Fresh drilling at the Bhalukona critical minerals prospect in Mahasamund district has significantly expanded the scale of a nickel-copper-platinum group elements (PGE) discovery, potentially positioning Chhattisgarh at the centre of India’s emerging critical minerals strategy amid an intensifying global race for resource security. Speaking exclusively to ‘The Hitavada’ over telephone from Bengaluru on Monday noon, Deccan Gold Mines Limited (DGML) Managing Director Dr Hanuma Prasad Modali said the latest results had substantially strengthened confidence in the scale, continuity and commercial potential of the Bhalukona mineralised system. Deccan Gold Mines Limited (DGML) , India’s only listed gold and critical minerals mining company, believes the discovery could eventually evolve into the country’s first Nickel-Copper-PGE mining project. The development traces its origin to April 1, 2025, when Deccan Gold Mines Limited (DGML) secured a 30 sq km Composite Licence for the Bhalukona-Jamnidih block in Basna Tehsil of Mahasamund district. The licence was among the first critical minerals licences granted in India following the Centre’s strategic push to accelerate domestic exploration of minerals considered vital for clean-energy technologies, electric mobility, advanced manufacturing and long-term national resource security.

 

The latest drilling programme has confirmed a broad corridor of potentially economic nickel, copper and palladium mineralisation with localised platinum occurrences extending across a strike length of approximately 430 metres and to depths exceeding 200 metres. Importantly, the mineralised corridor remains open, with ongoing drilling indicating possible continuation across a much larger target zone extending up to 1.3 kilometres. The results build upon Deccan Gold Mines Limited’s May 18, 2026 announcement that first confirmed significant nickel-copper-PGE sulphide mineralisation at Bhalukona. Taken together, the drilling outcomes are reinforcing the project’s potential to emerge as one of India’s most significant critical minerals discoveries in recent years. Deccan Gold Mines Limited has completed approximately 1,200 metres of core drilling through nine exploration drill holes spread across the prospective corridor. Assay results from additional drill holes are still awaited. Key intersections reported include 15 metres grading 0.31 per cent Nickel Equivalent (NiEq) in drill hole BJD-02, 36 metres grading 0.23 per cent NiEq in BJD-03 and six metres grading 0.39 per cent NiEq in BJD-04, with high-grade zones returning up to 1.29 per cent NiEq.

 

Microscopic geological studies have confirmed the presence of pentlandite, chalcopyrite and pyrrhotite sulphides, widely regarded as important indicators of potentially significant nickel-copper sulphide systems. The drilling programme has also confirmed widespread sulphide mineralisation containing nickel, copper and platinum group elements, including palladium and platinum. Dr Modali said the discovery had emerged at a pivotal moment when critical minerals were becoming central to economic competitiveness, energy transition and resource security worldwide. He pointed to the growing focus of the Quad nations and the India-US Critical Minerals Partnership as evidence of the strategic importance of securing reliable and diversified mineral supply chains. Appreciating the support extended by the Central and State Governments, local authorities and communities, Dr Modali said Deccan Gold Mines Limited was accelerating exploration activities to define a mineable resource and move towards mining lease applications at the earliest. Low-impact geophysical surveys, soil sampling and target-generation programmes will continue during the monsoon period, while aggressive drilling is scheduled to resume after the rains.