Quebec Innovative Materials Corp. (CSE: QIMC) has announced the extension of diamond drill hole DDH-26-05 at its Bennett Hill project in Nova Scotia to a planned depth of more than 1,000 metres, alongside the launch of an in-situ hydrogen characterization and extraction program. The company says the move marks a major milestone in its transition from exploration toward in-situ clean natural hydrogen production. Drilling is scheduled to resume in November 2026, with Strum Consulting of Halifax engaged to lead the hydrogeological characterization work.

Key Points

  • Quebec Innovative Materials Corp. (CSE: QIMC, OTCQB: QIMCF, FSE: 7FJ)
  • DDH-26-05 at Bennett Hill, Nova Scotia, to be extended beyond 1,000 metres to intersect a principal fault identified on seismic Line 1
  • Mud-gas headspace hydrogen readings reached 30.0% at 413 metres in DDH-26-05; DDH-26-04 recorded 24.3% H₂ at 707 metres
  • Investors may be watching for results from the in-situ characterization program and laboratory porosity and permeability data, which remain pending

DDH-26-05 Extension Targets Principal Fault at Depth

DDH-26-05 was paused at approximately 416 metres after pressurized free gas and a mud-gas headspace hydrogen reading of 30.0% at 413 metres. The extension, to be carried out by Maritime Drilling, will push the hole beyond 1,000 metres — approximately 945 metres vertical — to intersect the principal south-dipping fault imaged on processed seismic Line 1. The extension is designed to establish the depth, width, and character of that fault, further calibrate the seismic dataset, and carry the hole into the deep altered zone previously identified in DDH-26-04, allowing direct comparison between the two holes at depth for the first time.

Bennett Hill's Layered Architecture Informed by DDH-26-04

Completed in July 2026 at 818 metres, DDH-26-04 defined a vertically layered system at Bennett Hill: a fractured upper corridor to approximately 250 metres, a competent low-porosity syenogranite block from roughly 250 to 640 metres interpreted as a confining layer, and a deep altered zone below 665 metres returning the hole's strongest readings of 12.4% to 24.3% hydrogen between 665 and 707 metres. Both holes have produced pressurized water at surface during drilling, consistent with a connected, confined, and artesian system. Laboratory porosity and permeability results on core from both holes remain pending.

Seismic Corroborates Two Distinct Hydrogen Systems Along the Cobequid Corridor

QIMC's 2026 seismic program supports the company's model of two separate hydrogen settings in Nova Scotia. The Cobequid Highlands host a fault-bound hybrid hydrogeological system at Bennett Hill, where hydrogen is interpreted to occur both dissolved in formation water and as free gas in open fractures. To the north and east, the Cumberland Basin presents a conventional reservoir-and-seal system where hydrogen, helium, and thermogenic gas rising along faults may accumulate beneath salt and shale membranes. The company states it is pursuing both targets with methods suited to each geological setting.

In-Situ Characterization Program Marks Shift Toward Production Testing

Strum Consulting has been engaged to manage well control, hydrogeological measurement, sampling, and post-drilling testing for the characterization program. The company notes that existing mud-gas readings are preliminary and do not establish in-situ dissolved hydrogen concentrations, formation pressure, sustained flow rates, or recoverable volumes. No resource or reserve has been defined for the Bennett Hill project, and the company cautions that no conclusions on commercial viability can be drawn until the characterization program is complete. The immediate share price impact was not clear from available public information.