en.Wedoany.com Reported - Mantle8 has been granted exploration permits by the Spanish government to assess natural hydrogen and helium resources in the Navarre and Basque regions. The company is authorized to conduct non-invasive studies of natural hydrogen and helium within the permit areas, with the right to advance the work to full exploration permit stages.

The permit areas are located on the southern flank of the Pyrenees, with geological conditions similar to those assessed by Mantle8 through the Comminges permit on the French side of the mountain range. Leveraging its understanding of Pyrenean geology, Mantle8 will conduct non-invasive exploration within the permit areas, deploying its GeoLogix, HOREX, and APoGeH technologies, and processing data using the company's proprietary natural hydrogen technology stack to evaluate the potential for natural hydrogen accumulation in the region.

Emmanuel Masini, Founder and CEO of Mantle8, stated that the Navarre and Basque regions offer a rare combination of favorable geology and mature infrastructure, with strong industrial offtake potential in the area. He noted that the company's understanding of the region's geology and its hydrogen potential is already substantial, and they look forward to expanding their knowledge base through field work.

These permits reflect a policy shift across Europe, as governments seek to secure sovereign energy sources for sectors where electrification is not feasible. Demand for low-carbon hydrogen in heavy industry, transportation, and power generation continues to outpace supply, and natural hydrogen offers a domestic alternative that does not rely on imported feedstocks or large-scale renewable energy power infrastructure.

Masini added that natural hydrogen has the potential to become a strategic, sovereign, and clean resource for Europe, but regulatory gaps are slowing development. He believes Spanish regulators have made progress in adapting existing oil and gas regulations to include hydrogen, but further work is needed. The company welcomes clearer regulatory frameworks across Europe and will prioritize regions that offer the best opportunities to unlock resources.

These permits come during a period of rapid growth for Mantle8. The company completed a €31 million Series A funding round, the largest financing round among natural hydrogen exploration companies; received a €2.17 million grant from the French government to support technology stack development; and secured a five-year Hydrogeco exploration permit in the French Pyrenees. The company is expanding its global exploration projects and expects to obtain additional permits in the coming months.