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Time of India

Hindustan Zinc secures potash block, adds to REE and tungsten assets in critical minerals push

New Delhi: Hindustan Zinc Limited (HZL) on Wednesday said it has received a Letter of Intent (LoI) from the Ministry of Mines for a potash block located in Hanumangarh district of Rajasthan. The company secured the block under Tranche V of the Centre's e-auction process conducted in May 2025. The block spans over 1,800 hectares and is among the first potash blocks awarded in the country. This is Hindustan Zinc's third acquisition in the critical minerals segment in 2025. Earlier this month, the company had received an LoI from the Uttar Pradesh government for a Rare Earth Elements (REE) block and previously secured a Tungsten and Associated Minerals block in Andhra Pradesh. Arun Misra, CEO of Hindustan Zinc Limited, said, 'At Hindustan Zinc, we have deep expertise in strategic mineral exploration. This acquisition is in line with our strategic foray into the critical minerals segment to support the nation's mineral security goals for rapid economic growth.' Potash is a key input for the fertiliser industry, especially in the production of NPK fertilisers . India currently imports all its potash requirements from countries including Canada, Belarus, Jordan, and South Korea. The auction of the country's first potash and halite blocks is seen as a step towards reducing import dependence and supporting domestic agricultural inputs. Hindustan Zinc, a Vedanta Group company, is India's only and the world's largest integrated zinc producer. It holds around 77% share in India's primary zinc market and supplies to over 40 countries. The company is among the top five silver producers globally. Hindustan Zinc said its recent mineral acquisitions align with its strategy to build a portfolio of high-quality critical mineral assets with long-term mining potential. The company said it aims to leverage its in-house exploration and mining capabilities to develop these assets and contribute to India's goal of strengthening domestic mineral security.