- Hydrogen concentrations up to 286,000 ppm confirmed at Lawson, establishing the discovery of a Natural Hydrogen system in MAX Power’s first well on 475-km-long Genesis Trend in Saskatchewan
- Free-flowing hydrogen to surface and reservoir drive at Lawson accelerate the project beyond conceptual stage to resource modelling and commercial evaluation, with a confirmatory well planned during H1 2026 following upcoming 3D seismic survey to delineate the projected high purity apex of the structure
- As Lawson advances toward commercial evaluation, this Saskatchewan discovery marks a major milestone in the global development of an emerging clean energy source and underscores the scalability potential of Natural Hydrogen along an entire 475-km belt that stretches into Montana and the Dakotas
MAX Power Saskatchewan Natural Hydrogen Documentary Video
https://www.maxpowermining.com/NaturalHydrogen-NewEra/
SASKATOON, Saskatchewan, Jan. 16, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — MAX Power Mining Corp. (CSE: MAXX; OTC: MAXXF; FSE: 89N) (“MAX Power” or the “Company”) is pleased to announce confirmation of Canada’s first-ever subsurface Natural Hydrogen system following the successful completion and testing of the first well ever drilled in Canada (“Lawson”) specifically targeting Natural Hydrogen near Central Butte, Saskatchewan, approximately 140 km south of Saskatoon.
Notably, immediate drilling success in the province featuring Canada’s most advanced policy framework for Natural Hydrogen presents a series of potential short-term catalysts (refer to Next Steps – H1 2026) that could accelerate the development of this emerging clean energy industry in Saskatchewan, already a global leader in uranium and potash and Canada’s only producer of helium.
The Lawson discovery supports the Company’s geological model for Natural Hydrogen accumulations and allows for potential repeatability and scalability across the 475-km-long Genesis Trend and elsewhere on MAX Power’s 1.3-million acre permitted land package where a multi-well drill program is set to resume with a fully funded second well along the Saskatchewan-Montana border.
The highly prospective Genesis Trend lies adjacent to the Regina–Moose Jaw Industrial Corridor, where demand for hydrogen is strong. Its entire eastern boundary is nestled against the Prairie Evaporite, which hosts the world’s largest potash reserves and, in the assessment of MAX Power’s geological team, functions as a regional “Salt Barrier” providing a trap and seal conducive to the accumulation of Natural Hydrogen.
Lawson Discovery Highlights
- Hydrogen concentrations up to 286,000 ppm (28.6% H₂)
- Free gas flow to surface with robust initial rates and pressures following perforation
- Evidence of a potentially large reservoir with strong drive mechanism
- Fractured Precambrian “exotic terrane” rocks hosting favorable source rocks
- Elevated helium values up to 8.7% detected in sealed core tube gas samples from zone above the basement complex, indicating potential for a stacked gas system
- Discovery accelerates the development of MAXX LEMI, MAX Power’s AI-assisted Large Earth Model for Natural Hydrogen, designed to become the global standard for Natural Hydrogen exploration
Figure 1: Genesis Natural Hydrogen Trend
Next Steps – H1 2026
MAX Power will now advance Lawson toward commercial evaluation through:
- Resource modelling and estimation in accordance with applicable standards and regulatory guidance, which is expected to commence shortly given an already extensive dataset
- A 47-sq. km 3D seismic survey over the Lawson discovery to define reservoir geometry and trap integrity, which will also aid in developing a contingent resource
- A confirmatory well to evaluate commercial deliverability, with targeting optimized through the 3D seismic survey slated to be carried out in February
- Stakeholder and customer engagement with Saskatchewan-based industrial and energy users, and national and global companies specializing in AI infrastructure
In parallel, data from Lawson will be integrated into MAXX LEMI, MAX Power’s AI-assisted Large Earth Model for Natural Hydrogen exploration. MAXX LEMI is designed to optimize targeting and accelerate discovery of Natural Hydrogen deposits, not only in Saskatchewan but globally as a leading platform that MAX Power plans to monetize.
CEO and Technical Team Commentary
Mr. Ran Narayanasamy, MAX Power President and CEO, commented: “This is a defining moment for MAX Power, Saskatchewan and Canada. We have confirmed the existence of a Natural Hydrogen system in the subsurface from the first well ever drilled in this country specifically targeting this new primary energy source. Lawson is no longer a concept – it’s a discovered geological system with gas flow, pressure, and the key ingredients required for future commercial Natural Hydrogen development. This is an important milestone that positions Saskatchewan at the forefront of a rapidly emerging new clean energy industry.”
Mr. Narayanasamy continued: “Achieving these results on an initial well in an area with no previously recorded Natural Hydrogen occurrences is statistically improbable in the absence of a well-developed and actively charged system, suggesting Lawson is part of a larger, functioning Natural Hydrogen accumulation rather than an isolated occurrence.”
Mr. Steve Halabura, P.Geo., Chief Geoscientist, added: “From a geological perspective, Lawson has delivered exactly what we hoped to see – hydrogen-rich gas, reservoir characteristics, fracture networks, and evidence of a working system. The apex of the structure, which we will be targeting from upcoming 3D seismic, is where we would expect to encounter the high purity core of the system. The presence of elevated helium above the hydrogen zone supports the potential for the discovery of a vertically stacked gas system that would aid in economics. Combined with the extent of the Genesis Trend and the salt-sealed structural setting, this discovery opens the door to repeatable, scalable Natural Hydrogen exploration in Saskatchewan and beyond.”
Mr. Halabura continued: “From an exploration and subsurface systems perspective, achieving these results for a new commodity on a ‘Test of Concept’ well should be considered highly unusual and speaks to the potential of the broader Genesis Trend. The geological processes responsible for hydrogen generation, migration, and trapping appear to be well established at Genesis.”
De-risking Canada’s Largest Permitted Land Package For Natural Hydrogen
Initial success at Lawson de-risks multiple “look-a-like” targets along the Genesis Trend and across MAX Power’s entire Saskatchewan land package encompassing 1.3-million acres under permit and another 5.7 million acres under application. The Lawson well tested one of a minimum of six “play concepts” developed for Natural Hydrogen by MAX Power’s technical team with the second play concept slated for drilling in February.
Technical Confirmation
Independent analyses by three laboratories (AGAT, Corelab, and PTRC) confirmed hydrogen concentrations ranging from 16.80% (168,000 ppm) to 19.07% (190,700 ppm) from a through-casing flow test, while AGAT further assayed hydrogen concentrations of up to 28.60% (286,000 ppm) from gas samples recovered from sealed core tubes. From the zone immediately above the basement complex, core desorption by AGAT returned helium values up to 8.7% (87,327 ppm), averaging 4.4% (44,380 ppm) from nine samples.
Flow-test samples were obtained from an 8-metre-thick fractured interval from the uppermost portion of the basement complex, and the relatively clean gas composition (~90% hydrogen-nitrogen mix, with no hydrogen sulphide) clearly indicates a geological source for the hydrogen (high-purity Natural Hydrogen will be targeted at the apex of the structure, which is expected to be revealed through 3D seismic). After perforation, the well quickly achieved free gas flow to surface, delivering strong initial rates and pressures before being overtaken by a powerful influx of formation brine, demonstrating reservoir energy and connectivity.
Figure 2: Core Photo from Lawson Well
The consistency of results for flow-test samples across three independent laboratories provides MAX Power’s technical team with high confidence in assay accuracy and establishes a solid foundation for resource modelling and development planning.
Analytical work is ongoing including rock mineralogy studies as well as measurements of porosity and permeability.
Why This Matters to Investors
The Lawson discovery marks the transition of Natural Hydrogen in Canada from theory to verified subsurface reality as the first confirmed Natural Hydrogen system through deep drilling on a district-scale land package in one of the world’s most stable, infrastructure-rich resource jurisdictions. For MAX Power, this represents a pivotal inflection point building on the Company’s North American and global leadership in this rapidly evolving and exciting new sector.
With hydrogen-rich gas, reservoir drive, regional sealing structures, and multiple de-risked follow-up targets now identified, MAX Power has moved into the discovery and early development phase of what could become a new clean energy industry. Combined with strong financial backing, international strategic partners, and continued design and development of the Company’s AI-driven MAXX LEMI platform, MAX Power is positioned to advance toward repeatable discovery, scalable development, and long-term shareholder value creation.
MAX Power Enters Into Marketing Agreements
MAX Power has entered into agreements with three independent service providers to provide communications, digital marketing, and investor awareness support, subject to applicable securities laws and CSE policies and approval.
The Company has entered into a service agreement with Native Ads Inc. (“Native Ads”) to provide investor awareness and promotional services. Under the agreement, Native Ads will conduct a digital media and content distribution campaign intended to increase awareness and understanding of the Company and its efforts. The agreement contemplates an estimated six-month campaign period, subject to budget exhaustion, with an aggregate campaign budget of $165,000 (USD), payable in accordance with applicable work orders.
The campaign is expected to commence in the first quarter of 2026 and will include digital advertising across search engines, financial publications, and financial websites. The agreement contains no performance-based factors, and Native Ads will not receive any equity as compensation. Native Ads and the Company are unrelated and unaffiliated entities, and at the time of the agreement, neither Native Ads nor its principals hold any direct or indirect interest in the securities of the Company.
Contact information for Native Ads
244 Fifth Avenue, Suite N-249, New York, NY 10001
Phone: +1.877.773.3540
Principal: Jon Malach
Email: [email protected]
MAX Power has also entered into a communications services agreement with PONY Communications, a British Columbia-based firm, to provide public relations, content management, and media relations services. The agreement takes effect immediately for a fixed term ending March 29, 2026, with total fees of $130,000 (USD), payable in installments as set out in the applicable statement of work.
Contact information for PONY Communications
1166017 BC Ltd., dba PONY Communications
200 – 537 Leon Avenue, Kelowna, B.C. V1Y 2A9
Principal: Alexandra Pony
Email: [email protected]
MAX Power has also entered into a consulting agreement with Emerging Markets Consulting, LLC, a Florida-based consulting firm, pursuant to which the consultant will provide strategic communications and investor awareness support in connection with the dissemination of publicly available corporate information. The agreement commences immediately for a six-month term, with total fees of $150,000 (USD).
Contact information for Emerging Markets Consulting, LLC
Emerging Markets Consulting, LLC.
390 North Orange Avenue, Suite 2300
Orlando, FL 32801
Principal (CEO): James Painter
Email: [email protected]
The Company has also mutually agreed with Tafin GmbH to extend its existing consulting agreement for an additional eight-week term, effective January 2, 2026, for a total consideration of 200,000 euros, with all other terms of the agreement remaining unchanged.
All services provided under the foregoing agreements are subject to the Company’s internal disclosure controls and procedures, and materials disseminated on behalf of the Company are reviewed in accordance with applicable securities laws. None of the service providers are registered as securities dealers or advisers, and none will receive compensation based on the sale or trading of the Company’s securities.
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Figure 3: Evening Photo of Lawson Drilling Near Central Butte, SK
Recent Videos
MAX Power Leaps at Lawson
MAX Power drills into Natural Hydrogen in Canada’s first-ever dedicated Natural Hydrogen well:
Watch the Drill in Action
Video captures the historic start of drilling at Lawson on the Genesis Trend:
MAX Power Saskatchewan Natural Hydrogen Documentary Video
History in The Making at Lawson – Video Immediately Ahead of Drill Rig Setup
About MAX Power
MAX Power is an innovative mineral and energy exploration company focused on North America’s shift to decarbonization. The Company is a first mover in the rapidly growing Natural Hydrogen sector where it has built a dominant district-scale land position in Saskatchewan with approximately 1.3 million acres (521,000 hectares) of permits, plus an additional 5.7 million acres under application, covering prime exploration ground prospective for large-volume accumulations of Natural Hydrogen. Canada’s first-ever well specifically targeting Natural Hydrogen has been drilled by MAX Power at the Lawson target on the Genesis Trend, confirming a working subsurface system. MAX Power also holds a portfolio of properties in the United States and Canada focused on critical minerals. These properties are highlighted by a 2024 diamond drilling discovery at the Willcox Playa Lithium Project in southeast Arizona, 100%-owned by MAX Power’s U.S. subsidiary Homeland Critical Minerals Corp.
On behalf of the Board of Directors,
Ran Narayanasamy, CEO
MAX Power Mining Corp.
[email protected]
For further information, please contact:
Chad Levesque
Ph: 1-306-981-4753
Email: [email protected]
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information
This news release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws, which includes, without limitation, statements about: the interpretation of exploration and drilling results; the potential existence, size, continuity, recoverability, and commercial viability of Natural Hydrogen accumulations; the timing, scope, design, and success of anticipated appraisal, testing, and drilling programmes; the advancement of the Lawson discovery towards potential commercialisation; the development, integration, and prospective use of MAXX LEMI; and the Company’s broader Natural Hydrogen strategy.
Forward-looking information is based on management’s current expectations, estimates, projections, and assumptions, including, among other things, assumptions regarding the Company’s ability to execute its work programmes as planned, the availability and performance of equipment and personnel, regulatory timelines and approvals, geological continuity and reservoir characteristics, market conditions, and access to sufficient capital on acceptable terms.
Forward-looking information is inherently subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause actual results, performance, or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information, including, without limitation: exploration, appraisal, and development risks; the ability to obtain and maintain required permits and regulatory approvals in a timely manner; availability and cost of equipment and qualified personnel; geological, geophysical, and technical uncertainties; fluctuations in commodity and energy market prices; general economic conditions; and the Company’s ability to secure additional financing on acceptable terms. There can be no assurance that the Company will complete its planned drilling or related programmes as currently contemplated or within the anticipated timelines, or that any such programmes, if completed, will be successful or result in commercial production.
Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Forward-looking information in this news release is provided as of the date hereof, and the Company does not undertake any obligation to update or revise such information except in accordance with applicable securities laws. Additional information regarding risks and uncertainties applicable to the Company’s business is available under the Company’s profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.
Neither the CSE nor its Regulation Services Provider accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
[email protected]
MaxPowerMining.com
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