First Atlas begins hydrogen exploration in Nova Scotia
First Atlas Resources has launched its 2026 field exploration programme across its natural hydrogen licences in Nova Scotia after extending its technical advisory agreement with Québec Innovative Materials Corp. (QIMC).
The exploration campaign has begun in Cumberland County, where three QIMC field teams are carrying out soil-gas sampling and ground magnetic surveys across the Advocate-Cumberland Basin area. The work is designed to refine previously identified hydrogen anomalies and identify priority drilling targets along the Cobequid-Chedabucto Fault Zone.
The extension of the partnership allows First Atlas to take advantage of QIMC’s existing exploration teams, equipment and proprietary R2G2™ targeting methodology without delays associated with mobilising a new field operation.
The latest programme follows encouraging drilling results recently reported by QIMC from its Bennett Hill project in Nova Scotia. Diamond drill hole DDH-26-04 recorded a peak hydrogen concentration of 24.3% at a depth of 707 metres, the highest reading reported from the company’s four-hole 2026 drilling campaign. The hole also produced six readings of at least 10% hydrogen and 46 readings above 1%, with elevated hydrogen detected throughout much of the drill hole.
According to QIMC, methane levels remained close to zero while carbon dioxide concentrations stayed at or below 0.2% across all four drill holes completed during the programme. The company believes the results support its district-scale natural hydrogen exploration model and suggest an active migration pathway linking deep hydrogen sources with soil-gas anomalies detected at the surface.
For First Atlas, the drilling results provide additional confidence in using soil-gas geochemistry as an exploration tool. The company noted that the Bennett Hill drilling targets were originally identified through the same surface soil-gas sampling techniques now being applied across its own licences.
QIMC also reported that drill core from DDH-26-04 showed structural and hydrothermal features similar to Iron-Oxide-Copper-Gold (IOCG) systems, including extensive brecciation, hematite-rich alteration and areas of magnetite destruction. These geological characteristics are associated with highly permeable fault structures that may provide pathways for naturally occurring hydrogen to migrate towards the surface.
First Atlas said its ground magnetic surveys are intended to identify comparable structural features and iron-oxide alteration zones across its land package, helping to refine future drill targets.
The company controls one of the largest natural hydrogen exploration land positions within Nova Scotia‘s Cumberland Basin region, situated along the Cobequid-Chedabucto Fault Zone where QIMC has already reported hydrogen-bearing drill intersections.
Richard Penn, President and Chief Executive of First Atlas, said extending the collaboration enables the company to immediately apply an exploration methodology that has already delivered significant hydrogen results elsewhere along the regional fault system.
He said the combination of systematic soil-gas sampling and magnetic surveys will help build a robust technical dataset capable of supporting future drilling decisions.
The initial exploration programme will focus on detailed soil-gas sampling over priority hydrogen anomalies, ground magnetic surveys to map structural features and iron-rich alteration zones, and the integration of all geological data into QIMC’s R2G2™ targeting framework. The company expects fieldwork to continue throughout the summer, with exploration results to be released as they are validated.
Growing interest in naturally occurring hydrogen has fuelled exploration activity in several regions worldwide, with companies seeking low-carbon sources of hydrogen that could support future clean energy production without the emissions associated with conventional hydrogen manufacturing.
