MAX Power Mining Appoints PTRC President as CEO, Prepares for Canada's First Deep Natural Hydrogen Well

MAX Power Mining has announced the appointment of Ranjith Narayanasamy, current President and CEO of the Petroleum Technology Research Centre, as Chief Executive Officer effective December 8, 2025. This leadership transition comes as the company prepares to drill Canada's first-ever deep well specifically targeting natural hydrogen within Saskatchewan's Genesis Trend.

The timing of this executive appointment coincides with MAX Power's aggressive push into the emerging natural hydrogen sector, where the company has established a dominant district-scale land position covering approximately 1.3 million acres of permits across prime exploration ground. These permits represent strategic positioning in areas prospective for large volume accumulations of natural hydrogen, with high priority initial drill target areas identified for commencement of drilling in the fourth quarter of 2025.

Natural hydrogen represents a potentially transformative energy source in North America's decarbonization efforts. Unlike conventional hydrogen production methods that require significant energy input and generate carbon emissions, natural hydrogen occurs geologically and can be extracted directly from underground reservoirs. This positions natural hydrogen as a potentially cost-effective and environmentally friendly alternative to current hydrogen production methods.

MAX Power's pioneering work in Saskatchewan's Genesis Trend marks a significant milestone for Canada's energy sector. The successful development of natural hydrogen resources could provide a new domestic clean energy source, reducing reliance on imported energy while supporting climate goals. The company's progress can be tracked through their corporate communications available at https://ibn.fm/MAXXF.

Concurrent with its natural hydrogen initiatives, MAX Power continues to advance its Willcox Playa critical minerals project in southeast Arizona. The project, located adjacent to U.S. Department of Defense lands, represents another strategic component of the company's North American decarbonization focus. Current CEO Mansoor Jan will transition to lead MAX Power's U.S. subsidiary, focusing on potential spinout opportunities or other strategic transactions related to the Arizona assets.

The Willcox Playa Lithium Project already shows promising results, with a 2024 diamond drilling discovery highlighting the property's potential. This dual focus on both natural hydrogen and critical minerals positions MAX Power at the intersection of two key decarbonization sectors, leveraging expertise in mineral exploration to address multiple aspects of the clean energy transition.

Narayanasamy's background leading the Petroleum Technology Research Centre brings substantial expertise in petroleum technology and research to MAX Power's natural hydrogen initiatives. His experience in energy research and development could prove valuable in navigating the technical challenges of exploring for and developing natural hydrogen resources, particularly as Canada positions itself at the forefront of this emerging energy sector.

The development of natural hydrogen resources represents more than just another energy source—it could fundamentally reshape how we think about clean energy production and distribution. If successful, MAX Power's work in Saskatchewan could establish Canada as a leader in natural hydrogen production, creating new economic opportunities while contributing to global decarbonization efforts. The full details of this strategic development are available in the company's official announcement at https://ibn.fm/kcvih.