Passionate about mineral exploration, Dr Kavita Bhardwaj brings 17 years of experience in geology, leading Brownfield and Greenfield projects, refining resource estimation at Hindustan Zinc Limited and discovering 5.5 million tons of new ore at Kayad. Now, as Interim Head of Vedanta Exploration-India, she is securing Copper and Aluminum prospects to develop future mines and drive India’s resource self-sufficiency.
With 17.5 years of experience in geology and exploration, Dr Kavita Bhardwaj is the Deputy CEO of Hindmetal Exploration which is a subsidiary of Hindustan Zinc Limited. She has expertise in greenfield and brownfield exploration projects, resource estimation, R&R certification (JORC), business development, and techno-commercial evaluation of multi-commodity mineral blocks across India and overseas. She has also worked in auction, bidding, and government liaison for mineral block grants.
Kavita holds a M.Sc. in Geology (2007) and an M.Sc. Tech in Applied Geology (2008) and has completed her PhD focussing on specialising in Litho-structural control of base metals and ferrous metals mineralization from Mohanlal Sukhadia University.
She began her journey of Deputy CEO through Vedanta’s talent search initiative, V-Desire 2.0. This initiative highlights the organisation’s commitment of nurturing leadership talent. Kavita went through rigorous leadership assessments for the last eight years by the agencies like KPMG, Korn Ferry and CII and has also been recognised as a high potential leader through multiple Vedanta leadership programs, including V-Lead, V-Deliver, CEO V-Build, Management Act-Up, Technical Act-Up and the Chairman’s Growth Workshops.
Hindmetal exploration services aim to identify, discover, assess and develop mineral resources efficiently and comprehensively using cutting edge geological and geophysical technologies ensuring compliance with regulatory standards. As Deputy CEO, Kavita’s primary focus is to drive sustainable growth by acquiring high potential blocks of critical and strategic minerals, enhancing technological integration, strengthening R&D collaborations for efficient mineral processing, expanding through strategic partnerships and joint ventures and leading regulatory and ESG initiatives.
For Kavita, her academic foundation provided her with a strong technical understanding of mineral exploration, resource evaluation and geological modelling, which became the cornerstone of her career. Having 17.5 years of professional experience in the field of geology and mineral Exploration, her career started with Hindustan Zinc Limited as a Project Geologist. Over the years, she expanded her expertise by working on some of the most challenging and rewarding mineral exploration projects in India. She says, “Hindustan Zinc has played a pivotal role in my career progression, offering an environment that improves technical excellence, leadership development, and innovation in the mining sector”. Through Vedanta’s structured leadership programs and talent development initiatives, she was able to grow beyond technical roles into strategic leadership positions, ultimately culminating in her role as Deputy CEO at Hindmetal Exploration Services, she further adds.
Visit to Zawar Mine Became Inspiration
Kavita’s interest in geology sparked during her time in 12th grade, when she first learned about the subject in depth. However, it was during her undergraduate studies that her passion truly solidified. She believes her visit to the Zawar underground mine was a transformative experience. She remembers, “it was unlike anything I had seen before and from that moment, I knew I wanted to build a career in geology”.
According to Kavita, geology is more than just the study of rocks, it is the foundation of mining, energy, infrastructure and environmental sustainability. Throughout her academic and professional journey, she has travelled across half of India, conducting geological fieldwork and exploring mines of diverse commodities. This hands-on exposure has deepened my understanding of the field and also strengthened my strategic leadership approach in the mining and manufacturing industry.
Hindustan Zinc provided her with vast opportunities to expand my expertise and take on leadership roles in exploration. She believes that the company’s focus on technological advancements, sustainable mining and talent development has empowered professionals like her to push boundaries and contribute to India’s resource security.
She adds, “my journey from a young geologist to a leadership position has been shaped by a culture of innovation, mentorship, and strategic growth, values that Hindustan Zinc actively promotes”.
At my core, I am a mineral explorer, and She believes that Hindmetal Exploration Services is the perfect place to apply her expertise and continuously evolve as a geologist, as at core she is a mineral explorer. The company is dedicated exclusively to exploration, creating an ideal environment for professionals who are passionate about discovering and unlocking new mineral resources.
From the very beginning, Kavita’s vision was to contribute to the exploration initiatives, work across multiple commodities and connect with the latest technologies and global best practices in mineral exploration.
For her, what sets Hindmetal Exploration Services apart is its commitment to innovation, technology-driven exploration, and professional growth. It provides a dynamic platform for leadership and technical development, where employees are encouraged to take on challenging roles, exploring their full potential and leading transformative projects which is a truly unique approach in the industry.
She also said that Hindustan Zinc and Vedanta have played an important role in shaping this ecosystem, ensuring that professionals have access to cutting-edge exploration technologies, strategic growth opportunities and a forward-thinking leadership framework. She says, “Being part of this journey allows me to push boundaries, drive impactful discoveries and contribute to India’s mineral security and self-reliance”.
From Geologist to Deputy CEO
Kavita acknowledges that Hindustan Zinc and Vedanta have played a role in her professional growth by providing mentorship, leadership development programs, and technical training opportunities. She explains, “I have benefited from a range of initiatives such as V-Lead, She-Lead, Gallup Training, Digital Leadership, the Mentor-Mentee Program, and personal coaching, all of which have helped me refine my leadership and technical skills.”
Beyond formal training, she was fortunate to receive mentorship from senior leaders, reporting managers and colleagues who played a significant role in shaping her expertise and leadership approach. She asserts, “Hindustan Zinc’s strong mentorship culture encourages continuous learning, strategic guidance and career growth. This commitment to talent development and innovation has shaped my journey from geologist to Deputy CEO of Hindmetal Exploration Services”.
Kavita’s mother is her first role model. She shares, “earlier when there were financial struggles, her mother refused to give up and raised three children as a teacher. She resumed her education, completing two post graduation degrees and BEd”.
In her professional life as well there were many people from whom she got inspiration. Her husband, Dr Dheeraj Ameta, believed in gender equality and had a progressive mindset. Arun Misra, CEO of Hindustan Zinc Limited influenced her with his visionary thinking, strong connection with ground teams and approachable leadership style. Mr. Praveen Sharma has inspired her with his commitment to providing equal opportunities, while Mr. Anupam Kumar has played a crucial role in mentoring and guiding her professional growth.
She believes that India’s mining industry has long been male-dominated, with challenges like traditional mindsets, maternity bias, cultural perceptions, maternity bias, work-life balance challenges, limited mentorship opportunities and underground mining policies that historically restricted women’s participation in on-site roles. However, the landscape is changing with increased focus on diversity and inclusion.
Organizations like Hindustan Zinc are initiating this transformation by offering leadership programs, mentorship and inclusive policies that empower women in technical and operational roles. She says, “While these initiatives are creating greater opportunities for women, it is equally important for women professionals to be bold, dedicated and willing to take on challenges”.
With her experience of 17.5 years in the industry, her inclusion with varied projects marked her achievements. Throughout her career, she led high impact exploration projects, contributing to resource expansion, mineral discoveries, and strategic acquisitions. When she was in Kayad, she discovered three new ore bodies, extending the mine’s life by 6-7 years. As Head of R&R, she also drove the 3D transformation of Zawar Mine, improving resource estimation and efficiency. Later, as Vedanta’s Head of Exploration, she secured critical mineral blocks and India’s first privately granted gold block in Chhattisgarh.
In the long career of Kavita, becoming Head of Exploration at Kayad, where she transformed the mine’s future by discovering three new ore bodies, earning recognition from CEO Arun Misra and a nomination for the Chairman’s Award was one of her precious experiences. Another milestone in her career was in 2022, as Head of Vedanta Exploration, she navigated government liaison for Composite Licenses, achieving Maharashtra’s fastest CL grant despite it being outside her core expertise.
For her, a deeply personal milestone came in 2023 when, just 10 days after childbirth, she resumed work. At a leadership event, Arun Misra called her a “superwoman,” reflecting the immense support from Hindustan Zinc.
Position of Mining Sector in India
India’s manufacturing sector is growing rapidly, driven by initiatives like Make in India and PLI schemes. As the backbone of manufacturing, the mining industry ensures a stable supply of critical minerals, she states. Further she says, “Both the government and industries are advancing sustainability through carbon reduction, renewable energy, and circular economy practices. The future of mining depends on accelerated discoveries, responsible exploration, and low-carbon technologies”.
Kavita’s philosophy revolves around adaptability, long-term thinking and sustainability-driven innovation. Success in geology and manufacturing requires technical expertise, strategic foresight, and data-driven decision making. I prioritise focusing on predictive analytics and technology to optimize exploration, efficiency and sustainability”
She believes that the MMDR Amendment 2023 is a game-changer for India’s mining sector, streamlining approvals, growing private sector participation and promoting sustainable practices. “At Hindmetal Exploration Services, we see this as an opportunity to expand exploration, enhance efficiency and integrate advanced technologies for responsible mining”, she says.
According to Kavita, at Hindustan Zinc, diversity and inclusion are core to their culture, with a 25% diversity rate, well above the industry average. Hindmetal boasts 42% diversity and they remain committed to promoting an inclusive workforce through leadership development and career growth opportunities.
As the woman CEO in India’s geology sector, her journey shows the empowerment and opportunities provided by Hindustan Zinc and Vedanta. Her advice to aspiring women leaders: “never give up, embrace challenges, stay focused and believe in your abilities. The industry needs more women leaders and with the right mindset and support, you can be one of them”.
