Natural hydrogen · Critical minerals
Projects & Technology
Alongside the Magnesium Project, Element One is pursuing two distinct approaches to natural hydrogen: exploration for naturally accumulated hydrogen, and technology intended to stimulate hydrogen generation from iron-rich hard rock.
Natural hydrogen exploration
Natural hydrogen can be produced when water reacts with iron-rich minerals found in certain ultramafic rocks, during the natural decay of uranium and thorium in the subsurface, and from deep mantle degassing. In some geological settings, hydrogen may migrate away from its source and accumulate beneath impermeable rock layers.
The Company's stated intention is to integrate multiple geological and geophysical factors when ranking targets, including:
- The presence of hydrogen-generating source rocks
- Structural pathways capable of supporting hydrogen migration
- Potential reservoir rocks
- Geological traps and seals
- Indicators of active or historic subsurface fluid movement
Source: news release of September 10, 2026.
Western Canada: letter of intent with Mantle8
On September 14, 2026 the Company announced a letter of intent with Mantle8 SAS, a Grenoble, France-based natural hydrogen exploration company, to evaluate natural hydrogen exploration opportunities in British Columbia and Alberta. Except for specified provisions, the letter of intent is non-binding, and there can be no assurance that a definitive agreement will be completed.
Projects
- Omineca Mining Division, British ColumbiaHY ProjectNine contiguous mineral claims near Fort St. James, 100% owned and staked by Element One, underlain by ultramafic rocks.Project details
- Polaris ultramafic complex, British ColumbiaStar ProjectA 4,485-hectare property in the Polaris ultramafic complex of north-central British Columbia, studied for geologic hydrogen with New England Research.Project details
- Toodoggone region, British ColumbiaFoggy Mountain PropertyA claim block in the Toodoggone region of northern British Columbia, 8 km east of the Kemess South mine, on which Element One holds an option to acquire a 100% interest.Project details
- South-east Alaska, USAUnion Bay ProjectA 167-hectare property in an ultramafic belt in south-east Alaska, vended to 1508260 B.C. Ltd., a private hydrogen and critical minerals company.Project details
The Magnesium Project in Washington State has its own page. [PLACEHOLDER: Confirm current status of each property, including the Shulaps Project acquired with HY (release of November 25, 2025), which has no page on the current website.]
Hydrogen stimulation technology
Stimulated production involves injecting water into ultramafic rocks, which are rich in iron and magnesium. When water interacts with these rocks under specific temperature and pressure conditions, a reaction known as serpentinization occurs, producing hydrogen gas as a by-product.
On February 10, 2026 the Company announced a definitive option and earn-in agreement with Stone to H2, Inc., a New York corporation that owns proprietary technology for critical mineral extraction and geologic hydrogen production. The agreement gives Element One an exclusive option to acquire up to 100% of Stone to H2 through a staged earn-in. Completion remains subject to customary regulatory approvals.
On April 14, 2026 the Company reported the advancement of a patent-pending technology focused on the in-situ formation of spinel oxide catalysts derived from metal-bearing rocks such as olivine. The Company's technology strategy is designed to investigate whether naturally occurring water-rock reactions can be accelerated and controlled to support continuous or repeatable hydrogen generation.
The generation, recovery and commercial production of hydrogen by these methods have not yet been demonstrated in the field.
Sources: Technology page of e1-h2.com; news releases of February 10, April 14, September 10 and September 22, 2026.
Research partnerships
- Columbia University
- Sponsored research agreement announced May 6, 2026. A two-year laboratory program on geologic hydrogen stimulation and the co-recovery of critical metals, directed by Dr. Greeshma Gadikota. Element One has committed US$1.67 million in funding. Read release
- Revora Materials
- Memorandum of understanding announced July 7, 2026 to evaluate the IonMet™ electrochemical platform on Twin Sisters olivine. See Magnesium Project.
- New England Research
- Collaboration on the science and technology of stimulated hydrogen production, with research funded through grants from the U.S. Department of Energy's ARPA-E program, as described on the Company's website.
- Mantle8
- Letter of intent announced September 14, 2026 for natural hydrogen exploration in Western Canada.
Critical mineral properties
Foggy Mountain Property, British Columbia
Element One has an option to acquire a 100% interest in the Foggy Mountain Property, a claim block in the Toodoggone region of northern British Columbia, approximately 200 km north of Smithers and 8 km east of the Kemess South mine. Access from the Kemess mine site is currently by helicopter only. An exploration program was completed in 2025 (release of November 5, 2025).
HY Project, British Columbia
The 2025 exploration program on the HY Project identified nickel-bearing ultramafic units that the Company intends to test for hydrogen-stimulation and nickel-silicate extraction potential (release of December 9, 2025).
Sources: Foggy Property page of e1-h2.com; news releases of November 5 and December 9, 2025.
This page contains forward-looking information. Statements about plans, potential products, testwork and development are subject to risks and uncertainties. See Forward-looking statements.
