Key Points
- India’s first portable hydrostatic rig can drill to 1,000 metres versus typical 300 to 400 metres
- Vedanta holds 10 critical mineral blocks across gold, copper, nickel, rare earths and other minerals
- Global critical mineral demand projected to triple by 2030 according to IEA estimates
Vedanta Limited has commissioned what it describes as India’s first high-speed hydrostatic portable drilling rig, deploying the equipment at two exploration sites in Chhattisgarh focused on gold and critical minerals including nickel, chromium and platinum group elements.
The rig can drill to depths of 1,000 metres, compared with the typical 300 to 400 metre range of conventional equipment, according to the company. A hydrostatic system uses pressurised fluid to drive the drill, allowing for smoother operation and better control at greater depths than traditional mechanical rigs. The portable design allows the equipment to be moved between sites without disassembly, reducing the time lost in relocating between exploration locations.
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The deployment comes as the company positions itself as a key player in India’s push to reduce dependence on imported critical minerals. Vedanta said it has secured 10 critical mineral blocks through government auctions, covering gold, manganese, copper, nickel-chromium-PGE, tungsten, graphite, vanadium, rare earth elements and potash.
Platinum group elements, or PGE, are a set of six metallic elements used in catalytic converters, electronics and hydrogen fuel cells. Exploration is under way at five of these blocks, the company said.
Critical mineral blocks
The company was recently declared the successful bidder for the Punnam Manganese Block in Andhra Pradesh, according to Vedanta. This would add to its existing portfolio of mineral assets spread across India, South Africa, Namibia, Liberia and Zambia.
Critical minerals have become a strategic priority for governments worldwide as they underpin technologies central to the energy transition. Copper and nickel are essential for electric vehicle batteries and charging infrastructure. Rare earth elements are used in wind turbines and electric motors. Graphite is a key component of lithium-ion battery anodes.
India remains heavily import-dependent for many of these materials despite holding substantial geological reserves. The government estimates suggest close to 80 per cent of India’s mineral resources remain unexplored, though no specific source for this figure was provided by the company.
The International Energy Agency has projected that global critical mineral demand for clean energy technologies will nearly triple by 2030 under its Net Zero Emissions Scenario and quadruple by 2040, reaching close to 40 million tonnes annually. This projection has driven countries including India to seek greater control over critical mineral supply chains rather than depending on single sources.
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Deep-shaft capability
Critical mineral exploration requires deep-shaft mining capabilities, as many deposits lie at depths inaccessible to standard drilling equipment. The new rig addresses this by extending drilling depth while maintaining portability for deployment in remote and difficult terrain.
By the numbers
- 1,000 metres
- maximum drilling depth of new rig
- 10 blocks
- critical mineral blocks held by Vedanta
- 80%
- India’s mineral resources reportedly unexplored
The company said the equipment incorporates advanced safety features, though it did not specify what these entail. The deployment marks what Vedanta described as a significant expansion of its exploration infrastructure, enabling faster access to India’s untapped mineral reserves.
Vedanta’s critical minerals push forms part of what the company calls Vedanta 2.0, a strategy to build a technology-driven business centred on sustainable growth. The company said it plans to expand into new geographies with stable regulatory environments, deepen value-added processing within India and build mining partnerships aligned with environmental, social and governance standards.
Gold exploration at the Chhattisgarh sites targets deposits that could serve medical applications, high-reliability electronics and other strategic industries. The company noted that gold remains vital for these uses beyond its traditional role as a store of value.
The broader push into critical minerals aligns with government policy to develop domestic sources for materials essential to AI infrastructure, data centres, renewable energy, electric mobility, defence, semiconductors and advanced manufacturing. India’s stated goal is to move beyond extraction alone and build capability across exploration, mining, processing, refining, recycling and manufacturing.
Your Questions, Answered
What is a hydrostatic portable drilling rig?
A hydrostatic drilling rig uses pressurised fluid to drive the drill mechanism, allowing smoother operation and better control at greater depths than mechanical rigs. The portable design means it can be moved between exploration sites without disassembly.
Why are critical minerals important for India?
Critical minerals including copper, nickel, rare earth elements and graphite are essential for electric vehicles, renewable energy, semiconductors and defence manufacturing. India remains heavily import-dependent despite holding substantial geological reserves.
How many critical mineral blocks does Vedanta hold?
According to the company, Vedanta has secured 10 critical mineral blocks through government auctions covering gold, manganese, copper, nickel-chromium-PGE, tungsten, graphite, vanadium, rare earth elements and potash.
How deep can the new drilling rig reach?
The new hydrostatic portable rig can drill to depths of 1,000 metres, compared with the typical 300 to 400 metre range of conventional exploration equipment used in India.