Quebec Innovative Materials Corp. (QIMC) Confirms Third Major Natural Hydrogen Discovery in Nova Scotia with Soil-Gas Results up to 4,125 ppm
Quebec Innovative Materials Corp. (OTCQB:QIMCF) has announced its third major natural hydrogen discovery in Nova Scotia's Southampton and East-Southampton areas. The soil-gas surveys revealed 23 samples above 500 ppm hydrogen, including 8 samples exceeding 1,000 ppm and a peak value of 4,125 ppm - one of the highest concentrations recorded in the province.
The discovery is located in the Cumberland Basin, which shows strong geological similarities to Europe's Carboniferous Basin of Lorraine. The exploration team conducted extensive analysis using seismic data, revealing the Athol syncline reaching depths of ~5 km and the presence of four south-dipping faults that act as hydrogen migration conduits.
The company is now expanding its Phase 2 and Phase 3 programs in these areas and evaluating the integration of ammonia production, leveraging Nova Scotia's existing infrastructure and port facilities.
Quebec Innovative Materials Corp. (OTCQB:QIMCF) ha annunciato la terza grande scoperta di idrogeno naturale nelle aree di Southampton ed East-Southampton, in Nuova Scozia. I rilievi soil-gas hanno rilevato 23 campioni superiori a 500 ppm di idrogeno, tra cui 8 campioni oltre 1.000 ppm e un picco di 4.125 ppm — tra i valori più alti registrati nella provincia.
La scoperta si trova nel Cumberland Basin, che mostra forti somiglianze geologiche con il Carboniferous Basin di Lorraine in Europa. Il team di esplorazione ha effettuato un'analisi estensiva utilizzando dati sismici, rivelando che l'Athol syncline raggiunge profondità di ~5 km e la presenza di quattro faglie verso sud che fungono da vie di migrazione dell'idrogeno.
L'azienda sta ora espandendo i programmi di Fase 2 e Fase 3 in queste aree e valutando l'integrazione della produzione di ammoniaca, sfruttando le infrastrutture e i porti esistenti della Nuova Scozia.
Quebec Innovative Materials Corp. (OTCQB:QIMCF) ha anunciado su tercero gran descubrimiento de hidrógeno natural en las áreas de Southampton y East-Southampton, en Nueva Escocia. Los sondeos de suelo-gas revelaron 23 muestras por encima de 500 ppm de hidrógeno, incluyendo 8 muestras que superan 1.000 ppm y un pico de 4.125 ppm, uno de los valores más altos registrados en la provincia.
El hallazgo se localiza en la cuenca Cumberland, que presenta notables similitudes geológicas con la Cuenca Carbonífera de Lorraine en Europa. El equipo de exploración llevó a cabo un análisis exhaustivo con datos sísmicos, revelando que el sinclinal Athol alcanza profundidades de ~5 km y un conjunto de cuatro fallas con dirección sur que sirven como conductos de migración de hidrógeno.
La empresa está ampliando sus programas de Fase 2 y Fase 3 en estas áreas y evaluando la integración de la producción de amoníaco, aprovechando la infraestructura portuaria existente en Nueva Escocia.
퀘벡 이노베이티브 메탈리얼스 코퍼레이션(QIMCF)은 노바스코샤 주 소문턴과 이스트-소문턴 지역에서 천연 수소의 세 번째 대발견을 발표했습니다. 토양-가스 조사에서 500 ppm 이상 수소 23샘플, 그중 1000 ppm을 넘는 샘플 8개, 그리고 최고치 4125 ppm이 확인되었으며 이는 주에서 기록된 가장 높은 농도 중 하나입니다.
발견은 커럼벌랜드 베이슨(Cumberland Basin)에서 일어나며, 유럽의 로렌 카본계 분지와 지질적으로 강한 유사성을 보입니다. 탐사팀은 지진 데이터를 바탕으로 심층 분석을 수행했고, Athol 싱클라인이 약 5km 깊이에 도달하며 남향으로 경사진 4개의 단층이 수소 이동 통로 역할을 한다는 것을 확인했습니다.
회사는 이제 이 지역에서 2단계 및 3단계 프로그램을 확장하고 노바스코샤의 기존 인프라와 항만 시설을 활용해 암모니아 생산의 통합 가능성을 평가하고 있습니다.
Québec Innovative Materials Corp. (OTCQB:QIMCF) a annoncé sa troisième grande découverte d'hydrogène naturel dans les zones de Southampton et d'East-Southampton, en Nouvelle-Écosse. Les relevés gaz-sol ont révélé 23 échantillons au-delà de 500 ppm d'hydrogène, dont 8 échantillons dépassant 1 000 ppm et un pic de 4 125 ppm, l'une des concentrations les plus élevées jamais enregistrées dans la province.
La découverte se situe dans le bassin Cumberland, présentant de fortes similitudes géologiques avec le bassin carbonifère Lorraine en Europe. L'équipe d'exploration a mené une analyse approfondie à l'aide de données sismiques, révélant que le synclinal d'Athol atteint des profondeurs d'environ 5 km et la présence de quatre failles orientées vers le sud qui servent de conduits de migration de l'hydrogène.
La société élargit désormais ses programmes de Phase 2 et Phase 3 dans ces zones et évalue l'intégration de la production d'ammoniac, en s'appuyant sur les infrastructures portuaires existantes en Nouvelle-Écosse.
Quebec Innovative Materials Corp. (OTCQB:QIMCF) teilte seinen dritten großen Fund von natürlichem Wasserstoff in den Gebieten Southampton und East-Southampton in Nova Scotia mit. Die Boden-Gas-Studien ergaben 23 Proben über 500 ppm Wasserstoff, darunter 8 Proben über 1.000 ppm und einen Spitzenwert von 4.125 ppm, eine der höchsten Konzentrationen, die in der Provinz verzeichnet wurden.
Der Fund befindet sich im Cumberland Basin, das starke geologische Ähnlichkeiten zum Carboniferous Basin Lorraine in Europa aufweist. Das Explorations-Team führte eine umfassende Analyse mit seismischen Daten durch und zeigte, dass der Athol-Synklin bis zu Tiefen von ca. 5 km reicht und vier nach Süden fallende Verwerfungen existieren, die als Transportkanäle für Wasserstoff dienen.
Das Unternehmen weitet nun seine Phase-2- und Phase-3-Programme in diesen Gebieten aus und bewertet die Integration der Ammoniakproduktion unter Nutzung der bestehenden Infrastruktur und Hafenanlagen in Nova Scotia.
شركة Quebec Innovative Materials Corp. (OTCQB:QIMCF) أعلنت عن اكتشافها الثالث الكبير للهيدروجين الطبيعي في مناطق ساوثهامبتون وإيست-ساوثهامبتون في نوفا سكوشيا. أظهرت مسوحات التربة-الغاز 23 عينة فوق 500 جزء في المليون من الهيدروجين، بما في ذلك ثماني عينات تتجاوز 1000 جزء في المليون وقيمة قصوى قدرها 4125 جزء في المليون، وهي من بين أعلى التركيزات المسجلة في المقاطعة.
تقع الاكتشاف في حوض كيرلاند (Cumberland Basin)، الذي يظهر تشابهاً جيولوجياً قوياً مع حوض Lorraine الكربوني في أوروبا. أجرت فرقة الاستكشاف تحليلاً شاملاً باستخدام بيانات زلزالية، كاشفة أن Athol syncline يصل إلى أعماق نحو حوالي 5 كم وأن هناك أربع فوالق مائلة جنوباً تعمل كقنوات هجرة للهيدروجين.
تقوم الشركة حالياً بتوسيع برامجها في المرحلتين 2 و3 في هذه المناطق وتقييم دمج إنتاج الأمونيا، مستفيدة من البنية التحتية والموانئ القائمة في نوفا سكوشيا.
魁北克创新材料公司（OTCQB:QIMCF）宣布在新斯科舍省的南安普敦和东南安普敦地区发现了< b>三大天然氢气发现。土壤-气体调查显示有< b>23个样本氢气浓度超过500 ppm，其中< b>8个样本超过1000 ppm，峰值为< b>4125 ppm，为该省记录中较高的浓度之一。
发现位于坎伯兰盆地，地质特征与欧洲劳伦斯碳酸盆地具有较强相似性。勘探团队利用地震数据进行了广泛分析，揭示Athol冲积区深度约5公里，存在四条向南倾斜的断层，充当氢气迁移通道。
公司现正扩大其阶段2和阶段3计划在这些区域的推进，并评估将氨气生产整合进来，利用新斯科舍省现有的基础设施和港口设施。
- Discovery of third major hydrogen zone with exceptional concentration levels up to 4,125 ppm
- Geological similarities with proven European Carboniferous Basin suggest strong potential
- Strategic location with existing infrastructure and port facilities for future ammonia production
- Comprehensive seismic data confirms favorable geological structures for hydrogen accumulation
- Early-stage exploration results requiring further validation and development
- Complex geological setting requiring extensive additional studies
Montreal, Quebec--(Newsfile Corp. - September 22, 2025) - Quebec Innovative Materials Corp. (CSE: QIMC) (OTCQB: QIMCF) (FSE: 7FJ) ("QIMC" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the discovery of a third major clean hydrogen zone in Nova Scotia. Soil-gas surveys conducted in the Southampton and East-Southampton areas returned 23 samples above 500 parts per million (ppm) hydrogen, of which 8 exceeded 1,000 ppm, including a peak value of 4,125 ppm - one of the highest concentrations recorded by the Company in the province to date.
"The confirmation of a third hydrogen zone in Nova Scotia, with 23 samples above 500 ppm including 8 over 1,000 ppm and a peak of 4,125 ppm, represents a transformative step for QIMC. Each new anomalous zone further validates our thesis that the Cumberland Basin is one of the most promising natural hydrogen districts in North America. Importantly, geology shows deformation and folding of rocks between the features that present strong similarities with the Carboniferous Basin of Lorraine in Europe, in both cases, we are in a carboniferous basin containing continental sedimentary rocks, including coal rocks, among others. With the integration of seismic data into our exploration model, QIMC is positioned - alongside Nova Scotia - at the forefront of clean hydrogen development," said John Karagiannidis, President & CEO of QIMC.
This latest discovery zone builds on QIMC's previously announced results at West Advocate and Eastern Advocate, further confirming Nova Scotia's Cumberland Basin as one of North America's most promising emerging natural hydrogen hubs. With three major zones now confirmed, the QIMC and INRS teams are expanding our Phase 2 and Phase 3 programs in these areas.
"Following recent meetings with our partners, we are also evaluating the next phase of development, which includes the integration of ammonia production into our model, leveraging Nova Scotia's existing infrastructure and port facilities," adds John Karagiannidis.
Geological Context of Southampton
The geomorphological and geological contexts of the Southampton area are markedly different from those of the tectonized zone of the Cobequid Highlands in the Advocate and West-Advocate areas. As a result, the discovery of a new hydrogen anomalous domain in the Southampton area is noteworthy and must be interpreted in terms of geological characteristics specific to the Cumberland Carboniferous Basin.
Prof. Marc Richer-Laflèche (INRS) commented: "The Southampton anomalies highlight a structural and geological setting distinct from Advocate. Here we are working within a Carboniferous basin environment, which provides a unique context for hydrogen migration and accumulation."
Structural Controls and Basin Setting
As shown on the elevation data map (Fig. 1a), hydrogen soil-gas anomalies are located on a lower elevation plateau north of the Cobequid Highlands. This topography is influenced by a regional fault system separating the Carboniferous domains of the Cumberland Basin to the north (Pennsylvanian sedimentary rocks) from the older granitic and Neoproterozoic volcanic-sedimentary terrains of the Jeffers Group to the south (Fig. 1c).
This geological contrast is clearly expressed by a magnetic high on Nova Scotia's regional aeromagnetic map (Fig. 2). On a local scale, magnetic and gravimetric surveys show low potential field values, which encompass most of the highest hydrogen anomalies observed. Such zones typically indicate a thickening of sedimentary sequences in basins.
Seismic Data Integration
Seismic reflection data, reprocessed by the Geological Survey of Canada (Durling, 2023), underline the importance of the Athol syncline, which reaches a depth of ~5 km beneath the anomalous Southampton sector. This section also shows the presence of at least four south-dipping faults.
In QIMC's exploration model, these faults act as migration conduits, promoting the upward movement of hydrogen to surface soils (Fig. 3).
Prof. Richer-Laflèche added: "The seismic integration is critical. It shows the geometry of the basin, the depth of the Athol syncline, and the role of fault systems that facilitate hydrogen migration. This structural picture strengthens our confidence in the Southampton anomalies."
Lithological Associations
The highest hydrogen concentrations were observed over the Carboniferous Ragged Reef Formation, composed of alternating fluvial sandstones, conglomerates, mudstones, lacustrine limestones, and rare coal horizons. In contrast, soils overlying the Malagash Formation did not display hydrogen anomalies.
Structurally, the strongest anomalies coincide with zones affected by secondary south-dipping faults trending EW to WNW-ESE. These features appear to intersect a subvertical strike-slip fault along the southern margin of the Cumberland Basin, at the foot of the Cobequid Uplands.
Conceptually, this geological and structural framework suggests hydrogen formation result from groundwater infiltration into south-dipping faults and reactions at depth with igneous rocks of the Cobequid Highlands. The well-documented high geothermal gradient of the Cumberland Basin acts as a catalyst for such hydrogen-producing processes.
Figure 1. A) NASA elevation map (in m), B) total magnetic field map, C) simplified geological map D) residual Bouguer anomaly (gravimetry). Maps from the https://novascotia.ca/natr/meb/geoscience-online site. The red box shows the perimeter of the Soil-Gas survey conducted in the Southampton and East-Southampton areas.
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Figure 2. Map of the total magnetic field of part of the Cumberland Basin and the Cobequid Highlands. Map from the https://novascotia.ca/natr/meb/geoscience-online site. The red box shows the perimeter of the Soil-Gas survey conducted in the Southampton and East-Southampton areas.
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Figure 3. AN12 seismic reflection line reprocessed by the Geological Survey of Canada (Durling, 2023). The faults shown in red (Southampton area) are those observed within the perimeter of the Soil-Gas surveys conducted in Southampton.
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Analytical results from the Soil-Gas surveys in the Southampton and East-Southampton areas.
The work was carried out from 2 to 11 August 2025, under sunny weather conditions that were particularly favourable for the collection of Soil-Gas samples (average temperature of 29.9oC, average atmospheric pressure of 1047 HPa and average relative humidity of
The mean and median hydrogen concentrations measured in the soils of this sector are particularly variable. Minimum, maximum and average concentrations are presented in table 1. The sections of the Soil-Gas surveys are presented in Figure 4 and the spatial distribution map of the hydrogen anomalies is presented in Figure 5.
Prof. Richer-Laflèche concluded: "The Southampton results, with values up to 4,215 ppm, align with our exploration model and underscore the potential of the Cumberland Basin to host multiple hydrogen-rich domains."
Table 1: H2 soil-gas geochemistry in Southampton and East-Southampton public roads
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Figure 4. Results of the Soil-Gas survey for hydrogen in the Southampton and East-Southampton areas.
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Figure 5. Map of the spatial distribution of hydrogen analysis results in soils from the Southampton and East-Southampton sectors.
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About Pr. Marc Richer-LaFlèche, P.Geo.
Pr. Richer-Laflèche, a qualified expert in hydrogen exploration, has reviewed, read and approved the technical content presented in this press release. Pr. Richer-Laflèche confirms that the methodologies employed, data presented, and interpretations made conform to current industry practices and standards relating to hydrogen exploration.
About QIMC
Quebec Innovative Materials Corp. is a mineral exploration and development company dedicated to exploring and harnessing the potential of North America's abundant resources. With properties in Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia and Minnesota (US), QIMC is focused on specializing in the exploration of white (natural) hydrogen and high-grade silica deposits. QIMC is committed to sustainable practices and innovation. With a focus on environmental stewardship and cutting-edge extraction technology, we aim to unlock the full potential of these materials to drive forward clean energy solutions to power the AI and carbon-neutral economy and contribute to a more sustainable future.
QUÉBEC INNOVATIVE MATERIALS CORP.
John Karagiannidis
Chief Executive Officer
For further information, please contact:
Email: info@qimaterials.com
Tel: +1 514-726-7058
Reference:
Durling, P. 2023. Seismic-reflection interpretation of the carboniferous Cumberland Basin, northern Nova Scotia. Geological Survey of Canada Open File 2816-7155; 8937. 64 pages.
Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the CSE policies) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release and has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this news release.
Forward-Looking Statements
This news release contains statements that constitute "forward-looking statements". Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause Québec Innovative Materials' actual results, performance or achievements, or developments in the industry to differ materially from the anticipated results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects," "plans," "anticipates," "believes," "intends," "estimates," "projects," "potential" and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will," "would," "may," "could" or "should" occur.
Although Québec Innovative Materials believes the forward-looking information contained in this news release is reasonable based on information available on the date hereof, by their nature, forward-looking statements involve assumptions, known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause our actual results, performance or achievements, or other future events, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.
Examples of such assumptions, risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, assumptions, risks and uncertainties associated with general economic conditions in Canada and abroad; adverse industry events; future legislative and regulatory developments in the natural resources sector, in particular as regards the regulation of white (natural) hydrogen exploration, development and exploitation; the Company's ability to access sufficient capital from internal and external sources, and/or inability to access sufficient capital on favorable terms; natural resources industry and markets in Canada and generally; the ability of Québec Innovative Materials to implement its business strategies; competition; and other assumptions, risks and uncertainties.
The forward-looking information contained in this news release represents the expectations of the Company as of the date of this news release and, accordingly, is subject to change after such date. Readers should not place undue importance on forward-looking information and should not rely upon this information as of any other date. While the Company may elect to, it does not undertake to update this information at any particular time except as required in accordance with applicable laws.
Cautionary Statements This news release contains "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. These statements are based on expectations, estimates, and projections as of the date of this release. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, which may cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these statements, as no assurance can be provided regarding future outcomes.
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FAQ
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