Canada finds potentially huge “white hydrogen” reserves in ancient rocks
Canada may be sitting on a vast new clean energy source: hydrogen gas naturally produced by ancient rocks.
University of Toronto researchers found boreholes in a Timmins gold mine release 8 kg of hydrogen yearly. Across 15,000 boreholes, that could equal 140 tonnes per year — enough for 4.7 million kWh, powering 400+ homes.
Separately, MAX Power became the first company to intentionally drill for natural hydrogen in Canada. At its Lawson site in Saskatchewan, a well hit a Precambrian rock zone with 28% hydrogen and up to 8.7% helium.“Lawson is no longer a concept – it’s a discovered geological system,” said CEO Ran Narayanasamy.
White hydrogen forms when groundwater reacts with certain rocks over time. Prof. Barbara Sherwood Lollar says Canada’s Shield geology makes it uniquely positioned. The same regions host critical minerals, which could allow hydrogen to be used on-site by mines and northern communities.
With most hydrogen today made from fossil fuels, natural hydrogen could offer a cheaper, lower-emission alternative. Similar geology exists worldwide.
