Significant platinum group mineralisation found at Bhalukona project: Deccan Gold Mines

Rashmi Pandey — Mon, 18 May 2026 10:39:31 +0000

Deccan Gold Mines Limited has announced the discovery of significant nickel-copper-PGE (Platinum Group Elements) mineralisation at its Bhalukona project in Chhattisgarh, marking a potentially important development in India’s strategic mineral exploration sector.

The company informed that exploration activities at the Bhalukona project identified encouraging mineral deposits containing nickel, copper and platinum group elements, which are considered critical for industries such as electric vehicles, clean energy technologies, aerospace and advanced manufacturing.

According to the company, the findings emerged from recent geological investigations and exploration work carried out at the project site. Officials stated that the mineralisation has shown promising potential and further detailed exploration and resource assessment activities are expected to continue in the coming months.

Nickel and copper are key industrial metals widely used in battery manufacturing, renewable energy infrastructure and electronics, while platinum group elements are considered strategically important due to their applications in catalytic converters, hydrogen technologies, defence systems and high-end industrial processes.

The discovery comes at a time when India is increasing efforts to strengthen domestic availability of critical and strategic minerals to reduce import dependence and support manufacturing expansion under clean energy and technology transition goals.

Mining and industry experts have repeatedly highlighted the importance of securing access to minerals such as nickel, lithium, cobalt and rare earth elements as global competition intensifies over resources linked to electric mobility and energy transition technologies.

Deccan Gold Mines said additional technical studies, drilling programmes and geological evaluations will be undertaken to better determine the scale and commercial potential of the newly identified mineralisation zone at the Bhalukona project.

The development is also expected to draw attention from investors and the mining sector as India seeks to accelerate exploration activities involving strategic minerals across several states.

No official estimate regarding the total reserve size or commercial production timeline has yet been announced by the company.

PGE | Business Upturn

Significant platinum group mineralisation found at Bhalukona project: Deccan Gold Mines