Element One Hydrogen & Critical Minerals Corp. has entered into a non-binding letter of intent with French natural hydrogen exploration company Mantle8 SAS to evaluate and advance prospective exploration opportunities in British Columbia and Alberta.

The proposed collaboration establishes a framework to combine Mantle8's proprietary exploration technology stack—including its GeoLogix geological modelling, HOREX subsurface imaging, and APoGeH hydrogen-system assessment tools—with Element One's regional exploration capabilities, permitting experience, and stakeholder relationships.

The companies are operating under an initial 120-day exclusivity period, which includes an automatic 60-day extension if negotiations continue in good faith. Within 30 days of executing the letter of intent, the parties intend to determine an initial area of interest limited to non-stimulated natural hydrogen plays. Project ownership, funding commitments, governance, and commercialization terms remain subject to negotiation and the execution of a definitive joint venture agreement.

The initiative builds on Element One's broader corporate positioning following its rebrand from Buscando Resources Corp. in October 2025 and its acquisition of the 2,758-hectare HY project in November 2025 to target natural hydrogen generated through the serpentinization of ultramafic rocks in the Omineca Mining District of British Columbia.

“Mantle8 is the natural hydrogen industry's most technically advanced exploration companies, and its decision to work with Element One in Canada is a significant validation of our team, our regional capabilities and the opportunity we see in Western Canada,” said Brad Kitchen, President and Chief Executive Officer of Element One. “This proposed partnership would give Element One access to an integrated technology platform designed specifically to identify natural hydrogen systems and rank the targets with the strongest potential. Together, we intend to build a disciplined pipeline of exploration opportunities, beginning in British Columbia and Alberta.”

“As we expand and diversify our exploration portfolio, Canada stands out for its combination of highly prospective geology, deep technical expertise, established resource-development capabilities and growing hydrogen demand,” said Emmanuel Masini, CEO of Mantle8 . “Canada's increasingly clear and supportive regulatory environment further strengthens its ability to attract the long-term investment required to advance emerging resource opportunities. What makes Western Canada particularly compelling is the scale of the opportunity: we see the potential for a play-opening exploration program that could unlock multiple prospects across a vast area, providing a pathway to regional scalability.”

Element One and Mantle8 intend to establish a technical working group and finalize their target areas as discussions progress.

Read the full announcement: Element One and Mantle8 Sign Letter of Intent to Advance Natural Hydrogen Exploration in Western Canada