Synthesis of Code and Steel: Russia Launches Universal Drill Rig Production in Orenburg

A Turnkey Rig

The ZBO S50 is a multifunctional self-propelled rig built on a KamAZ chassis with a top drive system, designed for autonomous operation over multiple days without interruption. It can drill wells up to 3,000 meters deep through rocks of any complexity. The system is versatile and applicable across uranium, coal, gold, and nickel mining.

Every single part, fixture, and assembly is manufactured at the Orenburg plant. Equally noteworthy is the proprietary software that allows drillers to monitor and control the entire process in real time. Unlike similar complexes, where problems are detected only through observation, the ZBO S50 records the drilling process, enabling detailed analysis.

Online monitoring, telemetry collection, and data analysis elevate exploration drilling from a high-risk activity into a controlled, high-tech process. Long-term autonomous operation greatly improves efficiency and safety by reducing the need for continuous human presence in hazardous zones.

Made in Orenburg

The rig took three years to develop. Currently, the plant produces two units annually, using robotic manipulators and modern CNC machinery to ensure world-class quality standards.

It is encouraging that for the first time in Russia, such a rig has entered production. Until now, we have relied on Western models and equipment, which created challenges with fleet renewal and maintenance. I look forward to long-term cooperation under the framework of import substitution and digitalization, which the plant is now driving

Gleb Nosyrev

General Director of Rusburmash (Rosatom’s mining division)

Production rates are expected to accelerate and volumes to multiply. The ambition is clear: to enter the global market. Here, Rosatom’s role as a key partner and stable customer is vital. This collaboration began just a few months ago at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, facilitated by Russia’s Ministry of Industry and Trade.

In 2023, the region also approved its first industrial mortgage, granting the plant a preferential loan of 70 million rubles (about $820,000) to modernize three production facilities totaling 5,000 square meters.

The partnership now focuses on automating and robotizing drill rigs and developing a ‘Smart Test Site,’ a digital platform to optimize drilling processes.

Big Plans

Until recently, Russia’s mining sector depended on imported equipment in some segments by as much as 70–80%. The ZBO S50 project aims to change that. A five-year contract with Rosatom-Nedra and the Ministry of Industry and Trade, which includes creating a Smart Test Site and advancing robotization, highlights the state-level importance of such competencies.

Exports of these rigs to CIS and Central Asian countries with similar geology and climates will open a new chapter in Russia’s non-resource exports. Instead of hydrocarbons, the country will be selling high-tech solutions—fully in line with national objectives for international cooperation.

The ZBO S50 improves exploration accuracy and reduces operational risks. After 2022, many foreign suppliers halted service and spare parts delivery in Russia, creating major risks for production continuity. A fully domestic solution, from hardware to software, eliminates these vulnerabilities and restores control over strategic operations.