Developing a US expansion strategy through state-zoned township assets in the Duluth complex and the Mesabi Iron Range
Quebec Innovative Materials Company (Private search engine: QIMC) (Otkbk: QIMCF) (FSE: 7FJ) (“QIMC” or the “Company”) is pleased to announce that its US subsidiary Orvian Natural Resources LLC (“Orvian”) has received registration from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (“DNR”) allowing the Company to commence subsurface exploratory drilling activities in Minnesota.
Highlight
- Orvian Natural Resources LLC has obtained a DNR registration in Minnesota allowing for subsurface exploratory drilling
- It enables advances in field verification and subsurface testing across the company’s ground-based site in Minnesota
- The land package was secured through state-issued Regional Geological Resource Allocation (RGRA) township grants
- Targeting mafic and ultramafic geological systems within the Duluth Complex and Mesabi Iron Range
- The Phased Exploration Program progresses from data integration to phased field programmes
The filing enables Orvian to formally advance subsurface exploration activities across its onshore site in Minnesota, including areas within the Duluth Complex and Mesabi Iron Range, where the Company previously obtained exploration rights through Regional Geological Resource Allocation (“RGRA”) township grants.
CEO Comment
“Receiving the Orvian registration from the Minnesota DNR represents an important milestone in the development of our exploration strategy in the United States,” said John Karagianidis, CEO of QIMC. “RGRA allocations have provided us with access to a large, contiguous terrestrial site in a favorable geological environment. With this registration, we can now systematically move from data integration to field verification and subsurface testing. Minnesota has the size, geological properties and infrastructure to support a useful component of our North American exploration portfolio.”
Identify strategic locations in a geological environment favorable to the United States
QIMC has previously identified Minnesota as a jurisdiction with favorable geological characteristics for natural hydrogen and associated energy systems. Through its U.S. subsidiary Orvian, the company has secured access to several RGRA towns in St. Louis County.
This large-scale mafic-ultramafic geological system is known for its iron-rich lithology and regionally extensive structural networks. The Company views Minnesota as a region-wide exploration opportunity within a stable, well-defined regulatory environment.
Apply the R2G2™ exploration model
QIMC applies its proprietary Reactivated Rift and Graben Geostructure (R2G2™) model – developed in collaboration with the National Institute of Scientific Research (INRS) – to guide exploration targeting in Minnesota.
The R2G2™ framework integrates the following:
- Reactivation of fault and rift structures
- Structural redundancy and fragmentation
- Geochemical indicators including hydrogen, helium and associated gases
- Multi-layered geophysical datasets, including gravity and magnetic surveys
Technical Rationale – Minnesota as a high-potential target
QIMC’s entry into Minnesota is supported by its explanation that the Duluth complex and the surrounding Mesabi Iron Range region exhibit characteristics consistent with environments where natural hydrogen systems may exist.
These include:
- Mafic and ultramafic rocks rich in iron and BIF rich in magnetite and manganese oxide are conducive to hydrogen generation reactions.
- Deep-rooted structural systems and reactivated fault networks
- Regional tectonic architecture consistent with the R2G2™ model
- Down-rooted fault corridors capable of supporting vertical migration of gas
These interpretations are supported by similar geological settings where the occurrence of hydrogen in mafic and ultramafic systems has been documented.
Scientific commentary
“The geological conditions observed within the Duluth Complex indicate the presence of extensive mafic and ultramafic systems intersected by deep structural corridors that show evidence of complex tectonic evolution. In the same way, magnetite-rich taconites are sources with a high potential for hydrogen production at lower temperatures than olivine-rich rocks. These features are consistent with geological environments where hydrogen generation and migration processes may occur. Applying an integrated structural and geochemical approach, such as the R2G2™ model, provides a rational framework for determining Prioritize goals within this unexplored area.
– Professor Marc Richer Lafèche, National Institute for Scientific Research (INRS)
Next Steps – Exploring Minnesota Program
After receiving the DNR registration, Orvian will begin a phased exploration program across the RGRA town land site.
Phase 1 – Data integration and targeting
- Compilation and integration of historical geological, geophysical and geochemical data sets
- Apply the R2G2™ model to identify priority structural corridors
- The target classification is based on fault geometry, lithology, and basin-wide structural trends
The second stage – domain validation
- Soil gas sampling programs target hydrogen, helium and associated gases
- Radon and thoron surveys to identify deep source active discharge paths
- Deploy mobile geophysical surveys (gravity and magnetic) to improve subsurface structures
Stage 3 – Subsurface testing
- Executing exploratory drilling programs under DNR registration
- Downhole gas measurements and dissolved gas analysis
- Integrate the results into a 3D geological and structural model
About Quebec Innovative Materials Company (QIMC)
Québec Innovative Materials Corp. is a North American exploration and development company developing a portfolio of natural hydrogen and significant minerals projects. The company is developing its model for regional hydrogen exploration across Quebec, Ontario, Nova Scotia and Minnesota (USA), leveraging its R2G2™ framework developed in collaboration with INRS. QIMC is committed to sustainable development, environmental stewardship and innovation with the aim of supporting clean energy and decarbonisation initiatives.
Disclaimer
Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its regulation services provider accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
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 news release and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the Company’s actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied. There can be no assurance that exploration activities will lead to the identification of economically recoverable resources.
Forward-looking statements are generally identified by words such as “anticipates,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “intends,” “estimates,” “projects,” “potential” and similar expressions, or by expressions 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.
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