Primary Hydrogen Corp. (TSXV: HDRO) has commenced its maiden drill program at the Wicheeda North rare earth element project in British Columbia, marking the first drilling ever undertaken on the property. The approximately 1,500-metre program targets a northwest-trending soil anomaly identified through two phases of sampling totalling 1,131 samples and a September 2026 airborne radiometric survey. The program is fully funded from the company's existing treasury, which investors may view as a near-term catalyst for the junior exploration company.

Key Points

  • Primary Hydrogen Corp. (TSXV: HDRO | FSE: 83W | OTCQB: HNATF) announced the start of drilling at Wicheeda North, British Columbia
  • The maiden drill program comprises approximately 1,500 metres across about seven holes of roughly 300 metres each
  • Phase 2 soil sampling returned a peak of 932.21 ppm total rare earth elements plus yttrium; the program is fully funded from existing treasury
  • Investors should watch for assay results once samples are returned and interpreted from ALS Canada Ltd.

Wicheeda North Drill Program Details and Contractor Roles

Radius Drilling Corp. of Prince George, British Columbia is executing the diamond drill program, with geological supervision provided by Tripoint Geological Services Ltd. The approximately seven holes are oriented to the northeast to cross the northwest-trending soil anomaly. The release states that hole locations and orientations may change as the program proceeds. Samples will be submitted to ALS Canada Ltd. in North Vancouver for assaying, with results to be reported once received and interpreted. The program holds a five-year Mines Act permit authorising surface drilling at up to 70 sites, expiring in 2031.

Soil Sampling Anomalies That Defined the Drill Target

The 2026 summer exploration program collected 1,131 soil samples across two phases. Phase 1 covered 439 samples, with 11 returning more than 300 ppm TRE+Y and a maximum of 484.69 ppm, outlining a linear northwest-southeast trend. Phase 2 covered 692 samples, with 37 exceeding 300 ppm TRE+Y, including a single eastern-grid sample of 932.21 ppm. The southwestern grid produced the highest median of the 2026 grids at 241.9 ppm and accounted for 24 of the 37 Phase 2 samples above 300 ppm. The company is evaluating the southwestern area as a potential target for a subsequent program.

Carbonatite Interpretation and Acknowledged Geological Uncertainties

Primary Hydrogen interprets the northwest-trending anomaly as potentially representing carbonatite-hosted rare earth mineralization buried beneath glacial cover — the same style of deposit found approximately five kilometres to the southeast at the Wicheeda deposit held by Defense Metals Corp., in which Primary Hydrogen has no interest. The company acknowledges alternative explanations, including rare earth enrichment within host phyllite, glacial transport of material, fault structures with no mineralisation, and moisture-related soil chemistry variation. No carbonatite has been observed in outcrop on the property, and no mineral resource has been estimated.

Property Overview and Option Structure

Wicheeda North comprises nine contiguous mineral claims totalling 2,138 hectares in British Columbia's northern Cariboo Mining Division. Primary Hydrogen holds an option to acquire a 75% interest in the property. The current drill program is fully funded from the company's existing treasury. The immediate share price impact was not clear from available public information. The qualified person for the technical disclosure is Darcy Vis, B.Sc., P.Geo., President of Tripoint Geological Services Ltd., who is not independent of the company as Tripoint serves as exploration contractor.