Hindustan Power has marked its entry into India’s critical minerals sector after one of its group firms secured a Letter of Intent (LoI) for the exploration of the Padhar Platinum Group Elements (PGE) block in Madhya Pradesh. The award follows a forward e-auction conducted by the Ministry of Mines, where the company emerged as the preferred bidder.
The Padhar block, spanning approximately 200 sq. km, has been identified as a prospective zone for platinum group elements (PGEs), including platinum, palladium, and rhodium, along with zinc deposits. These minerals are considered essential for advanced industrial applications and emerging clean energy technologies.
Commenting on the development, Ratul Puri, Chairman of Hindustan Power, stated that the acquisition represents a strategic step toward strengthening India’s resource resilience. He highlighted the growing importance of PGEs in next-generation technologies such as clean hydrogen production, fuel cells, catalytic systems, and advanced electronics.
He further emphasized that the move aligns with the company’s long-term vision of diversifying beyond its core energy business into high-impact sectors that will shape the future industrial landscape. The exploration initiative is expected to contribute to building a reliable domestic resource base while supporting India’s priorities of supply chain security and energy leadership.
Platinum group elements play a crucial role in hydrogen fuel cells, emission control systems, and electrolyzers used in green hydrogen production. Zinc, also present in the block, is widely utilized in galvanization, battery technologies, and corrosion-resistant infrastructure for renewable energy systems.
India has been actively prioritizing the development of critical mineral resources to reduce import dependency and strengthen domestic manufacturing capabilities in clean energy and advanced technologies.
In parallel, Hindustan Power continues to expand its footprint across conventional and renewable energy segments. The company is currently developing high-grade coal mines in Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand, while also accelerating its clean energy portfolio. This includes a recently secured 435 MWp solar project in Uttar Pradesh and multiple grid-scale solar and battery storage projects awarded in 2025.
The company’s foray into critical minerals, alongside its ongoing investments in conventional and renewable energy, reflects its evolving role in India’s energy ecosystem, supporting both resource security and the country’s clean energy transition ambitions.
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