India’s energy transition is often associated with the expansion of renewable power, the growing use of electric vehicles, battery storage and the development of green hydrogen. However, there is another part of this transition that receives less attention: the minerals and raw materials needed to make these technologies possible. As countries around the world compete for access to these resources, developing domestic mineral capabilities is becoming an important consideration for India’s energy security and long-term economic growth.
The Padhar Platinum Group Elements (PGE) block in Madhya Pradesh is relevant to this broader effort. A group company of Hindustan Power has been awarded a Letter of Intent for the block, which covers an area of approximately 200 square kilometres. The region is considered prospective for platinum group elements and also contains zinc deposits, making it an area of interest for further exploration.
What makes the Padhar block noteworthy is the potential role of these minerals across different industries. Platinum group elements are used in several technologies linked to the global energy transition, including hydrogen production, fuel cells and catalytic systems. Zinc also serves a range of industrial purposes, with applications in infrastructure, energy systems and battery technologies. As demand for these technologies develops, the materials required to manufacture and support them are becoming increasingly important.
For India, improving access to domestic mineral resources could help reduce dependence on international suppliers and limit the impact of disruptions in global markets. The country continues to rely on imports for several important minerals, while the production of some resources remains concentrated in a relatively small number of countries. As a result, geopolitical tensions, trade restrictions and disruptions to transportation and logistics can affect the availability of materials needed by industries that India is looking to expand.
Commenting on the development, Ratul Puri, Chairman of Hindustan Power, highlighted the importance of securing resources that will support emerging technologies and future industrial requirements.
“Securing this critical mineral block is an important step in strengthening India’s resource resilience. Platinum group elements are key to next-generation technologies that will shape the future of energy, mobility and advanced manufacturing, including production of clean hydrogen, fuel cells, electronic and catalytic systems.”
The relevance of these minerals is expected to increase as India continues to expand renewable power, green hydrogen, energy storage and electric mobility. These sectors are changing the way energy is produced, stored and consumed. At the same time, their growth is creating demand for a wider range of metals and minerals. Access to these materials is therefore becoming an important part of supporting India’s wider energy and industrial ambitions.
Ratul Puri also underlined the importance of developing domestic resources through a careful and responsible approach. Mineral exploration can help establish a clearer understanding of the resources available within the country, while providing a foundation for assessing their potential role in future supply chains. Speaking about the initiative, he said, “With this exploration, we aim to build a reliable domestic resource base for critical minerals, while taking a disciplined and responsible approach. This will support India’s broader priorities of supply chain security and energy leadership.”
The Padhar project also reflects a wider change in the way countries are approaching the global shift towards cleaner energy. The focus is no longer limited to installing renewable energy capacity or adopting new technologies. Increasingly, governments and industries are paying attention to the raw materials needed to manufacture clean-energy equipment, mobility solutions and advanced industrial products. Securing access to these resources is becoming an important consideration for supply chain reliability and industrial competitiveness.
For India, this wider perspective is particularly relevant as it works to develop new industries while strengthening its existing manufacturing capabilities. Reliable access to critical minerals can help address some of the vulnerabilities associated with dependence on overseas supplies. At the same time, a better understanding of domestic mineral potential can contribute to more informed decisions about exploration, resource development and the needs of industries that depend on these materials.
For Hindustan Power, the Padhar exploration initiative also represents an extension of the company’s interests beyond its established strengths in the energy sector. As energy technologies and mineral resources become increasingly connected, opportunities are emerging across industries that will influence the future of manufacturing and infrastructure. Explaining the company's approach, Ratul Puri said, “For Hindustan Power, this exploration reflects the natural evolution of the company as we expand beyond our established strengths in energy into areas that will define the future industrial landscape.”
As India continues to invest in cleaner energy and new technologies, its progress will depend on more than the expansion of renewable power generation. The country will also need to pay attention to the materials, supply chains and industrial capabilities that support this development. Continued geological exploration and a deeper understanding of domestic mineral resources will be important as India builds out renewable energy, green hydrogen, electric mobility and advanced manufacturing.
In this context, the Padhar Platinum Group Elements block in Madhya Pradesh forms part of a broader effort to understand and develop India's domestic mineral potential. Exploration is an important step in determining the nature and extent of available resources, although further work is needed to establish their commercial viability. Initiatives such as this can help inform the country's longer-term approach to critical mineral availability and resource security.
As the global transition towards cleaner energy gathers pace, access to the raw materials behind emerging technologies is likely to remain an important factor in industrial development. For India, strengthening domestic mineral exploration and building a clearer picture of its resource base can support wider efforts to improve supply chain resilience, advance energy security and prepare industries for future demand. The Padhar project brings these priorities into focus at a time when critical minerals are becoming an increasingly important part of the global energy and industrial landscape.
About Ratul Puri
Ratul Puri is the Chairman of Hindustan Power, an integrated power generation company with a strong presence in renewable and transitional energy generation. Over the years, Ratul Puri has been involved in the development of large-scale energy infrastructure projects that support India’s growing power requirements and its transition toward cleaner energy sources.
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