MAX Power Mining Corp. (CSE: MAXX; OTC: MAXXF) has confirmed a new natural hydrogen system at its Lawson 5 well in Saskatchewan, a 30-kilometre step-out from the original Lawson Complex near Central Butte, with the company now reporting active, generative hydrogen systems across three distinct areas spanning more than 365 kilometres.

Drilling at Lawson 5 reached a total depth of 2,175 metres and recovered 62 metres of core before the well was successfully cased. The company said the lowermost Deadwood Formation and Precambrian basement complex exhibited more pronounced iron redox, alteration and serpentinization reactions than anywhere else on the property to date, including strong hematite oxidation associated with elevated natural hydrogen levels along sub-vertical faults.

The overlying Lower Interlake Formation also contained helium-prospective zones that will be examined during upcoming completions.

Steve Halabura, MAX Power’s chief geologist, said the relationship between Lawson 5 and the original complex remains to be established. “Whether we’ve hit an entirely separate natural hydrogen system at L-5, or whether this is connected to the Lawson Complex, will be determined through more drilling and geophysical work we’ll be undertaking to optimize our understanding of the local and regional faulting and fracture systems,” he said.

The company has already moved a follow-up well, Lawson 6, approximately eight kilometres southeast of the new discovery.

“Further expansion of the natural hydrogen opportunity in Saskatchewan speaks to both the favorable geology in this resource-rich province and the dedication and skill of our entire team,” said CEO Rob Norris. “We’re excited to see what Lawson 6 brings.”

Alongside drilling, MAX Power has launched a completions programme starting at its Bracken target in southwestern Saskatchewan, to be followed by flow, concentration and volume testing at the Lawson Complex. The company describes the transition as pivotal — moving from confirming the presence of hydrogen to assessing commercial viability, in pursuit of what it calls the world’s first large-scale commercial natural hydrogen discovery.

Lawson is located about 80 kilometres north of Moose Jaw and is part of MAX Power’s Genesis project, which the company says hosts Canada’s first confirmed subsurface natural hydrogen system. MAX Power holds approximately 2.5 million permitted acres prospective for natural hydrogen in Saskatchewan.

Shares in MAX Power rose 4.31% in Toronto trading on Tuesday following the announcement. The company will present at the Planet MicroCap Showcase on October 28 and the Red Cloud Fall Mining Showcase on October 29, both in Toronto.