stable/ CRISIL A1+  24-10-18  CRISIL AAA/Stable/ CRISIL A1+  15-09-17  CRISIL AAA/Stable/ CRISIL A1+  CRISIL AAA/Stable/ CRISIL A1+ 
                23-03-18  CRISIL AAA/Stable/ CRISIL A1+  28-04-17  CRISIL AAA/Stable/ CRISIL A1+   
                12-03-18  CRISIL AAA/Stable/ CRISIL A1+  21-03-17  CRISIL AAA/Stable/ CRISIL A1+   
                    28-02-17  CRISIL AAA/Stable/ CRISIL A1+   
Non Fund-based Bank Facilities  LT/ST  1000.00  CRISIL A1+      22-02-19  CRISIL A1+  24-10-18  CRISIL A1+  15-09-17  CRISIL AAA/Stable/ CRISIL A1+  CRISIL AAA/Stable/ CRISIL A1+ 
                23-03-18  CRISIL A1+  28-04-17  CRISIL AAA/Stable/ CRISIL A1+   
                12-03-18  CRISIL AAA/Stable/ CRISIL A1+  21-03-17  CRISIL AAA/Stable/ CRISIL A1+   
                    28-02-17  CRISIL AAA/Stable/ CRISIL A1+   
All amounts are in Rs.Cr.
Annexure - Details of various bank facilities
Current facilities Previous facilities
Facility Amount (Rs.Crore) Rating Facility Amount (Rs.Crore) Rating
Bill Discounting 150 CRISIL AAA/Stable Bill Discounting 150 CRISIL AAA/Stable
Fund-Based Facilities 450 CRISIL AAA/Stable Fund-Based Facilities 450 CRISIL AAA/Stable
Letter of Credit 1000 CRISIL A1+ Letter of Credit 1000 CRISIL A1+
Overdraft 650 CRISIL AAA/Stable Overdraft 650 CRISIL AAA/Stable
Proposed Working Capital Facility 200 CRISIL A1+ Proposed Working Capital Facility 200 CRISIL A1+
Total 2450 -- Total 2450 --
Links to related criteria
CRISILs Approach to Financial Ratios
CRISILs Bank Loan Ratings - process, scale and default recognition
Rating criteria for manufaturing and service sector companies
Rating Criteria for Mining Industry
CRISILs Criteria for rating short term debt

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