Operational Performance - Exploration
Reserves that power growth
We are driving strategic efforts in exploration to deliver measurable breakthroughs. With a dedicated entity leading the exploration efforts, focus on upskilling team, and deployment of best-in-class technology, we are ramping up capabilities to delineate and expand Mineral Resources, and upgrade Ore Reserves within our licensed areas. In FY2025, we successfully replenished mined metal for enhanced Ore Reserves, securing a sustained mine life of over 25 years at the current rate of metal production.
KEY OPERATIONAL MILESTONES, FY2025
471.70 km
Drilling
83.10%
Brownfield exploration success rate
10.89 Mnt
Ore added
EXPLORATION EXCELLENCE AT HINDUSTAN ZINC
Dedicated leadership for strategic focus
Our wholly-owned subsidiary Hindmetal Exploration Services Private Limited (HESPL) leads our exploration efforts, aligned with the nation’s vision to accelerate the exploration of critical and strategic minerals across India. Our focus remains on expanding mineral discoveries nationwide to enhance R&R, thereby unlocking long-term growth opportunities.
FY2025 was a successful year for HESPL, as it got recognised by the Government of India as a Category-A Exploration Agency, accredited by the National Accreditation Board for Education and Training (NABET) under the QCI-NABET Scheme for Accreditation of Exploration Agencies in the Mineral Sector. It secured a new composite licence of Ballepyllum Tungsten Block in Andhra Pradesh, which is a critical and strategic mineral. In May 2025, it has further secured Jhandawali-Satipura Potash Block in Rajasthan and Nawatola-Laband Rare Earth Elements Block in Uttar Pradesh.
Skilled teams driving outcomes
Our exploration team is young, dynamic, and equipped with a diverse skill set.
The team, comprising geologists, geophysicists, and data analysts, excels in designing exploration programmes and delivering exceptional on-ground execution. By driving innovation, embracing cutting-edge technology and collaborating with external service providers and consultants, they accelerate our mineral discovery efforts. Their focus on portfolio diversification through multi-commodity operations is vital in driving strategic growth.
Technology-driven exploration edge
HESPL is committed to enhancing discovery through innovation and using various technology-driven exploration initiatives, which include:
- Advanced geological mapping & geophysics by using drone-based aerial surveys with LiDAR, squid and high-resolution imagery. Also leveraging hyperspectral imaging and remote sensing for alteration mapping and lithological discrimination
- AI & Machine Learning applications in exploration targeting
- Integrated Geodata Platforms by introducing cloud-based Geographic Information System (GIS) and 3D modelling platforms such as ARC GIS web portal, Leapfrog, and Seequent Central
- Next-gen drilling & geophysical logging by using high-speed rigs with multi-leg drilling and downhole Borehole Electromagnetic (BHEM), Acoustic/Optical Televiewer (ATV/OTV), and wireline geophysical logging for structural control and physical properties
- Data analytics & decision support by implementing dashboards and business intelligence (BI) tools for real-time tracking of exploration projects, scenario-based resource modelling with dynamic cut-off grades, and enhanced Quality Assurance/Quality Control (QA/QC) systems for data reliability and automated audit trails through acQuire DBMS
DEEPENING EXPLORATION DEPTH AND CAPABILITY
In FY2025, we emphasised upskilling our team to ensure they are fully geared to adopt the numerous technology-driven initiatives and enhance exploration effectiveness.
Shallow angle (<45°) drilling at surface
Our exploration team continued to use this state-of-the-art drilling technology and innovation at Zawar to explore the lead-zinc-rich ore body at a shallow surface. This significantly helped develop their understanding of shallow depth ore body and host package knowledge.
Team Upskilling
We engaged our ex-veterans to provide strategic guidance on exploration project challenges. This included conducting specialised training sessions, mentoring and technical discussions to deepen understanding of structural controls on mineralisation, aiming to help the team identify new potential target areas.
A well-defined exploration roadmap was established to identify new prospective targets and strategically design drill holes to evaluate the presence and continuity of mineralisation across our entire leasehold area. Reconnaissance traverses were completed across Zawarmala, Balaria (Purvanchal), and Sindesar Khurd to pinpoint emerging targets and to enhance the structural interpretation skills of our young geoscientists for a deeper understanding of localised structural controls of mineralisation.
Additionally, we supported the team in developing their software skills in Datamine, Leapfrog and Quality Assurance/Quality Control.
EXPLORATION IN FY2025
In FY2025, our brownfield exploration yielded a success rate of 83.10%, adding 10.89 Mnt ore with a contained metal of 0.71 Mnt at a gross level. This enhances opportunities for sustained mine life and production growth. We also crossed the milestone of 13.1 Mnt of metal reserves for the first time since underground transition, a 3x growth compared to FY2020 on a net of production basis.
We executed c.471.70 km of drilling across all sites, including c.161.60 km of surface and c.310.20 km of underground drilling. This enhanced mineral resources and supported upgradation of resources to reserves, increasing our R&R base to sustain 25 years of mine life. We remain focused on increasing the R&R base further with all existing deposits open and the identification of new targets within mining leases.
RESERVES AND RESOURCES (R&R) STATUS
The Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves for Hindustan Zinc as of March 31, 2025, was audited by SRK Consulting (UK) Limited (“SRK”). Below are the Mineral Resource and Ore Reserve statements reported in accordance with the Australasian Code for the Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves, the JORC Code, 2012 Edition (“JORC”).
Ore Reserves
Estimated to be 189.1 Mnt of material, grading 5.5% Zn, 1.5% Pb and 50g/t Ag, which contains 10.3 Mnt Zn, 2.7 Mnt Pb and 304.8 Moz Ag.
Mineral Resources
Estimated to be 264.1 Mnt of material, grading 4.4% Zn, 1.9% Pb and 59 g/t Ag, which contains 11.5 Mnt Zn, 5.0 Mnt Pb and 503.5 Moz Ag. At current mining rates, the R&R underpins metal production for more than 25 years.
Ore Reserves and Mineral Resources (R&R), as of March 31, 2025
(based on Annual R&R audit by SRK (UK))| Our Assets | Total Reserves | Measured & Indicated Resources | Inferred Resources | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tonnage (Mnt) |
Zn% | Pb% | Ag (g/t) |
Metal (Mnt) |
Tonnage (Mnt) |
Zn% | Pb% | Ag (g/t) |
Metal (Mnt) |
Tonnage (Mnt) |
Zn% | Pb% | Ag (g/t) |
Metal (Mnt) |
|
| Rampura Agucha | 46.8 | 10.7 | 1.1 | 37 | 5.5 | 10.7 | 14.2 | 2.3 | 66 | 1.8 | 10.1 | 0.1 | 5.5 | 147 | 0.6 |
| Sindesar Khurd | 36.8 | 3.1 | 1.9 | 92 | 1.8 | 53.4 | 3.6 | 1.7 | 80 | 2.8 | 8.1 | 3.1 | 1.4 | 55 | 0.4 |
| Rajpura Dariba | 51.3 | 5.3 | 1.8 | 62 | 3.6 | 3.9 | 6.4 | 1.8 | 67 | 0.3 | 35.0 | 6.3 | 1.8 | 94 | 2.8 |
| Zawar | 51.5 | 2.6 | 1.2 | 21 | 1.9 | 36.8 | 3.3 | 1.8 | 29 | 1.9 | 59.6 | 3.9 | 2.1 | 39 | 3.6 |
| Kayad | 1.3 | 5.2 | 0.8 | 13 | 0.1 | 4.2 | 7.6 | 1.0 | 18 | 0.4 | 2.6 | 5.2 | 0.3 | 9 | 0.1 |
| Bamnia Kalan | 1.5 | 3.6 | 0.5 | 32 | 0.1 | 19.4 | 3.2 | 1.1 | 40 | 0.8 | 20.1 | 3.5 | 1.4 | 46 | 1.0 |
| Total | 189.1 | 5.5 | 1.5 | 50 | 13.1 | 128.5 | 4.6 | 1.7 | 56 | 8.0 | 135.6 | 4.1 | 2.1 | 63 | 8.5 |
Note: Mineral resources reported exclusive of ore reserves, reported at variable cut-off grade per mineral asset