Core Insights - Québec Innovative Materials Corp. (QIMC) is expanding its Phase 1 winter natural hydrogen drilling program in Nova Scotia to over 5,000 metres, marking its largest hydrogen-focused drill program to date [1][3] - The expansion is supported by significant geophysical advances from the Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique (INRS), which have refined the structural interpretation of the Advocate–Cumberland Basin and identified new priority drill targets [2][3] Drilling Program Expansion - The Phase 1 drilling program will now exceed 5,000 metres, reflecting QIMC's commitment to advancing natural hydrogen exploration [1][3] - The integration of gravimetry, tomography, and LiDAR by INRS has enhanced confidence in the subsurface model, allowing for an optimized drilling strategy [2][3] Conference Participation - QIMC will attend the Reuters Energy Live Conference in Houston on December 8th and 9th, showcasing its technical leadership in natural hydrogen exploration [4] - The company's presence at the conference aims to engage with international industry participants and highlight its multi-jurisdiction natural hydrogen portfolio [4] Sale of River Valley Silica Project - QIMC has executed a definitive agreement to sell its 100% interest in the River Valley Silica Project to Sila Mining Corp., while retaining ownership of its Charlevoix Silica Project [5][6] - The sale includes receiving 6 million common shares of Sila Mining Corp., cash consideration of up to C$500,000, and a 2% gross-sales royalty on silica products produced from the project [6][7] Strategic Context of River Valley Project - The River Valley asset is positioned to become a foundational North American supplier of high-purity silica (HPQ), critical for various industries [9] - Historical results indicate high-grade quartz averaging 98.74% SiO₂, suitable for cost-effective upgrading into HPQ and ultra-HPQ products [9][11] Future Plans for River Valley - Sila plans to execute a staged 12-hole drilling program to establish mineralized continuity and identify expansion zones over the next 12-18 months [10][11] - The strategy includes engaging partners in semiconductor, solar, battery, and advanced materials sectors to advance River Valley as a cornerstone critical-minerals asset [11]

Core Insights - Quebec Innovative Materials Corp. (QIMC) has confirmed the discovery of a third major clean hydrogen zone in Nova Scotia, with soil-gas results showing concentrations up to 4,125 ppm, marking a significant milestone for the company [1][2][3] Group 1: Discovery and Geological Context - The latest discovery includes 23 samples above 500 ppm hydrogen, with 8 samples exceeding 1,000 ppm, indicating the Cumberland Basin's potential as a leading natural hydrogen district in North America [2][3] - Geological analysis reveals that the Southampton area has distinct geomorphological and geological characteristics compared to other regions, which is crucial for understanding hydrogen migration and accumulation [5][6] - The highest hydrogen concentrations were found over the Carboniferous Ragged Reef Formation, suggesting a strong association between geological formations and hydrogen presence [10][12] Group 2: Exploration and Development Plans - QIMC is expanding its Phase 2 and Phase 3 exploration programs in the confirmed hydrogen zones, indicating a proactive approach to capitalize on the discoveries [3] - The company is also evaluating the integration of ammonia production into its model, leveraging existing infrastructure in Nova Scotia [4] - Seismic data integration has been emphasized as critical for understanding the basin's geometry and the role of fault systems in facilitating hydrogen migration [9][10] Group 3: Technical and Analytical Insights - The soil-gas surveys conducted in Southampton and East-Southampton areas collected a total of 318 samples, with varying hydrogen concentrations, underscoring the area's potential for hydrogen exploration [20][21] - The structural controls and basin setting indicate that the hydrogen anomalies are influenced by a regional fault system, which may enhance the upward movement of hydrogen to surface soils [9][11] - The geological and structural framework suggests that hydrogen formation may result from groundwater infiltration and reactions with igneous rocks, supported by the high geothermal gradient of the Cumberland Basin [12][10]