Québec Innovative Materials Discovers Major Methane Anomaly in New Salem Zone
Québec Innovative Materials Corp. has uncovered promising results from a recent soil-gas survey at its New Salem zone. Conducted in November 2025, the study revealed a methane-rich anomaly stretching over 450 metres. The findings also included elevated levels of ethane, propane, butane, and helium, suggesting potential underground resources.
The company, which specialises in natural hydrogen and critical mineral exploration, now plans further geochemical and geophysical work to refine drill targets in the area. The survey focused on a 1.5 km section crossing the faulted boundary between the Rapid Brook and Ragged Reef Formations. At station QIMC-ARE-1050, methane concentrations peaked at 87.68 ppmv, the highest recorded in the study. Alongside this, the combined C2-C4 fraction reached 2.31 ppmv, indicating a possible thermogenic source for the gas.
Every sample collected showed helium levels above atmospheric background, ranging from 5.306 ppmv to 5.722 ppmv, with an average of 5.456 ppmv. GeoFrontiers Corporation independently analysed all samples, confirming the results. The company's EL56912 licence area covers roughly 100 km² offshore in Nova Scotia's Scotian Margin, near established projects like ExxonMobil's Deep Panuke gas field and Shell's Paranorth exploration wells.
Québec Innovative Materials Corp. believes these results justify additional surveys to assess the New Salem zone's potential. Follow-up work will include geophysical studies and the definition of precise drill targets. The survey's high methane, ethane, and helium readings point to possible subsurface accumulations in the New Salem zone. With external verification of the data, the company will now move forward with further exploration. The next steps involve refining targets for potential drilling and expanding geochemical analysis in the area.
