Three kilometers beneath the forests of northeastern Ontario lies the Kidd Creek mine, where scientists have made an exciting discovery. Deep underground, the ancient rock itself is releasing hydrogen gas naturally, produced as water reacts with iron-rich minerals over millions of years.
Researchers led by Barbara Sherwood Lollar from the University of Toronto have been measuring this natural hydrogen, called white hydrogen, for over a decade. Their findings, published in May 2026, show that each borehole releases about eight kilograms of hydrogen per year. The Kidd Creek mine has nearly 15,000 boreholes, which means the site produces more than 140 tonnes of hydrogen annually. This is enough energy to power over 400 homes for a year.
What makes this discovery so important is that natural hydrogen produces no carbon when it forms, unlike most hydrogen made today, which comes from fossil fuels. Currently, the world uses hydrogen to make fertilizer, steel and other products, in an industry worth $135 billion.
The geology that creates this hydrogen exists across Canada's richest mining regions, including Northern Ontario, Quebec and the Northwest Territories. This means Canada may be able to extract clean fuel while mining for metals. White hydrogen has never been commercially produced before, except in one location in Mali. The Kidd Creek measurements prove that the Earth continuously produces this clean fuel, offering hope for a cleaner energy future.