Montreal, Quebec--(Newsfile Corp. - February 24, 2026) - Quebec Innovative Materials Corp. (CSE: QIMC) (OTCQB: QIMCF) (FSE: 7FJ) ("QIMC" or the "Company") is pleased to report significant initial results from the first 300 metres of its planned 650-metre diamond drill hole DDH-26-01 at its West Advocate Eatonville Project, Nova Scotia. Drilling remains ongoing.
The Company has intersected a previously unmapped hydrogen-bearing tectonic fault corridor measuring approximately 40 metres in apparent width between 142 metres and 191 metres depth.
These results provide strong subsurface data supporting the presence of a structurally controlled natural hydrogen system and materially confirming QIMC's structural natural hydrogen model.
What This Means for Investors
QIMC's results represent direct subsurface indication via drill bit of a pressurized structural conduit consistent with an active natural hydrogen migration system at West Advocate. With four additional drill holes planned and in situ quantitative measurements to follow, the Company has a defined, systematic, data-driven, and well-capitalized pathway for the next phases of its Nova Scotia natural hydrogen program.
John Karagiannidis, President of QIMC, notes:
"Reporting on the first 300 metres of a planned 650-metre hole, we have intersected a 40-metre-wide hydrogen-bearing fault corridor with readings in the ambient air around the borehole collar approximately 2,000 times atmospheric background levels. These results strongly support our structural hydrogen model and indicate we are operating within an active structurally controlled gas migration system.
The geochemical, geological, and geophysical similarities between the Eatonville Road and Bennett Hill areas suggest a broader structurally controlled hydrogen corridor across the Advocate region. Drilling remains ongoing as we continue evaluating the system at depth."
TECHNICAL CONTEXT: MEASUREMENT METHODOLOGY
The winter exploration program at West Advocate has two important components.
The first, currently underway, uses conventional diamond drilling to document local geology and validate our exploration model, which was developed to explain the strong hydrogen, radon, and thoron anomalies observed in the soils of the area.
The drilling program is being executed by Maritime Diamond Drilling Ltd., an experienced Nova Scotia drilling contractor. Core logging and geological documentation are being conducted by Tower Resources Inc. of Nova Scotia, providing independent technical support for lithological, structural, and alteration characterization
Four hydrogen detectors were deployed to measure hydrogen concentrations at the edge of the wellhead and inside the drill compartment. These measurements are direct indicators of hydrogen emerging from the drill head, though the concentrations recorded are highly diluted by ambient atmospheric air, meaning the true subsurface concentrations may be significantly higher than what was measured.
The second component includes in situ sampling using pressurized water samplers rated to pressures equivalent to 1,200 metres of burial depth. These data will allow us to quantitatively establish the relationships between hydrogen concentrations and the structural features identified during drilling, providing a much more rigorous and precise characterization of the system.
Major Subsurface Results
Within the first 300 metres of drilling, QIMC encountered:
A ~40-metre-wide hydrogen-bearing fault corridor
Elevated hydrogen (H2) readings in the vicinity of the borehole collar exceeding 1,000 ppm (instrument detection range up to 1,000 ppm; readings reached the upper calibrated measurement range of the monitoring equipment) during intersection of the fault zone
Very low oxygen (O2) and no methane (CH4) detected
Strong pressurized formation water inflow into the borehole and visible gas bubbling
Hydrogen detected within the structural interval associated with the fault corridor
For context, normal atmospheric hydrogen concentrations average approximately 0.5 ppm (500 parts per billion). The readings recorded near the borehole collar following pressurized formation water inflow are therefore approximately 2,000 times greater than typical atmospheric background levels. Because these readings were taken in ambient air significantly diluted by the atmosphere, they are considered a conservative indicator of subsurface hydrogen concentrations.
Formation water inflow and gas bubbling subsided only after drilling an additional six metres past 191 metres, indicating intersection of an active, pressurized structural conduit rather than a stagnant or isolated gas pocket.
Drilling also intersected faulted black graphite between 206 metres and 212.3 metres. Graphitic shear zones are commonly associated with deep crustal deformation, which may promote the rise of hydrogen from deep sources.
Geological Significance: Structural Model Validation
Results from DDH-26-01 provide direct subsurface support for QIMC's natural hydrogen exploration model.
Key observations include:
Wide tectonic deformation corridors acting as hydrogen migration pathways
An open and structurally controlled system
Hydrogen structurally associated with deformation corridors rather than indicative of a conventional hydrocarbon system
A structural corridor interpreted to extend across the property toward the Bennett Hill target area
The interpreted multi-kilometre structural continuity toward Bennett Hill supports the emergence of a broader district-scale structural hydrogen corridor, though additional drilling will be required to evaluate continuity and scale.
Importantly, this structural corridor was not previously mapped at this level of detail in publicly available geological surveys, highlighting QIMC's data-driven H2 exploration model.
Discovery Highlights (First 300m of 650m Hole 1)
Newly identified ~40 m wide hydrogen-bearing fault zone
Hydrogen readings exceeding 1,000 ppm near the borehole collar
Pressurized formation water inflow with visible gas bubbling
Hydrogen detected in specific structural intervals
Very low oxygen (O2) and no methane (CH4) detected
Cataclasites and intensely deformed sedimentary rocks observed
Graphite-rich shear zone (206 m - 212.3 m)
Structure interpreted as part of a multi-kilometre structural corridor
Prof. Marc Richer-LaFlèche of INRS (Institut national de la recherche scientifique, one of Canada's leading scientific research universities with internationally recognized expertise in Earth sciences and geochemistry) commented:
"The DDH-26-01 borehole was primarily designed to document the geology of a sector of the Cobequid Highlands (West Advocate) characterized by strong hydrogen, radon, and thoron anomalies measured in soils. In this area, the underlying basement geology is largely masked by Quaternary till cover, which complicated interpretation of data acquired during the summer and fall 2025 programs.
Prior to drilling, the conceptual model suggested the presence of hypothetical fault structures acting as migration pathways for H2 toward the subsurface. These structures were interpreted to occur within a transition zone marking the shift from a southern sedimentary domain to older northern basement rocks - a transition also supported by gravity and magnetic data.
Core observations from DDH-26-01 provide direct structural evidence consistent with this model. The drilling identified fault zones and deformation corridors not previously mapped or identified in geological surveys. The discovery of deformation corridors reaching up to approximately 40 metres in apparent thickness indicates that secondary structures associated with the Cobequid Fault Zone are more extensive and structurally complex than previously interpreted.
Based on the integration of geochemical, geophysical, and drilling data, these deformation corridors are interpreted to represent the principal structural controls influencing the elevated hydrogen concentrations measured in soils. These fault zones are associated with cataclasites, intensely deformed sedimentary rocks, and locally developed graphite-rich zones."
Ongoing Drill Program
Hole 1 (DDH-26-01): Drilling continues to planned 650m depth; borehole geophysics and multi-parameter logging underway to characterize lithology, structural features, fracture distribution, and hydrogeological conditions.
Hole 2 (DDH-26-02): Drilled from the same site as Hole 1 with an orientation of N297° and a 55° plunge to the northwest, designed to drill in the direction of identified magnetic and gravity highs.
Hole 3 (DDH-26-03): Eatonville Road area along the Reid Line, planned to 700m depth.
Holes 4 (DDH-26-04) & 5 (DDH-26-05): Bennett Hill targets, testing the broader regional structural hydrogen corridor interpreted from geochemical and geophysical similarities with the Eatonville area.
The Natural Hydrogen Opportunity
Natural hydrogen (H2), sometimes called "white hydrogen" or "gold hydrogen," is attracting growing attention from governments, energy majors, AI data centers, and investors as a potential source of off-grid, naturally occurring clean hydrogen. Unlike manufactured green or blue hydrogen, natural hydrogen exists in the subsurface and may be extractable at a fraction of the production cost. QIMC is a publicly listed company with an advanced, active, scientifically rigorous drill program specifically targeting structurally hosted natural hydrogen systems in North America.
About Québec Innovative Materials Corp. (QIMC)
Québec Innovative Materials Corp. (CSE: QIMC) (OTCQB: QIMCF) (FSE: 7FJ) is a mining exploration and development company dedicated to unlocking the potential of North America's abundant natural resources. With properties in Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia, and Minnesota (USA), QIMC specializes in the exploration of white (natural) hydrogen and high-grade silica assets.
QIMC is committed to sustainable development, environmental stewardship, and innovation, with the objective of supporting clean energy solutions for the AI-driven and carbon-neutral economy.
For More Information, Please Contact:
QUEBEC INNOVATIVE MATERIALS CORP.
John Karagiannidis
President & Chief Executive Officer
Email: info@qimaterials.com
Tel: +1 514-726-7058
Regulatory Disclaimer
Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release and has neither approved nor disapproved its contents. Technical Note: Hydrogen readings reported are based on real-time field measurements from the first 300 metres of Hole 1 using calibrated monitoring equipment at the borehole collar with an upper measurement range of approximately 1,000 ppm. True structural width and regional continuity remain subject to further drilling and structural interpretation. Drilling remains ongoing to the planned 650 metre depth.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains "forward-looking statements" and "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. These statements are based on expectations, estimates, and projections as of the date of this press release and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause actual results, performance, or achievements of the Company to differ materially from those expressed or implied.
Forward-looking statements are generally identified by words such as "expects," "anticipates," "believes," "intends," "estimates," "projects," "potential," and similar expressions, or by statements that events or conditions "will," "may," "could," or "should" occur.
Although the Company believes that the forward-looking information contained herein is reasonable as of the date of this press release, such information is subject to change and no assurance can be given that future results will be achieved. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements except as required by applicable law.
To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/285090
Source: Quebec Innovative Materials Corp.
