MAX Power Mining has signed an MOU with the City of Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, to advance natural hydrogen commercialisation in the Regina–Moose Jaw Industrial Corridor, centred on the Lawson Natural Hydrogen system near Central Butte, about 80 km northwest of the city. Core desorption tests from nine samples in Cambrian Basal sands above the Basement Complex discovery returned helium values up to 8.7%, averaging 4.4%, indicating a potentially valuable hydrogen–helium system. The partners aim to leverage existing regional infrastructure and policy support to move the project towards commercial validation.

Water scarcity and multi‑year permitting delays—often two to four years for discharge and dewatering approvals in the western US—are increasingly stalling otherwise bankable mines, with water risk now affecting project schedules, financing and national credit profiles. Consultants such as Woodard & Curran report that “credible water stories” are becoming as critical as ore grades, pushing operators towards closed‑loop recycling and non‑traditional sources. US firms Genesis Systems and Atoco are deploying atmospheric water generation units, including Genesis’ containerised WaterCube systems producing over 1,000 gallons per day off‑grid, now trialled at mine sites.

Nouveau Monde Graphite has approved construction of the Matawinie open-pit mine in Saint-Michel-des-Saints, Quebec, designed to produce about 106,000 tonnes per year of graphite concentrate over more than 25 years and powered by the provincial hydroelectric grid. The company has secured roughly $644.5 million in equity and debt, with total capex for Matawinie and the Bécancour battery material plant now estimated at about $634 million after downsizing the plant from the 2025 feasibility study. A 30‑month build is planned to reach full production by end‑2028, with 75% of output under offtake, including a seven‑year, 30,000‑t/y fixed‑price contract with the Government of Canada.