Australia’s red soil may be hiding a massive source of clean hydrogen

A team at Edith Cowan University worked with magnetite from banded iron formations in the Pilbara region. In the laboratory, the mineral was heated to about 200 °C under high pressure—conditions similar to those found deep underground. When it came into contact with hot water, the magnetite released hydrogen.

It was further found that the process can be stimulated. If solutions are injected into the rock, the gas output increases. But the decisive role is played not only by the amount of magnetite. Water must reach fresh mineral surfaces. That means fractures, pores, and permeable pathways matter. The geometry of the rock, in essence, governs how much hydrogen can be produced.

Pilbara is one of the world’s largest deposits of such formations. If the laboratory mechanism works in a real well, Australia will gain another trump card for the domestic market and for hydrogen exports. The authors see this as a chance to strengthen the country’s energy independence.

For now, we are talking about controlled experiments on samples. Between a high-pressure chamber and industrial extraction lies a large distance. It is necessary to understand how to extract the gas consistently in natural reservoirs and how economically viable this will be. But the very fact that “rusty” rock can be not only ore, but also a source of clean fuel, looks promising.

Sources:

1. Edith Cowan University. "Australia’s red soil may be hiding a massive clean energy source." ScienceDaily (29 August 2026).
2. Moghanirahimi K. et al. "Geometry-driven controls on hydrothermal natural hydrogen generation from magnetite mineral." International Journal of Hydrogen Energy (2026). DOI: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2026.154187.

Photo: Edith Cowan University