London-based Bluejay Mining has commenced an exploration programme to evaluate the potential deposits of natural hydrogen in Finland’s Outokumpu region. 

Last month, the company said it found evidence of “high concentrations” of natural hydrogen and helium in the area. Gas sampling from the existing 2.5 kilometres-deep Outokumpu deep drillhole returned up to 46% hydrogen in gas samples from saline groundwater, Kallanish understands. 

Samples from the borehole – drilled in 2004-2005 by NEDRA for the Geological Survey of Finland – also recorded concentrations of up to 5.6% helium and up to 5.03% lithium, Bluejay says. 

The company has now started “low-cost and wide-ranging” work programmes to further evaluate the deposits. Activities involve reviewing historical data from the existing 2,000 boreholes, which will help fast-track gas assessment across Bluejay’s 40 km licencing area. The firm will also conduct further sampling and testing to measure the concentrations of the gases in the drill holes.  

Eric Sondergaard, managing director of Bluejay Mining says the preliminary indications of helium, hydrogen and industrial gases in the Outokumpu Belt are “very encouraging,” presenting a “significant opportunity” for the company’s shareholders.

“This first pass evaluation of surface expressions of naturally occurring helium and hydrogen will allow us to assess the conditions of existing boreholes, and focus further phases of work,” the executive explains. “This encouraging opportunity is made possible by the vast datasets of high-quality historical data the company has absorbed recently and the availability of numerous pre-existing deep drillholes, positioning us to potentially unlock substantial value for our shareholders for minimal cost and no dilution.”

Bluejay says the Outokumpu area has similar geological characteristics to the Lorraine region in France, which holds the world’s largest known deposit of natural hydrogen.