As the world searches for low-emission energy sources, researchers have identified a potentially important source of clean energy beneath Western Australia’s red soil.
Beneath Western Australia’s Pilbara region, vast iron ore deposits contain magnetite that may do more than supply raw material for industry. Research from Edith Cowan University (ECU) suggests the mineral could also help generate naturally occurring hydrogen, a resource researchers say could eventually contribute to Australia’s energy supply and export industry.
Magnetite can produce hydrogen gas when it reacts with hot water deep underground. ECU School of Engineering researchers have also identified a way to stimulate that process by injecting a solution into banded iron formations, potentially increasing the amount of natural hydrogen that could be accessed.
“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.”
Hot water recreated deep underground conditions
To investigate whether the process could work under realistic subsurface conditions, researchers placed magnetite samples in water at 200°C and high pressure for 60 days, recreating conditions found deep beneath Earth’s surface.
The experiments provided detailed evidence about how natural hydrogen can form underground and what conditions are needed for production to continue.
“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.”
Water access may control hydrogen production
Professor Stefan Iglauer, from ECU’s School of Engineering, said the results bring laboratory research a step closer to natural hydrogen exploration in real geological settings.
“This work helps bridge the gap between laboratory experiments and real geological systems,” Professor Iglauer said.
“Our findings show that hydrogen production depends not only on the amount of magnetite present, but also on how easily water can access fresh mineral surfaces through fractures, pores, and permeable pathways.”
Reference: “Geometry-driven controls on hydrothermal natural hydrogen generation from magnetite mineral” by Kaveh Moghanirahimi, Lionel Esteban, Valeriya Shulakova, Muhammad Ali, Stefan Iglauer and Alireza Keshavarz, 24 February 2026, International Journal of Hydrogen Energy.
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2026.154187
The researchers received support from the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) through a CSIRO PhD Scholarship, as well as funding from the Australian Research Council under grant DP220102907.
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