Scientists Identify Potential Natural Hydrogen Resource Beneath Western Australia

Beneath Western Australia's Pilbara region, vast iron ore deposits containing magnetite could hold more than raw material for industry.

Researchers say magnetite-rich banded iron formations in Western Australia's Pilbara region could have potential for naturally occurring hydrogen production.

Research from Edith Cowan University (ECU) suggests the mineral may help generate naturally occurring hydrogen, a potential energy resource that could eventually contribute to Australia's domestic energy supply and export industry, SciTechDaily reported.

Magnetite can produce hydrogen gas when it reacts with hot water deep underground.

Researchers at ECU's School of Engineering have also identified a way to stimulate the process by injecting a solution into banded iron formations, potentially increasing the amount of naturally occurring hydrogen that could be produced and recovered.

“Australia could be sitting on a massive, untapped energy reserve—and the potential is enormous,” Associate Professor Alireza Keshavarz said.

“There is enough hydrogen for Australia to benefit for generations, and potentially enough for us to become a major exporter of clean energy to the rest of the world.”

To investigate whether the process could work under realistic subsurface conditions, researchers placed magnetite samples in water at 200°C and under high pressure for 60 days, replicating conditions found deep beneath Earth's surface.

The experiments provided evidence of how natural hydrogen can form underground and the conditions that may allow production to continue.

However, the research remains at the experimental stage, and further work is needed to determine whether the process can be developed economically at commercial scale.

“Western Australia has some of the world's largest banded iron formations. If we can unlock this resource at scale, it could be transformative for our energy future,” lead author Kaveh Moghanirahimi said.

“We even see the potential for Western Australia to strengthen its energy independence during times of crisis through access to this naturally generated hydrogen.”