- Vema’s engineered metallic hydrogen could supply regional industry and offshore export markets from the Pipestone XL project in central Newfoundland.
- The Pipestone Ophiolite Complex spans 30 kilometers of ultramafic rock and contains enough potential hydrogen to meet Newfoundland’s industrial demand for generations.
While hydrogen (“Vema”) today that it has entered into a non-binding letter of intent (“LOI”) with First Atlantic Nickel and Cobalt Company (TSXV: a fan | OTCCP: So stop | FSE: P21) (“First Atlantic”), to jointly develop engineered metallic hydrogen, or EMH, at the Pipestone XL project, a 30-kilometre-long ultramafic belt in central Newfoundland. Under the letter of intent, the parties intend to establish a 50/50 joint venture to produce low-carbon hydrogen alongside First Atlantic’s core nickel and cobalt programme. The partnership aims to serve as a first-of-its-kind model for combining hydrogen production and critical minerals development at ultra-mafic sites, with the potential to attract joint investments in clean fuels, ammonia and downstream industry.
““Vema’s engineered mineral hydrogen is poised to deliver clean energy on a cost-competitive scale with hydrocarbons,” said Dr. Douglas Weeks, strategic advisor to First Atlantic & Cobalt and former director of ARPA-E’s MINER program and hydrogen geosynthetic portfolio. “Awaruite is formed through serpentinization when hydrogen reduces nickel and iron, so its presence in Pipestone XL is a clear sign of a hydrogen-rich system. Vema’s technology can engineer the same reaction For hydrogen production, Pipestone XL is an ideal location given its size, proximity to infrastructure and potential for cost-effectiveness in co-locating hydrogen production with nickel and cobalt mining. Having worked closely with the founders of Vema since before the company was founded, and having seen first-hand how they developed the engineering approach to geological hydrogen, I believe Pipestone XL represents a compelling opportunity to bring this technology to commercial scale.
Over the past 12 months, FEMA has been working with First Atlantic to evaluate the Pipestone Ophiolite Complex, analyzing geological and geophysical data as well as infrastructure across the 30 km belt. Laboratory tests of Pipestone rock samples at the Vima Orleans facility in France have confirmed hydrogen production through catalytic serpentinization, indicating that the formation is well suited for EMH. Vema will benefit from the experience gained at its existing site in the Thetford Ophiolite in Quebec, where Vema operates the world’s first engineered metallic hydrogen project.
Newfoundland is an important region for critical minerals and clean energy development, but exploration and mining still consume a lot of energy. Engineered Mineral Hydrogen (EMH) produces hydrogen from iron-rich rocks through naturally occurring geochemical reactions, without the need for an electricity grid. Hydrogen produced locally at Pipestone could, over time, support the on-site energy needs of the large-scale nickel and cobalt mining region and related downstream industries.
Figure 1: Thin section analysis of Pipestone XL sample
“Vema operates the world’s first engineered metallic hydrogen project at the Thetford Ophiolite in Quebec. Rock samples collected during Vema’s site visit to Pipestone XL were tested at its laboratory in Orleans, France, confirming the hydrogen generation potential of the ultramafic host rock. Given the link between awarite and hydrogen formation, we are excited about the potential of Vema’s technology to maximize the value of our unique nickel-cobalt alloy project,” he said. Adrian Smith, P.Geo., CEO of First Atlantic.
The collaboration also allows the two companies to explore how locally produced hydrogen could reshape energy planning for remote industrial sites. By combining EMH supply with critical mineral development, the partners aim to demonstrate a model that enhances regional energy resilience while reducing reliance on long-distance fuel transportation.
“Engineered metallic hydrogen is a promising new primary energy source for regions with iron-rich rocks, such as Pipestone,” said Pierre Levine, CEO and co-founder of Vema Hydrogen. “Now, with validated rock samples and permits in place, we have a clear path to develop the EMH at Pipestone and to expand the model across North America.”
Awaruite (Ni₃Fe) is a magnetic alloy of nickel, iron, and cobalt (Ni-Fe-Co). The USGS has identified awarite as a potential solution to the nickel concentration deficiency, noting that it is much easier to concentrate than pentlandite, the major nickel sulfide. Its magnetic and metallic nature allows recovery by magnetic separation and flotation, without the smelting, roasting or acid leaching required by conventional nickel ores.
Figure 2. Aerial view of the first FEMA pilot in Quebec (Thetford Ophiolet)
About Hydrogen:
Vema Hydrogen is a producer of low-carbon hydrogen, providing a new path to a clean energy future. The company’s unique technology, engineered metallic hydrogen, harnesses chemical reactions that occur naturally below the Earth’s surface to produce high-purity hydrogen. By applying geoscience to eliminate production risks and ensure predictable and cost-competitive production, FEMA makes clean hydrogen a viable solution for large-scale industrial energy and basic energy needs. more https://www.vema.earth/.
About First Atlantic Nickel & Cobalt
First Atlantic Nickel & Cobalt Corp. (TSXV: FAN) (OTCQB: FANCF) (FSE: P21) is a significant mineral exploration company in Newfoundland and Labrador developing the Pipestone XL nickel-cobalt bullion project. The project spans the 30-kilometre-long Pipestone Ophiolite Complex, where multiple zones, including RPM, Alloy Max, Super Gulp, Atlantic Lake and Chrome Pond, contain awarite (Ni₃Fe), a naturally occurring magnetic alloy of nickel, iron and cobalt that is approximately 77% nickel with no sulfur or sulphides, along with secondary chromium mineralization. Awaruite’s sulfur-free formulation eliminates acid mine drainage (AMD) hazards, while its unique magnetic properties enable processing through magnetic separation, eliminating the electrical requirements, emissions, and environmental impacts of traditional smelting, roasting, or high-pressure acid leaching while reducing reliance on offshore nickel processing infrastructure.
Media Contact:
Mission control for Vima Hydrogen
For more information about First Atlantic Nickel & Cobalt, contact:
First Atlantic Investor Relations
Robert Guzman
Tel: +1 844 592 6337
(email protected)
Qualified person
Adrian Smith, P.Geo., Director and CEO of First Atlantic is a qualified person as defined in NI 43-101. The qualified person is a member in good standing of the Society of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Newfoundland and Labrador (PEGNL) and is a Registered Professional Geoscientist (P.Geo.). Mr. Smith has reviewed and approved the technical information disclosed herein.
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
Cautionary note regarding forward-looking information
This news release contains “forward-looking information” within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking information in this press release includes, but is not limited to, statements regarding the proposed joint venture between Vema and First Atlantic Nickel; Potential development of EMH at the Pipestone XL project; the potential production, use and commercialization of hydrogen from the project; potential integration of hydrogen production with First Atlantic’s nickel and cobalt programme; the potential for hydrogen production locally to support on-site energy needs, regional industry or export markets; Ability to attract co-location investments in clean fuels, ammonia or downstream industries; the potential scalability of the model across North America; And the expected benefits from cooperation.
Forward-looking information is based on a number of assumptions that management considers reasonable as of the date of this news release, including assumptions regarding the validity of laboratory test results; the geological suitability of EMH’s Pipestone XL project; the parties’ ability to negotiate and enter into final agreements; Availability of required permits, approvals, financing, equipment, personnel and infrastructure; future technical and economic feasibility of the EMH at Pipestone; And the continued development of market demand for low-carbon hydrogen and important minerals.
Forward-looking information is 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. These risks and uncertainties include, among others, the risk that the parties will not enter into definitive agreements or complete the proposed joint venture; The early-stage nature of EMH and the Pipestone XL project; risks related to exploration, development, licensing, financing, construction and operation; uncertainty regarding technical, geological, mineralogical, geochemical and commercial results; changes in commodity, energy or hydrogen markets; Regulatory and environmental risks; infrastructure and supply chain risks; and general economic, market and business conditions.
Although the parties believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking information are reasonable, no assurance can be given that such expectations will prove to be correct. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The forward-looking information in this press release is made as of the date hereof, and the parties undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, except as required by applicable securities laws.
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