# Iron-Rich Rocks in Western Australia Could Naturally Produce Hydrogen

*2026-08-30 10:01 UTC · Science · 1 min read*

> Edith Cowan University researchers found that magnetite in Western Australia's Pilbara region reacts with hot underground water to naturally generate hydrogen gas, pointing to a possible new clean-energy source.

Researchers at Edith Cowan University (ECU) have identified a potentially major clean-energy source beneath Western Australia's Pilbara region, where vast magnetite-rich iron ore formations may naturally generate hydrogen gas underground.

In lab experiments, the ECU team exposed magnetite samples to water at 200°C under high pressure for 60 days to mimic deep underground conditions, confirming that the mineral reacts with hot water to release hydrogen. They also found that injecting a solution into banded iron formations could stimulate and boost the reaction, hinting at a way to deliberately enhance production rather than just rely on what occurs naturally.

The researchers caution that yield depends on more than how much magnetite is present — rock permeability is critical, since water needs to reach fresh mineral surfaces through fractures and pores to keep the reaction going. If the process can be scaled up, the Pilbara's enormous iron formations could become a significant low-emission energy source for Australia and a future hydrogen export industry. The study was published in the International Journal of Hydrogen Energy.

## Sources

- [ecu.edu.au](https://www.ecu.edu.au/newsroom/articles/research/green-hydrogen-goldmine-ecu-researchers-discover-hidden-energy-source)
- [sciencedaily.com](https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260829035214.htm)

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TechTools News · https://techtools.cz/tools/news/article/2281-iron-rich-rocks-in-western-australia-could-naturally-produce-hydrogen
Česká verze: https://techtools.cz/tools/news/clanek/2354-zelezite-horniny-v-zapadni-australii-by-mohly-prirozene-vyrabet-vodik