MAX Power Mining Appoints PTRC President as CEO, Advances Canada's First 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 Narayanasamy's appointment aligns with MAX Power's strategic focus on becoming a pioneer in the emerging natural hydrogen sector. With his extensive experience leading the Petroleum Technology Research Centre, Narayanasamy brings significant expertise to the company's ambitious drilling program. The planned drilling operations represent a landmark moment for Canada's energy sector, marking the country's first dedicated exploration for deep natural hydrogen resources.

MAX Power has established a dominant position in the natural hydrogen space, holding approximately 1.3 million acres of permits covering prime exploration ground prospective for large volume accumulations of natural hydrogen. The company has identified high priority initial drill target areas with drilling scheduled to commence in the fourth quarter of 2025. This extensive land position provides MAX Power with substantial exploration potential in what many industry experts believe could become a significant new energy source.

Concurrent with these developments, current CEO Mansoor Jan will transition to lead MAX Power's U.S. subsidiary, focusing on strategic opportunities including potential spinout transactions. This leadership realignment allows the company to maintain momentum across its diverse portfolio while dedicating specialized expertise to each strategic initiative.

The company is also advancing its Willcox Playa critical minerals project in southeast Arizona, located adjacent to U.S. Department of Defense lands. This project gained significant attention following a 2024 diamond drilling discovery at the Willcox Playa Lithium Project, highlighting MAX Power's dual focus on both natural hydrogen and critical minerals essential for the clean energy transition.

Natural hydrogen represents an emerging clean energy source that could play a crucial role in global decarbonization efforts. Unlike conventional hydrogen production methods that require significant energy input, natural hydrogen occurs geologically and can be extracted directly from underground reservoirs. The successful development of natural hydrogen resources could provide a low-cost, zero-emission fuel source for various applications including transportation, power generation, and industrial processes.

MAX Power's pioneering work in Saskatchewan's Genesis Trend positions Canada as a potential leader in this emerging energy sector. The company's comprehensive approach to exploration and development, combined with strategic leadership appointments, demonstrates a systematic methodology for unlocking value across its diverse asset portfolio. Additional information about the company's developments is available through its newsroom at https://ibn.fm/MAXXF.

The convergence of experienced leadership, strategic asset positioning, and pioneering exploration initiatives places MAX Power at the forefront of North America's energy transition. As global demand for clean energy solutions continues to grow, the company's focus on both natural hydrogen and critical minerals positions it to capitalize on multiple aspects of the decarbonization economy while contributing to energy security and environmental sustainability objectives.