Geochemists find natural white hydrogen source in billion-year-old Canadian Shield

Geochemists from the University of Toronto and the University of Ottawa found sustained natural hydrogen emissions from billion-year-old rocks in an active mine near Timmins, Ontario.

Using boreholes, the team measured the output and estimated the site could produce more than 140 tonnes of hydrogen per year.

The discovery suggests a domestic, low-carbon hydrogen source that could help cut reliance on fossil-fuel-based hydrogen and support industrial decarbonization in Canada.