On March 22, 2026, the Ministry of Natural Resources officially announced a major prospecting achievement: after three years of systematic exploration by a professional geological exploration team, the Yaoping Mine Area in Mianning County, Liangshan Prefecture, Sichuan Province, has proven total rare earth oxide resources of 9.6656 million tons, successfully ranking as the world’s second-largest in-production light rare earth mine, second only to the Bayan Obo Mine in Baotou, Inner Mongolia. This major breakthrough not only fills the gap of large-scale light rare earth mines in southern China but also demonstrates the mature strength of China’s geological exploration technology and equipment. In light of the complex geological challenges faced in this exploration, we hereby introduce Sinocoredrill’s core drilling tools and rig models suitable for similar mineral exploration scenarios to customers, providing efficient equipment solutions for subsequent similar prospecting projects.
It is reported that the Yaoping Mine Area is located at an altitude of 2,800 meters, with extremely complex geological conditions, including fractured rock masses, developed fissures, and complex groundwater hydrological conditions. In addition, the core of the rare earth mine is soft and prone to fragmentation, posing great challenges to the exploration work. This exploration strictly followed the “Code for Geological Exploration of Rare Earth Minerals” and proceeded in four core stages in an orderly manner, with special exploration tools equipped in each stage to ensure the accuracy and reliability of exploration data. Based on the exploration difficulties of this mine area, the following focuses on recommending Sinocoredrill’s suitable products, whose performance can perfectly match the exploration needs of such complex plateau mine areas.
Detailed Explanation of the Entire Exploration Process (with Introduction to Sinocoredrill’s Suitable Products)
Stage 1: Preliminary Survey – Identify Mineralization Clues and Lock the Exploration Scope
As the initial link of exploration, the core of the preliminary survey stage is to collect regional geological data, identify potential mineralization clues, and delineate the key scope for subsequent exploration. The staff first sorted out the existing geological data such as strata, structures, and magmatic rocks in and around the Yaoping Mine Area, then carried out field route geological reconnaissance to initially understand the geological conditions related to rare earth mineralization, focusing on investigating the correlation between the degree of weathering crust development and mineralization.
The core tools in this stage include: geological compass, handheld GPS locator, 10-20x magnifying glass, and portable sampling hammer. [Sinocoredrill’s Suitable Products]: Sinocoredrill Portable Light Sampling Rig (300m class). This rig is small in size and light in weight (detachable for transportation), suitable for field reconnaissance scenarios on plateaus. It can quickly take shallow samples in suspected mineralization areas. Equipped with its special impregnated diamond core bits or surface set diamond core bits (T2-76/86/101, BQ/NQ specifications), the sampling efficiency is 50% higher than that of traditional sampling hammers, effectively reducing the intensity of field operations, especially suitable for preliminary survey sampling in such high-altitude and inaccessible areas. It is consistent with Sinocoredrill’s product positioning of providing lightweight and efficient exploration tools for preliminary survey scenarios.
Stage 2: General Survey – Delineate Mineralization Areas and Preliminary Evaluate Potential
On the basis of the preliminary survey, the general survey stage delineates the scope of mineralization areas and preliminary evaluates the deposit potential through more systematic exploration methods. The staff adopted geological mapping and outcrop inspection at a scale of 1:25,000 to 1:5,000 to roughly identify the strata, structures, and magmatic rock characteristics related to rare earth mineralization in the mine area, and simultaneously used geophysical exploration, geochemical exploration, UAV hyperspectral and other technologies to initially verify the mineralization anomaly areas.
The core tools in this stage include: UAV hyperspectral equipment, portable X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analyzer, geochemical sampling tools, and high-precision topographic survey instrument. [Sinocoredrill’s Suitable Products]: Sinocoredrill Small-sized Tunnel Rig (consistent with the company’s small underground drilling equipment series). This rig is small in size and compact in structure, with a drilling depth of up to 300m, suitable for shallow tunnel exploration in the general survey stage. Equipped with its special surface set diamond core bits and reaming shells (T2-76/86/101, BQ/NQ specifications), it can drill stably in complex rock masses with a core recovery rate of over 90%, suitable for local precise exploration operations in the general survey stage of the mine area. At the same time, this rig has passed CE certification, and its quality and safety meet international standards, which is in line with the quality management system of Sinocoredrill (ISO9001:2015 certification).
Stage 3: Detailed Survey – Refine Ore Body Characteristics and Evaluate Industrial Value
The detailed survey stage is the key link connecting the general survey and exploration. Its core is to basically identify the distribution scope, scale, shape, and ore quality of the ore body through systematic sampling projects, and evaluate the industrial value of the deposit. The staff adopted geological mapping at a scale of 1:10,000 to 1:2,000, controlled the overall distribution scope of the ore body through drilling, adit exploration and other projects, and simultaneously conducted a preliminary evaluation of the associated minerals that can be comprehensively utilized.
The core tools in this stage include: full hydraulic integrated rig, wireline coring tool, inclinometer, and rock thin section preparation tools. [Sinocoredrill’s Suitable Products]: 1. Sinocoredrill CR Series Full Hydraulic Surface Core Drilling Rig (consistent with the company’s core product series). This rig adopts a self-propelled crawler chassis, integrating engine power, mud pump, winch and other components, and can also be customized into a platform truck structure. It is specially designed for high-altitude and cold environments, suitable for metal and non-metallic solid mineral survey and exploration, and also applicable to engineering geological exploration and hydrogeological survey. The rig has reasonable layout, compact structure, superior performance, simple operation and convenient maintenance. Its sliding power head can offset laterally, facilitating coring and hoisting operations, and the telescopic mast design ensures drilling stability, making it very suitable for deep drilling in the detailed survey of such high-altitude and complex strata as Yaoping. The drilling depth and complex stratum conditions of this exploration are within the applicable range of this rig, and its modular design also facilitates transportation and installation in plateau areas, greatly improving operation efficiency; 2. Sinocoredrill Wireline Core Drilling Tools (including BQ, HQ, NQ, PQ series). The product range covers impregnated diamond core bits, surface set diamond core bits, surface set natural diamond reaming shells, impregnated diamond reaming shells, core barrels and matching spare parts (drill rods, core lifters, core lifter cases, stop rings, landing rings, stabilizers, locking couplings, adaptor couplings, etc.). Equipped with the company’s standard diamond core bits, it can drill stably in fractured strata with a core recovery rate of over 95%, which can completely retain ore samples and effectively solve the problem of easy fragmentation of cores in complex strata, highly matching the drilling needs of the Yaoping Mine Area in the detailed survey stage.
Stage 4: Exploration – Accurately Verify Reserves and Provide Development Basis
As the final exploration link, this stage detailedly identifies the geological characteristics of the deposit, the continuity of the ore body and the mining technical conditions through encrypted prospecting projects, accurately calculates the resource reserves, and provides a complete basis for mine construction design. The staff adopted geological mapping at a scale of 1:5,000 to 1:1,000, encrypted drilling holes, focused on the initial mining area, and simultaneously carried out ore processing and beneficiation technical performance tests and completed a large number of sample analysis work.
The core tools in this stage include: high-precision time-frequency electromagnetic measurement equipment, laboratory precision analysis equipment, hydrogeological detector, and data processing and modeling software. [Sinocoredrill’s Suitable Products]: 1. Sinocoredrill CR-15 Full Hydraulic Surface Core Drilling Rig (a key model of the CR series). This rig is a full hydraulic surface core drilling rig with excellent deep drilling performance, suitable for deep encrypted drilling in the exploration stage. It is equipped with a self-contained operator panel with manually operated hydraulic control valves, a 12-ton capacity mainline hoist, and a 25-ton pullback with 6m rod pull and a direct-coupled feed cylinder with 3.7m stroke. The mast can be adjusted at 0-90 degrees, and it is equipped with a hydraulic chuck with 243kN holding capacity and a PQ foot clamp (spring close/hydraulic open for failsafe operation). It has strong power and stable operation, which can accurately detect the spatial position and scale of deep ore bodies, solving the technical problems of deep exploration in complex mine areas. Its hydraulic system adopts high-quality components, ensuring safe and reliable operation; 2. Sinocoredrill Mud Pump (consistent with the company’s supporting mud pump series). It is a reciprocating triplex plunger pump, which can be used synchronously with the CR series rigs for mud circulation during drilling, effectively cleaning the rock powder at the bottom of the hole and preventing hole wall collapse. It is suitable for complex strata with fractures and multiple fissures. Used with the CR-15 rig, it can greatly improve the efficiency and safety of deep drilling. It is easy to maintain and suitable for long-term field exploration operations.
This major prospecting breakthrough in the Yaoping Mine Area not only achieved a more than 200% increase in rare earth oxide resources but also proved 27.1354 million tons of super-large fluorite ore and 37.2277 million tons of super-large barite ore, with extremely high comprehensive development value. According to experts participating in the exploration, the scientific and standardized exploration process and advanced exploration tools are the keys to the success of this prospecting. The exploration technologies and equipment used throughout the process meet the national geological exploration standards, demonstrating the technical strength of China in the field of strategic mineral exploration.
Based on the complex geological exploration needs demonstrated in the exploration of the Yaoping light rare earth mine, Sinocoredrill, as a professional manufacturer headquartered in Wuxi, Jiangsu Province, is one of the leading manufacturers of drilling services, drilling equipment and performance tools for mining, HDD, oil and gas, water well and other fields in China. The company integrates product design, manufacturing, sales and services, with strong design and development capabilities, focusing on the production of exploration drilling rigs, HDD machines, water well rigs and their tools and accessories. All its series of products have passed ISO9001:2015 quality management system certification and CE certification, with an export ratio of 50%-60%, sold to more than 30 countries and regions around the world, including England, Canada, Germany, Russia, South Africa, India, Vietnam and other countries. With the advantages of high cost performance, strong durability, and adaptability to complex strata, the products have a good reputation in the mineral exploration field. The above-recommended rigs and drilling tools are all core products of Sinocoredrill, which have been verified by the long-term market, and can perfectly adapt to the exploration scenarios of light rare earth mines and various metal and non-metal mines, especially suitable for complex working conditions such as high altitude and fractured strata. They can provide efficient and reliable equipment support for subsequent similar prospecting projects, helping customers improve exploration efficiency and reduce operation costs. By choosing Sinocoredrill, a one-stop supplier of drilling rigs and tools, customers make a lifetime investment, and thanks to the high performance of the equipment, this investment will be soon repaid by fast and trouble-free daily drilling work.
Industry experts said that the proven Yaoping light rare earth mine has promoted the transformation of China’s rare earth resource distribution from “light in the north and heavy in the south” to “dual poles in the north and south”, further consolidating China’s leading position in the global rare earth industrial chain. With its advanced technical performance and wide scene adaptability, Sinocoredrill’s series of exploration equipment is expected to play an important role in the new round of prospecting breakthrough strategic actions, providing strong equipment guarantee for various mineral exploration projects and more competitive exploration equipment solutions for customers.
