Max Power Mining’s Hydrogen Discovery: A Potential Game-Changer in Saskatchewan

Max Power Mining CA57778R1001

A significant development has emerged in the nascent natural hydrogen sector. Max Power Mining has announced the identification of Canada's first confirmed subsurface natural hydrogen system following testing at its Lawson well in Saskatchewan. This geological confirmation shifts the focus to whether this discovery can evolve into a commercially viable project.

The company's strategic position in the region is substantial. It currently holds approvals for approximately 1.3 million acres (about 521,000 hectares) in Saskatchewan, with an additional 5.7 million acres under application. The discovery is situated within the expansive Genesis Trend, a geological corridor stretching 475 kilometers into Montana and the Dakotas. This trend is notably close to the Regina–Moose Jaw industrial corridor, an area the company highlights for its existing hydrogen demand.

Breakthrough Technical Results from Lawson

On January 16, 2026, Max Power reported that testing at the Lawson well near Central Butte measured hydrogen concentrations reaching up to 286,000 ppm (28.6% H₂). According to the company, this represents the first well in Canada specifically targeted for natural hydrogen.

Key technical findings from the announcement include:
* Confirmed Gas Flow: A free gas flow to surface was established with robust initial rates and pressures following perforation.
* High-Purity Samples: Sealed core tube samples revealed a peak hydrogen reading of 28.60%.
* Independent Verification: Third-party laboratories AGAT, Corelab, and PTRC confirmed hydrogen contents ranging from 16.80% to 19.07% from through-casing flow tests.
* Reservoir Potential: Data indicates a potentially large reservoir with strong natural drive, hosted within fractured Precambrian "exotic terrane" rocks considered favorable source material.
* Helium Coincidence: Elevated helium values of up to 8.7% were also detected in sealed core samples.

The combination of significant hydrogen and helium concentrations, coupled with the observed flow dynamics, forms the core of this newly announced discovery.

Roadmap for Commercial Assessment

Building on these initial results, Max Power has outlined a plan for the first half of 2026 to advance the Lawson discovery toward a potential commercial evaluation. The immediate next steps are:
1. Initiating a 3D seismic program to better define the suspected high-purity zone of the structure.
2. Drilling a confirmatory well within the first six months of 2026.
3. Conducting an additional drill program along the Saskatchewan-Montana border.

The company emphasized that the success at Lawson de-risks several other prospective targets along the Genesis Trend and within its broader Saskatchewan portfolio.

Corporate and Market Developments

Parallel to its technical progress, Max Power has strengthened its corporate foundation. In December 2025, the company secured a $5 million USD investment from an international energy partner. That same month, Neil McMillan was appointed Chairman of the Board of Directors.

On the markets, shares of Max Power Mining closed at 0.89 CAD on the Canadian Securities Exchange as of January 22, 2026, according to Yahoo Finance data. Trading volumes saw an increase in the sessions following the discovery announcement.

The upcoming seismic data and, crucially, the results from the planned follow-up drilling will be pivotal in determining if the Lawson structure and the Genesis Trend can be transformed into a substantive development project with a clear economic outlook.